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In the first meeting since 2013 between two schools that are only nine miles apart, Poston Butte defeated Combs in a Division III Section V contest on Friday night, 67 – 35.
The Broncos, currently in position to earn a berth in the postseason sectional tournament, played perhaps one of their best games of the year, dominating from the start and maintaining their execution and intensity throughout. The game was never really in doubt from the midway point of the opening quarter.
“We haven’t had a game like that in a while,” Broncos’ head coach Noel Nafziger said after his team’s 10th win of the season. “We played really well from the tip until the end.”
Poston Butte’s Tyson Berringer (34) and Combs’ Clayten McCarthy (10) battle for the opening tip-off of Friday’s game.
The return of Tyson Berringer, the Broncos’ 6-foot-8 center, proved to give Poston Butte the presence it missed in its two previous games without the junior big man. He helped the Broncos control the boards, limiting the Coyotes to only one shot attempt on most possessions.
“Having Tyson back after the last two games our guys understood this was how we had to play,” Nafziger said. “There were a few breakdowns here or there, but for the most part we were solid most of the night.”
Berringer, who played with a mask to protect a broken nose, is an offensive threat as well and helps keep the spacing on the floor, allowing the Broncos’ to move the ball and get their shooters good looks at the basket. It’s a fact further evidenced by their 20 assists on 28 made field goals in the game.
That type of performance allowed Poston Butte to open a 20 – 6 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“When we share the ball and space the floor like we did, then we attack and get layups,” Nafziger said. “Having our big guy in there to offensive rebound, even when we missed, we were able to get a lot of second shots too.”
Combs started the second quarter on a 6 – 0 to get within eight points, but that’s as close as they would get for the rest of the night. Despite getting 10 points in the quarter from junior guard Josh Allen, the Yotes’ deficit increased to 16 points at the half, 36 – 20.
“We didn’t execute the game plan we had,” Combs’ head coach Kirk Fauske said after the game. “When we ran the plan we had, it worked perfectly. We didn’t do it in the first half.”
Last year’s Division III state runners-up entered the game in danger of missing the sectional tournament, and a potential state playoff berth, for the first time since 2013. Friday’s result likely eliminates any hopes for a third-straight postseason appearance.
Friday also marked the seventh time – all losses – in the Yotes’ last eight games that they’ve allowed 63 points or more. Too many for Fauske’s liking.
“Our defensive intensity is not there,” the reigning Section Coach of the Year said. “There is no sense of urgency.”
Junior Clayten McCarthy, who is averaging 16 points and more than six rebounds per game, is the Yotes’ top returning player from a year ago. As a sophomore starter last season, he was a significant contributor down the stretch, especially in the playoffs. He knows the importance of defense in Fauske’s program and was blunt in his assertion of the issue that has repeatedly plagued this year’s team.
“It’s all about getting stops on defense,” a clearly frustrated McCarthy said. “And we don’t take advantage when we do get one.”
McCarthy, who was held scoreless in the first half, scored eight of his team’s 15 second-half points. The Yotes were limited to only five points in the final quarter.
Poston Butte’s Logan Hatch, a sophomore, and Berringer, who recorded six blocks in the game, were largely responsible for limiting the Yotes’ scoring.
“Logan is so smart and he understands what we’re asking,” Nafziger said. “He had to defend guards on the perimeter and still get back inside to help contest (shots). Both of our big guys played great and when they’re in there together we are tough to score against.”
Poston Butte senior forward Josh Zaker fires an open three-pointer during the first quarter of the Broncos’ 67 – 35 victory.
Qujuan Steward, who had two breakaway dunks in the win, led the Broncos with 15 points. Berringer added 10 points. Preston Anderson and Josh Zaker finished with nine and eight points, respectively. Kevin Johnson served up 11 of the team’s 20 assists.
In addition to Allen’s 10 and McCarthy’s eight points, Yotes’ sophomore Brian Tucker finished with seven points and a team-high five rebounds.
Broncos’ upcoming schedule: Jan. 26 at Show Low and Jan. 29 vs. Blue Ridge. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Coyotes’ upcoming schedule: Jan. 26 at Payson, Jan. 29 vs. Show Low*, and Jan. 30 vs. Walden Grove. All games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
*Indicates Senior Night
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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