The Lady Sand Devils brought home the runner-up trophy from this year’s Antelope Canyon Holiday Classic after narrowly losing to the Kirtland Central Broncos in the championship game over the weekend.
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The Lady Sand Devils brought home the runner-up trophy from this year’s Antelope Canyon Holiday Classic after narrowly losing to the Kirtland Central Broncos in the championship game over the weekend.
The Lady Sand Devils defeated Lee Williams 60 to 30 in the opening round and Monument Valley in the second round.
The Sand Devils enter the new season with several of last year’s prominent players returning this year: Jade Reid, Sofia Cambridge, Lelaura Yazzie, Kylie Benale, Alyssa Harris and Leikara Yazzie.
The first quarter of the championship game was neck and neck, with the Sand Devils leading 15 to 13 going into the second quarter. But the Broncos offense had a big second quarter, outscoring the Sand Devils 28 to 13. Page trailed 28 to 41 at the half.
After making some defensive adjustments at halftime, the Sand Devils had a great third quarter. They scored 13 points, while holding the Broncos to just 13 points. But after the Broncos big second quarter, they still led by 14 points going into the fourth quarter.
Page’s best quarter of the game – indeed its best quarter of the entire tournament – occurred in the fourth quarter. The Sand Devils moved into a full-court defense, which resulted in numerous Bronco turnovers. Page steadily chipped away at Kirtland Central’s 14-point lead. The Sand Devils throngs were on their feet, cheering for their girls. With 1:50 remaining in the game, Page trailed by only 3 points. But the Broncos offense had a literal last-minute resurgence and once more broadened the point spread.
The final score read Page 59, Kirtland Central 66.
Page could have won the game at the free-throw line, but players made just 2 out of 8 free-throw attempts in the game’s final 3 minutes.
LeLaura Yazzie and Alyssa Harris were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
Despite Saturday’s loss to Kirtland Central, the Sand Devils are off to a great start to the season. Prior to the Antelope Canyon Holiday Classic, the Sand Devils beat Northland Prep 51 to 24, Ganado 40 to 21, and San Juan (Utah) 69 to 21.
The Lady Sand Devils now have a week off. They return to the court Monday, Dec. 11, for a home game against Winslow.
