by 
The Combs boys’ basketball team celebrated Senior Night last Friday with a win against Show Low on what could’ve just as easily been dubbed Turn-Back-the-Clock night.
The Yotes defeated the Cougars 63 – 34, displaying the type of defense the basketball program has been known for over the past few years but rarely seen during most of this season.
It was good for the team’s four seniors – Andrew Craven, Dylan Cooper, Daniel Reza, and Caleb Bacon – to experience winning again the way they did for at least half of their varsity careers.
“It was a great feeling to finally pick up a ‘W,’” said Craven, who scored six points and grabbed three rebounds in the game. “During pregame we talked about playing ‘Coyotes basketball’ and that’s as team, not as individuals. We played as a team and we did it for the entire 32 minutes.”
Friday marked the sixth game this season the Yotes have allowed 36 points or less, all of them victories. They are 8 – 0 this season when allowing 50 points or fewer compared to 0 – 16 when allowing 53 or more.
Combs’ head coach Kirk Fauske said the biggest difference in this year’s team is likely no different than most others; it’s always easier to play with a lead than from behind.
When the Yotes have their shots falling and hold a lead, there’s a little more jump in their step and they move better and talk, especially on defense. When they trail, they’re slower on the defensive end.
The Yotes’ shots were falling on Friday night.
Sophomore Brian Tucker shot a sizzling 70 percent from the field against the Cougars, including 4 of 5 from behind the three-point line. He finished with a game-high 19 points.
Clayten McCarthy, a junior, posted another double-double – 13 points, 11 rebounds – in the victory. He was 2-for-2 from three-point range and was one of two Yotes to pull down double-digit rebounds, joining close friend Skylar Johnson, who just missed his own double-double with nine points to go along with 10 rebounds in addition to six assists. Josh Allen led the Yotes with a game-high eight assists.
Dylan Cooper closed out his home career with three points, a rebound, and an assist. Daniel Reza finished with four points, two rebounds, and an assist. Caleb Bacon missed the game due to illness.
Even though things didn’t go as hoped on the court, seniors always seem to grasp the bigger perspective as they get ready for the next chapter of their lives.
“On and off the court it’s been life-changing,” said Craven, a team captain, about being a part of the Yotes’ basketball program. “We talk about a journey and the journey that we go on from the start of the season until the end. There’s up and downs, but it’s about how we deal with them and how we learn from them.”
The Yotes will end their season this week with a road game at Blue Ridge on Tuesday. The game is scheduled for 7 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.
by by