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Grand Canyon boys falter<br>down stretch in region loss

A low shooting percentage and the inability to make its way to the free-throw line in the second half were key factors in a tough 53-47 loss for the Grand Canyon boys basketball team Friday night.

Tempy Walker weaves into the lane and in for two against Seligman.

The setback to Seligman and a 64-47 win over Shonto Prep on Saturday means Grand Canyon and the Antelopes will meet again in the first round of the regional tourney.

The Phantoms, which had lost to Seligman 65-52 in December, could not capitalize on opportunities late in the game. A pivotal moment in came when Seligman’s head coach was ejected on a double technical foul with 4:38 to play. Grand Canyon converted 2-of-4 free throws and failed to put the ball in the hoop on the ensuing possession.

"We only got two points out of the whole exchange," GCHS coach Dan Lopez said. "It was 45-40 at the time, so if we convert those free throws and make a basket, that’s a big turnaround of six to seven points."

Grand Canyon was able to pull to within 45-43 after another free throw, but that was as close as the Phantoms would get.

The two teams battled back and forth the whole way with the Phantoms leading 22-21 at halftime. The score was tied at the end of the first when Grand Canyon’s Richardson Tisi nailed a three-pointer with 1 second left.

In the second, the Phantoms took a 19-15 lead on a Travis Schmidt basket but would score only one more hoop over the final 5 minutes of the quarter. Still, Grand Canyon was clinging to the one-point advantage.

The Phantoms came out for the second half wanting to spread Seligman’s offense. Grand Canyon also wanted to take advantage of Tempy Walker’s abilities to penetrate the Antelope defense and dish off. But the Phantom shots underneath would not fall.

Grand Canyon was able to take a 31-30 lead with 1:44 left in the third on a basket by Miguel Davila. Then after Richard Alvarado buried a three-pointer, the Phantoms tied the game on an Ed Hazlett basket. Seligman’s Vince Alvarado scored at the 1:01 mark to put his team back on top.

After Walker scored to open the fourth, the Antelopes took a 38-35 lead on a three-point play by Juan Delgadillo. Walker answered with a three-point goal to once again knot the score. Richard Alvarado hit a hoop 25 seconds later to give Seligman the lead again and the Antelopes would never trail the rest of the way.

After the coach was ejected, Seligman won the game down the stretch with sound free-throw shooting and a timely basket by Chester Smith.

"We only made three free throws in the second half," Lopez said. "We’re just a team that has to take advantage of making easy shots and free throws."

Walker finished with 20 points to lead the Phantoms. Delgadillo led Seligman with 16 while Richard Alvarado scored 15 and Smith added 10.

The Phantoms came out determined to whip Shonto Prep on Saturday and cruised to a 17-point victory. Grand Canyon led 22-10 after the first quarter.

Walker and Richardson Tisi were terrors from the outside. The Phantom duo combined for 11-for-17 shooting from three-point range. Walker had six three’s and finished with 26 points. Tisi had five three’s and 16 points.

Grand Canyon (8-7, 10-12) will end the regular season Friday at home against Joseph City on Senior Night. The game will tip-off at 5:30 p.m.

The Phantoms then head to regionals Feb. 13-14 at Joseph City.


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