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San Manuel senior Benny Laguna’s free throw with 4.3 seconds left helped the No 17 San Manuel boys’ basketball team defeat No. 18 Desert Christian last Tuesday in Tucson, 50 – 49.
Desert Christian’s chance at a game-winning bucket was thwarted when Miners’ senior Albert Lizzarraga deflected a pass to an Eagles’ shooter, ending the game without a shot attempt.
San Manuel senior Javy Tamayo scored a team-high 18 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists. Senior Caleb Quintero added 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and a steal.
San Manuel has won five of its last six games with four games remaining – three on the road – in the regular season.
Up next: Jan. 31 at Miami, Feb. 3 vs. The Gregory School and Feb. 4 at San Miguel. Tipoff for all games 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.
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