The Camp Verde girls basketball team got back to their winning ways as the Cowboys defeated Northland Preparatory Academy 59-25 on Friday, Jan. 11.
After a tough 44-21 loss to Valley Lutheran on Jan. 8, the Cowboys regained their swagger against the Spartans.
Cowboys center Jacy Finley scored eight points and blocked six shots in her second start this season.
“Jacy is getting better every game as her lungs and legs continue to get stronger,” Showers said. “She was in a position to score 20 points but with a little bit of an adjustment, she will convert those attempts next time.”
Defense and ball pressure were key to the Cowboys’ win as Finley patrolled the inside and denied shots at the rim.
“You cannot measure how important her size and presence is for us on either side of the floor,” Showers said. “I think it has a mental impact on the other team, especially when she is blocking a player’s shot at the rim.”
With the win, Camp Verde improved to 12-6 this season.
Cowboys guard Lauren Ontiveros helped Camp Verde’s hot start by converting a 3-pointer to give Camp Verde a 14-4 lead.
At the end of the first quarter, Camp Verde led Northland Prep 16-6.
Hope Ontiveros would key the Cowboys’ second quarter run with three timely 3-pointers off the bench.
Camp Verde’s advantage over Northland Prep ballooned to 25 points as the Cowboys led 39-14 at halftime.
Hope Ontiveros’ hot hand would continue in the third quarter as the guard nailed two more threes as Camp Verde’s lead reached 30 points.
After three quarters, the Cowboys led Northland Prep 59-22.
The Cowboys did not score in the fourth quarter but held on for the 59-25 victory over Northland Prep.
Hope Ontiveros led the Cowboys with 15 points while Tanna Decker registered 10 points and four steals.
“Having Hope back is nice because now we have three capable perimeter threats in Lauren, Tanna and Hope,” Showers said. “Hopefully one out of the three is on and they can nail three or four 3-pointers.”
While Lauren Ontiveros is a key offensive player for the Cowboys, Showers raved about her defensive prowess against the Spartans.
“Lauren is just as solid as they come as she can play great defense, handle the ball and shot the ball well tonight,” Showers said. “We really depend on Lauren’s defense because of how solid she is at keeping her player in check.”
While the Cowboys rely on Lauren’s on-ball abilities, Showers said she is just as capable when helping her teammates on defense.
“Not only is Lauren solid at playing on the ball, but off the ball she is playing help defense and deflecting passes in the lane,” Showers said. “She just does an awful lot for our defense and does it well.”
The Cowboys could not keep their momentum going, however, as Camp Verde lost 54-42 to Scottsdale Preparatory Academy on Saturday, Jan. 14.
With the loss, Camp Verde fell to 12-7 on the season.
Scottsdale Prep leads the 2A Central region at 5-1 while Camp Verde is currently fourth at 3-2.
Camp Verde returns to the court on Friday, Jan. 18, when the Cowboys take on the Sedona Scorpions.
Decker led all scorers with 18 points when these two teams last played on Dec. 21, with Camp Verde defeating Sedona 55-11.
Sedona had no answer for Camp Verde’s defense as the Cowboys committed 21 steals and forced 30 Scorpions turnovers.
Camp Verde’s win over Sedona also snapped the Cowboys’ six-game losing streak to the Scorpions.
Sedona is currently sixth in the 2A Central region at 1-5 and are 2-10 this season.
The Cowboys’ next home game is Saturday, Jan. 19, when Camp Verde hosts Glendale Preparatory Academy.
Tipoff s slated at 5:30 p.m.
