Numer one seeds only victors
By Jon Johnson
jon@gilavalleycentral.net
PRESCOTT VALLEY – It was a tough opening day for teams from the Gila Valley at the state basketball tournament, and only the three number-one seeds moved on to the second round.
Boys Basketball
The No. 1 Pima Roughriders (26-2) were challenged early by No. 16 Kingman Academy, with the teams knotted at 25-25 at halftime. Pima pulled away in the second half, however, and went on to dispatch Kingman, 64-47. Pima will next play No. 8 Horizon Honors (26-4) on Saturday at Yavapai Community College at 6 p.m. Horizon beat No. 9 Santa Cruz Valley, 75-61.
In the battle of the birds, the No. 7 Thatcher Eagles had high hopes entering the tournament but they were dashed by a tough No. 10 Piñon Eagles team, 59-50.
1A Action
Number 3 Fort Thomas was upset by No. 14 Superior, 48-39.
Girls Basketball
3A Action
The No. 8 Safford Bulldogs were bounced from the tournament by No. 9 Window Rock in Round Valley, 57-44.
2A Action
The No. 1 Thatcher Eagles easily dismissed No. 16 Round Valley, 45-25. Thatcher plays No. 9 Alchesay on Saturday at The Prescott Valley Events Center at 6 p.m. Alchesay dispatched No. 8 Gilbert Christian, 45-31.
The Thatcher Eagles move on to the second round in the state playoffs, Saturday.
1A Action
The No. 1 Fort Thomas Apaches bowled over No. 16 Fredonia, 62-21. The Apaches will play No. 8 Mogollon on Saturday at the Prescott Valley Events Center at 1:30 p.m. Mogollon beat No. 9 Ray, 57-51.
The Fort Thomas Apaches move on to the second round in the state playoffs, Saturday.
The No. 14 Duncan Wildkats were severely outsized by No. 3 The Gregory School and lost, 34-22.
