Shiprock Northwest aims to improve
By Alastair Bitsoi
Navajo Times
NEWCOMB, N.M., Dec. 5, 2011
(Times photo - Paul Natonabah)
Newcomb's Harold Smith (5) drives the lane against Shiprock Northwest's Terrin Willie (33) during season opener for both teams at Newcomb High Tuesday night. The Skyhawks ran past the Falcons, 74-37.
On Tuesday evening against the Newcomb Skyhawks, the Falcons lost their season opener, 74-37, in New Mexico boys' prep basketball action.
"In my book, they did a pretty good job," said Shiprock Northwest head coach Elroy Harry. "All the way to the limit, we played with them. We didn't give up. I am proud of my team."
During the opening period, Newcomb scored the first six points of the game, taking an early 6-3 lead.
On the next few possessions, both teams matched one another shot for shot.
Shiprock Northwest point guard Taron Yazzie hit three straight jumpers during that span, bringing his team within striking distance of the Skyhawks, 11-9.
Once the taller Skyhawks recognized their height advantage in the paint, point guard Jermaine Moses fed the ball to senior forward Ishmael Lee, who scored six consecutive points to put his team in the lead at the end the quarter, 17-9.
The second quarter began with a brief Shiprock Northwest rally. During that run, Yazzie scored four more of his game-high 22 points in the quarter to put his team as close as 24-17.
For the rest of the first half, both teams struggled with their defense and offensive plays, often scoring their points from the free-throw line from being in the bonus.
At the half, Newcomb held a 33-22 lead over Shiprock Northwest.
The third quarter turned out to be a nightmare for the Falcons, who only scored eight points in the period.
Meanwhile, Newcomb turned up the pressure, scoring 21 points off Shiprock Northwest turnovers to take a 54-28 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Newcomb senior guard Harold Smith scored eight of those 21 points in the third period.
At this stage of the game, Yazzie put his team again on his back, and scored three more points to make the score, 58-32.
The Skyhawks, however, had four different players, including Jeremiah Barber, Damian Miller, Lee and Lazarus Todea, score on the next seven possessions, resulting in the 74-37 victory for the Skyhawks.
Despite the loss, Harry is adamant that his team will improve over the season.
"I feel confident in these young men," Harry said. "I expect them every day, every game to put more into their skills. We will become proficient."
For the next few weeks, Harry said he plans to emphasize defense.
"We are going to work on lot of defenses," Harry said, adding that he plans to implement 1-2-2 and 3-2 defensive formations. "We got to take it day by day."
Harry said he's looking to all his players for leadership.
"My leaders are all my players," Harry said. "They all have to put their effort in."
One of those leaders is Yazzie, who has the important role of running the offense for the Falcons and leading the team on defense.
"I look forward to developing fundamentals and mastering passes, and calling out plays," said Yazzie, who is excited to be wearing a Falcons uniform.
"The majority of the team knows what they're doing and I'm there to help them out," Yazzie added. "We made mistakes. We saw that and we're going to practice and fix that. It's going to take practice, practice, practice."
Last year, the team did not make it far into the district tournament. This year, however, the goal is to go further.
"We got a good squad. We're very young," added junior guard Carlyle Morgan. "We should see some good things this year."
In addition to Yazzie and Morgan, the Falcons will also rely on Elijah Harry, Darian Johnson, Zackary Kitseally, Andrew Wauneka and Terrin Willie.
The next few games for the Falcons are at the Cortez Invitational in Cortez, Colo., Thursday and Friday and a doubleheader with Red Valley on Dec. 6 and 16.
On Dec. 17, the Falcons will travel to Navajo Pine then participate in the Native American Classic in Albuquerque Dec. 28 to 31 before the New Year.
Following the New Year, the Falcons will play Navajo Prep Eagles in a doubleheader, then host Newcomb, before starting District 6-1A play.
District play for the Falcons includes home and away games against Pine Hill, Ramah, Gallup Catholic and Tse Yi Gai.
"Our season looks good. We have a lot of games," Harry said. "We will play step by step. I have confidence in my players."