After falling to Lee Williams High School in its two previous meetings, the Mingus Union High School girls basketball team exacted its revenge at the Grand Canyon Region Tournament on Monday, Feb. 6.
The Marauders [8-12, 3-9 4A Grand Canyon] beat the Volunteers by a score of 40-38 in the first round of the tournament, played at Flagstaff High School.
“I’m extremely proud of my girls, namely because against Lee Williams we would go to the fourth quarter with the lead, and they would tie, take the lead and win,” Marauders first year head coach Frank Nevarez said.
This time around it almost played out exactly the same way; Mingus entered the fourth with the lead, and the Volunteers eventually tied the game and took the lead.
But the third time was the charm as the Marauders pulled out the victory.
“This time we stayed within the scheme in the fourth quarter and played as hard in the fourth as we did in the first quarter,” Nevarez said.
Nevarez said that he told his team after the victory that one reason they had lost the prior games was because they had not yet learned to play as a team.
But he went on to say the Marauders’ biggest sign of progression throughout the season has been their ability to go from playing as a collection of individuals to being a solid unit.
In the quarterfinals, Mingus was pitted against Coconino High School, ranked No. 3 in Division 4A as of Thursday, Feb. 9. The Marauders lost 52-16.
Coconino and Flagstaff have been the top two teams in the region and top five in the division all season, and Nevarez plans to elevate Mingus to that level.
He said that he told his team that they need court time and play time, and to work during the summer, just as the Panthers and Eagles do.
Nevarez wants to have open gym and play in as many games as possible with his travel team during the offseason to prepare for a successful 2017-18 season.
With only three seniors parting with the team and successful seasons from the junior varsity and freshman teams, he is confident in having a solid base to build around for the future.
Marauders on Grand Canyon All-Region Teams
Second Team – Sophomore guard Darien Loring
Senior guard Destiny Razo
Honorable Mention – Junior forward Nikki Zielinski
