Camp Verde basketball picked up right where it left off as the Cowboys defeated Northland Preparatory Academy 45-41 on Friday, Jan. 11.
“I was very happy to be in a game like this because we needed a close match where we got everything we could handle,” Camp Verde coach Dan Wall said. “The kids adjusted well, responded and kept level heads throughout and made some clutch, smart plays down the stretch.”
The Cowboys improved to 17-2 this season and have now won their last seven games.
“What turned it around for us was our half-court defense, which allowed us to get back into the game in the third quarter,” Wall said. “I liked the way the kids shook off a slow second quarter and regained their focus to come through for the win.”
The Cowboys took a 4-0 lead to open the game, prompting a Northland Prep timeout.
Camp Verde would maintain its advantage throughout the first quarter and led 18-12 over Northland Prep.
Northland Prep opened the second quarter on a 15-0 run to take a 27-18 lead over Camp Verde.
At halftime, Camp Verde trailed 27-20 after being outscored 17-2 in the second quarter.
“We were not defending, we were over-committing in the half court and trying to do much, which ended up hurting us,” Wall said. “They had good intentions and all wanted to compete hard but not in the right way so our adjustments helped in that area.”
Camp Verde regained momentum in the third quarter with a 10-2 run to take a 30-29 lead over Northland Prep.
Northland Prep would retake the lead for a 33-31 advantage over Camp Verde after three quarters.
Neither team could pull away in the fourth quarter as multiple lead changes occurred in the game’s waning minutes.
Camp Verde would take a 37-36 lead with under two minutes remaining after an Ismael Hogan assist to Mason Rayburn.
A few possessions later Hogan would then nail a timely three to make it a two-possession game and give Camp Verde a 43-39 edge over Northland Prep.
Cowboys guard Jose Salas-Zorrilla knocked down both free throws for Camp Verde after Northland Prep intentionally fouled to increase the Cowboys’ lead to 45-39.
Northland Prep could not come back in the game’s finals seconds as the Cowboys held on 45-41.
“I told them we have the lead so we need to be patient and wise with our shot selection at this point in the game,” Wall said. “The only thing we need to shoot is free throws or layups and they did a great job moving the ball.”
Jason Collier led the Cowboys with 14 points while also accumulating three assists and three rebounds.
Cowboys forward C.J. Bast cleaned the glass for the Cowboys with 12 rebounds to go with 11 points on Friday.
Cowboys freshman Salas-Zorrilla earned the start and registered seven points and six rebounds.
“He is a tough kid, basketball IQ is very high and he is one of the most coachable kids I have had,” Wall said.
Camp Verde kept its momentum going on Saturday, Jan. 12, as the Cowboys defeated Scottsdale Preparatory Academy 60-41.
Collier led all scorers with 24 points and also recorded four rebounds, four steals and two assists.
Bast added 12 points and nine rebounds for Camp Verde while Salas-Zorrilla registered 11 points and three assists.
With the win over Scottsdale Prep, Camp Verde improves to 18-2 this season and 5-0 in conference and regional play.
The Cowboys currently sit at first in the 2A Central region and are ranked ninth in the state out of 48 teams.
Camp Verde returns to the court on Friday, Jan. 18, when the Cowboys take on the Sedona Scorpions.
When these two teams last faced on Dec. 21, Camp Verde defeated Sedona 69-24.
The Cowboys’ next home game is Saturday, Jan. 19, when Camp Verde hosts Glendale Preparatory Academy. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Ivan Leonard can be reached at 282-7795,
