Many Farms girls turn back Rock Point to improve to 2-0

ROCK POINT, Ariz. – The Many Farms girls basketball team had a few breaks go its way on Friday night against the Rock Point Lady Cougars.

The Lady Lobos faced a four-point deficit with just over three minutes left but the nature of the game turned as Rock Point lost the service of veteran guard Tayleen Woody.

With that, Many Farms posted a 45-41 come-from-behind win as the Lobos closed out the freedom game on a 10-2 run with senior guard Raelene Harvey scoring four of her game-best 12 points during that pivotal stretch.

“I’m just proud of my team,” said first-year Many Farms head coach Kahia Lemothe, whose team improved to 2-0 overall. “It wasn’t a perfect game, but Rock Point had two girls that fouled out. They were key players for them, and in the end their foul trouble helped us out.”

With Woody sitting on the sidelines, the Cougars had a tough time in setting up their offense. In those final three minutes, Rock Point turned over the ball five times.

“I think turnovers killed us,” longtime Rock Point coach Andrew Reed said. “We even missed 15 free throws. That is something that we need to fix, but I think this game gives us an idea of where we’re at.”

Reed said it’s very uncharacteristic to miss that many free throws. In addition, the Cougars had 27 turnovers for the contest.

“When we did everything right, we had the upper hand,” Reed said. “I told my girls that we need to fix our free throws and we need to fix our turnovers.”

The Rock Point coach cited the rebounding battle as Many Farms had second, third chance opportunities.

“We have to work on boxing out,” Reed said. “We got to box them out.”

While Rock Point missed 15 free throws, Many Farms shot a lot worse as the Lobos converted 11-of-33 from the charity line.

Despite a dismal effort from the charity stripe, Lemothe liked the fact that her team was getting to the foul line.

“That just shows that we were aggressive,” the Many Farms coach said. “In the second half we made some adjustments, to where we were attacking to the basket more.

“Offensively, we do have some set plays, but when you see an open lane you need to attack the basket,” she added. “The thing is we can’t be afraid. Attacking the basket is what we preach, and they executed that.”

In addition to Harvey, Many Farms also had senior post Jillian Begay in double figures as she scored 10.

The two players are part of four-player core that played under then-coach Tracy Todecheene last season. The other returners include Abrianna Chato and Lavonna Ben.

“He built this team,” Lamothe said of her predecessor. “He built these girls into who they are now and they’re our core players.

“They feed off each other,” she added. “We preach that everyone is at the same level. No one is higher than the other. We’re all here because we want to succeed.”

For Rock Point, Woody scored 10 while senior Jasmine Shorty and freshman Anaysha Becenti scored nine apiece.

“Tayleen and Jasmine are my two returning players, and the rest are all new to this level,” the Rock Point coach said. “But as far as them being new to this level, they really stepped up.”

Reed was pleased with the offensive production from Becenti, as the freshman forward nailed all of her points from beyond the arc.

“She’s a shooter and we’re going to use her more,” Reed said. “At the same time she’ll post up, so she does everything.”

Although he’s lost a handful of players from last year’s squad, Reed said the expectations remain the same as the Cougars will be vying for another 1A North crown after finishing second last season. Prior to last season, Rock Point had won four straight 1A North crowns.

“We’re gonna continue to do well in the 1A North,” Reed said. “I told my girls, don’t think that we’re in 1A. I want you to play like we’re 2A, 3A schools. I think in another two, three weeks you’ll see a different squad. We just need to dominant the 1A school.”

The two teams are entered in the upcoming Southwest Food Excellence Winter Classic, which is hosted by Chinle. They are paired up to meet in the first round on Dec. 19.

“We’re gonna have a rematch with them,” Reed said. “We’re gonna approach that game differently.”

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