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After extending its winning streak to six games with victories at San Tan Foothills and at home against Cibecue earlier last week, the seventh-ranked Ray girls’ basketball team suffered a 62 – 55 loss at home to second-ranked San Carlos on Friday night.
The Lady Cats, now 6 – 3 in Section IV games, are currently in fifth place and nearly assured of a berth in sectional tournament, which should be considered the toughest tournament in the state regardless of division. Five of the top-nine teams in the Division V rankings will be in the six-team field, including San Carlos, Ft. Thomas, Duncan, Ray, and Mogollon.
Senior Stormee Galka recorded an unconventional triple-double in the Lady Cats’ 58 – 27 win at San Tan Foothills last Tuesday, finishing with 10 points, 11 assists and 19 steals.
Galka was one of three Lady Cats’ to score in double figures in the win, joining senior Savannah Willis (18) and freshman Tara Lorona (10). Savannah Rodriguez, a sophomore, just missed a double-double, finishing with nine points to go along with 12 steals. Sophomore Emma Alvarado pulled down a team-high nine rebounds in addition to recording seven steals.
Alvarado, Rodriguez, and Galka, who was named Player of the Game, combined for 38 of the Lady Cats’ 45 steals in the game.
Savannah Rodriguez scored a game-high 14 points and Emma Alvarado added 12 in the 64 – 49 win against Cibecue. Savannah Willis led the team with eight rebounds while Stormee Galka dished out a game-high nine assists in addition to her game-high nine steals.
Upcoming schedule: Jan. 27 at Mogollon, Jan. 29 vs. Superior, and Feb. 2 at Hayden. 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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