Alamo Navajo’s Mike Monte (11) battles for a rebound against a pair of Mescalero defenders.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain photos

ALBUQUERQUE–Scotty Guerro and Jacob Apache hit key free throws with less than 45 seconds remaining in the 11th annual Striking Eagle Invitational basketball tournament championship to lift Alamo Navajo to a 39-37 thriller over Mescalero on Dec 29.

Frequent whistles played a factor in both teams’ strategies, and after the first frame, where the Cougars (9-3) held an 8-4 advantage in scoring, they were tied up with the Chiefs at 5-5 in fouls. It was a game-long trend that resulted in 42 fouls.

Guerro had five of Alamo’s 11 second-quarter points and helped the Cougars go up by ten points, 15-5, but the fouls kept hurting. Mescalero scored eight of its 14 first-half points at the free throw line, and it also forced coach Lemuel Guerro to dig into his rotation.

Jacob Apache was selected as the Striking Eagle Invitational, Most Valuable Player.

It was hard for the Cougars to maintain their composure with the high number of fouls called against them (23), but their coach called time out to help cooler heads prevail.

“I just keep reminding them that we’re still in the game. Stay relaxed, stay focused and keep moving the ball. They did a good job,” Guerro said.

Mescalero chipped away at Alamo’s 10-point lead, and the Cougars were up 19-14 at the half, but a 14-8 run by Mescalero tightened the contest up to where a two-score advantage could likely win the game as the Chiefs led 28-27.

The Cougars were their coolest under pressure with the game on the line and Alamo trailing 35-33 before Apache hit a pair of free throws to tie it up. There was no time to celebrate as Mescalero moved the ball down the court and quickly scored.

Alamo needed everybody to contribute, and Guerro held up under a pair of bruising fouls to tie the game, and his free throw gave the Cougars a one-point lead. Apache then came up with a loose ball and was fouled as he tried to dribble out the time remaining. He made a free throw for the final 39-37 margin.

“These ten young men — I’m very proud of them. They tell me to push them harder in practice, and I do, and they tell me to go even harder. That kind of dedication makes a team like this and makes a successful season. I’m excited for them to get this championship,” Guerro said.

The Cougars hadn’t really been tested in their first two games, with Alamo beating Tse’ Yi’ Gai 82-18 in the opening round and downing Native American Community Academy 71-27.

“I’m very proud of how we did this week. We still have some small things to work on. Sometimes we make simple mistakes like reaching in and those kinds of fouls, but overall we did a great job,” Guerro said.

Against Mescalero, Tayshawn Pino and Jacob Apache were the scoring leaders with 10 points each. Guerro added nine points while Zephaniah Guerro had 4, Mike Monte and Jay Apachito had two and Mathis Apachito had one.

Russell Huffman | Assistant Editor