By Nathaniel A. Lopez
The winter season has officially drawn to a close for Ray’s boys and girls teams as well as for the Lady Lobos. The playoff dreams for the Hayden Lobos remain in reach and depend on the outcome of yesterday’s play in game.
Due to a misunderstanding of AZPrep365’s website schedule, last week’s article on the local basketball teams contained incorrect information about the 1A sectional tournament.
On Feb. 1, the boys and girls basketball teams traveled to the neighboring Hayden to face the Lobos. The Lady ‘Cats were unable to find a win, and lost 17-37. The Bearcats had a hard time against the Lobos as well, closing out the end of the night with a loss. The final score of the boys’ game was 55-79.
Later that week on Feb. 3, the Bearcats and Lady ‘Cats hosted Leading Edge Academy. The girls’ team suffered a tough loss, the final score being 16-67. The Bearcats also played a tough game against Leading Edge Academy, but couldn’t come out ahead. The final score of the boys game was 49-80.
That game concluded the 2021-2022 boys and girls basketball season for the Ray Bearcats and Lady ‘Cats.
The Hayden basketball teams hosted the Ray Bearcats on Feb. 1. The Lady Lobos started off the evening with a twenty point victory over the Lady ‘Cats. The final score of the girls game was 37-17. The boys followed, closing out the night with a lead over the Bearcats. The Lobos found victory in the 79-55 game.
On Feb. 3, the Hayden teams hosted Cicero Prep. The girls game started off with intensity, and the Lady Lobos brought it to Cicero. One advantage Hayden’s team had was their team size; they were able to switch out players and stay fresh, while Cicero used their limited players. In the end, the Lady Lobos came out with the win, beating Cicero with a final score of 39-23.
Between the varsity games, Hayden Athletics recognized their senior athletes for the 2021-2022 winter sports season. Those athletes were: wrestler Romeo Cruz, boys basketball player Aaron Peed, girls basketball players Amariz Ochoa, Ariza Castillo, Miranda Gomez, Aiyana Gonzales, and cheerleader Grace Ramirez-Corona.
The boys game started off with a battle for ball control. Cicero scored first with a 3-pointer, followed by the Lobos posting 2 points. In the remaining seconds of the first half the Lobos were at 19 points, but a half-court, buzzer beating shot, brought them up to 22 points, 10 points behind Cicero. The boys played with intensity, but Cicero began to wear them down with constant passing, and one player who kept sinking 3-pointers. The Lobos spent the second half of the game trying to catch up, while also hold down Cicero’s offense. The game ended with Cicero running out the 30 remaining seconds by passing the ball. The final score of the game was 38-58.
The following day, Feb. 4, the Lady Lobos traveled to Gilbert to face off against Leading Edge Academy. The girls were unable to come out victorious, with a final score of 11-67. That would be the Lady Lobos second loss to Leading Edge Academy, and the final game of their 2021-2022 basketball season.
Yesterday, the Lobos, ranked #9, traveled to Desert Christian, ranked #8, to play them in a 1A Conference Play-In game. The outcome of the game, which was unknown at press time, determines which team moves forward in the 1A Conference Playoffs.
Hayden High School Seniors and their parents were recognized between the girls and boy varsity games. (Photo by Nathaniel Lopez)