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Hayden
Boys’ basketball– The Lobos remain winless after losing last Thursday at Mogollon, 69 – 36. They also lost a cross-sectional game at home against Arete Prep last Monday, 57 – 49. Results from last Friday’s game versus Joseph City were not available at press time. Upcoming schedule: Jan. 23 at Cibeuce and Jan. 27 vs. Superior. All games are scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Girls’ basketball– Hayden dropped two games last week, first losing at home to Arete Prep last Tuesday, 42 – 32, and then again on the road at Mogollon last Thursday, 52 – 45. The Lobos have only one win so far this season; against Superior on Dec. 16. Upcoming schedule: Jan. 23 at Cibecue and Jan. 27 vs. Superior. All games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Ray
Boys’ basketball– The Bearcats split two games last week, defeating Division III Miami (AZ), 63 – 57, before losing an important sectional game to 16th-ranked Mogollon, 59 – 57. The 24th-ranked Cats would be the last team in the state tournament if it started today as the top 24 teams make the State Championship Bracket. Six of the Cats’ final eight games are against sectional foes, beginning Jan. 20 at Hayden. Ray will have to care of business to reach the sectional tournament and perhaps the state tourney. Upcoming schedule: Jan. 23 vs. St. Johns, Jan. 27 vs. San Manuel, and Jan. 28 at Cibecue. All games are scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Girls’ basketball– The 10th-ranked Lady Cats defeated Mogollon at home last Friday night, 61 – 49. With the win the Lady Cats are now 3 – 1 in sectional games, good enough for second-place in Section III. They are one game in the loss column behind first-place and 4th-ranked Ft. Thomas. Ray will host the Apaches on Jan. 30 in what figures to be an important game in deciding the regular-season championship. But before then, however, the Lady Cats need to focus on their current opponents beginning with Hayden on Jan. 20. Upcoming schedule: Jan. 23 vs. St. Johns, Jan. 27 vs. San Manuel, and Jan. 28 at Cibecue. All games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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