Mustangs continue winning streak, dominate Navajo Prep

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

FARMINGTON – The Monument Valley girls basketball team are off to a 3-0 start, securing another road victory by defeating Navajo Prep, 59-34, in front of a packed crowd at Eagle Nest Gym in Farmington on Tuesday night.

Senior guard Latisha Mutte and junior point guard Kanon Dalton combined for 34 points, leading all scorers for Monument Valley. Dalton finished with 18 and Mutte added 16.

The game remained close through the first half, but Monument Valley broke it open in the third quarter with a dominant defensive performance. Senior forward Lailah McGary was the lone scorer for Navajo Prep in the quarter, contributing six points as the Mustangs locked down on defense.

The opening quarter ended in a 10-10 tie as both teams exchanged baskets and settled into their offensive rhythms. Freshman guard Megan Sandoval and Dalton led the way for Monument Valley with four points each, while McGary hit a three-pointer to lead Navajo Prep.

In the final two minutes of the quarter, the Lady Eagles pulled ahead 10-4 after senior Eva Poyer hit a jumper from the free-throw line.

However, Monument Valley responded with a six-point run, fueled by a relentless full-court press. The Mustangs converted three consecutive steals into points in the final 45 seconds, with Dalton and Mutte capitalizing on the turnovers. A last-second three-pointer by Mutte was waved off due to a traveling violation.

Monument Valley outscored Navajo Prep 16-11 in the second quarter, building a lead they would not relinquish. Dalton canned a three-pointer and added a field goal for five points, while Mutte contributed four.

For Navajo Prep, senior forward Shiloh Conn led with four points, and McGary added three. After being down six points early on, Monument Valley came up with a 55-point surge and outscored Navajo Prep 24 the rest of the way thanks to their stifling defense.

That Mustangs turned the game into a defensive showcase in the third quarter, holding Navajo Prep to just six points. McGary accounted for all of Navajo Prep’s scoring, sinking a three-pointer and going 3-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Monument Valley’s defense forced missed shots and turnovers, leading to a nine-minute scoring drought for Navajo Prep. During that stretch, Monument Valley maintained its defensive intensity.

Poyer ended Navajo Prep’s drought when she sank two free throws at the 3:31 mark. Even after benching their starters, the Mustangs continued to dominate on both ends of the court. Without the substitutions, the scoring drought could have lasted even longer.

For Navajo Prep, McGary led the team scorers with 12 points.

On Thursday, Monument Valley defeated Whitehorse (Utah) 63-33 in the first round of the Antelope Canyon Holiday Classic that is hosted by Page High School. The Mustangs plays Show Low in the tournament semifinals at 3:30 p.m.

Navajo Prep, meanwhile, defeated Aztec, 35-24, in the opening round of the Jerry Richardson Memorial Lady Chieftain Invitational. The Eagles play Bloomfield at 2:30 p.m. in the semifinals.

Monument Valley improves to 3-0 and will host Whitehorse (UT) on Thursday, December 5. Navajo Prep, now 0-2, will face Aztec on the same day at the Jerry Richardson Tournament in Shiprock.

---