Jacob Apache scored 17 points, and Zephaniah “Z-Man” Guerro snared 20 rebounds as Navajo Alamo squeezed past upstart Mountainair 62-59 in the District 3-1A basketball tournament finals.

It was just the kind of game coach Lemuel Guerro’s team needed headed into the Class 1A state tournament while on a seven-game winning streak. The last time the Cougars tangled with Mountainair, the game was just as tight, with Alamo winning 61-59. Both wins were the narrowest margin of victory of the season.

The Cougars (19-9, 8-0) will enter the state tournament on a roll as winners of 10 of their last games.

“Our goals remain the same,” Guerro said. “That’s to play as a team and advance past the tournament’s first round.”

It’s a step in the process after Alamo won its first-ever district basketball title last year and successfully defended it against all competitors this season.
The Cougars will hit the road hoping for their first-ever state tournament win when they visit Legacy Academy (23-6, 9-1) at 7 p.m.

 

Corona 53 Lady Cougars 25

Corona/Vaughn’s freshman 6’ 5” sensation Harper Dunn’s 26 points, 12 rebounds, and nine blocks were too much to overcome as the phenom scored more points than Alamo Navajo’s entire team in a 53-25 loss for the Lady Cougars.

Alamo Navajo’s loss ended a three-game streak of away wins, bringing them to 17-12 overall and 6-2 in district play.

The Lady Cougars will be traveling to Logan on Friday for a 7 p.m. game in the opening round of the girls Class A basketball tournament.

Russell Huffman, El Defensor Chieftain Asst. Editor