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Phantoms have shot at 1A North title<br>

Trailing by 5 points with less than two minutes to go in regulation, Walker was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made all three free throws. The Phantoms then stole the inbound pass and Walker made a lay-up to tie the game 44-44. 

The Canyon then had a defensive stop and Walker’s jump shot at the buzzer was short, sending the game into overtime.  Mogollon scored the first basket in OT but the Phantoms came right back on a field goal by Miguel Davila. 

With the crowd standing and cheering on every possession the Phantoms took a 1-point lead on a free throw by Kevin Beckerleg, after Mogollon failed to score. Davila was fouled but missed both free throws, then stole the ball at half court and made a lay-up to give the gritty Phantoms a 3-point lead with less than a minute to go. 

Mogollon called a time out and hit a 3-point shot to tie the game at 50-50 with 19 seconds on the clock. Grand Canyon called a time out and set up a play for Miguel Davila whose shot from the corner bounced off the rim but Ryan Eck grabbed a huge offensive rebound and hit an open Tempy Walker at the top of the key. Walker’s 3-point shot was all net as the buzzer sounded and the Phantoms pulled off one of the most exciting come-from-behind victories in school history. 

Walker finished the game with 14 points, and senior guard Miguel Davila had 19.  Eck scored 6 points but had 11 rebounds; Danny Vincent scored 8 points with 10 rebounds.  The Phantoms played the game without starting center Dennis Booth who was out with an ankle sprain suffered in last Thursday’s practice. 

Saturday night the Phantoms traveled to Joseph City and defeated the Wildcats 51-41, as Walker continues to make a strong case for All Conference Player of the Year, scoring 17 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. 

Ryan Eck had 11 points and dominated the offensive and defensive boards, finishing with 15 rebounds.  Danny Vincent scored 10 points and grabbed 9 boards, while Miguel Davila chipped in 9 points.

The Phantoms can win the 1A North conference for the first time since 1969 with a win Saturday night at Mogollon. Head coach Dan Lopez has said all along that the team that protected its home court and could get a crucial road win would be the team to win the conference and the resilient Phantoms have done just that, going undefeated at home for the first time in recent memory. 

“This is an unbelievable group of kids that have stepped up and earned the position that we are currently in,” said Lopez. “We can control our own destiny and do not have to rely on other teams to help us. One of our goals was to win the conference and we can accomplish that Saturday night.  Mogollon is a very good team and will be tough at home but we have all week to make some adjustments and our kids believe in themselves and know that if we execute our game plan like we are capable of, we can win.” 

Lopez thanked the community for all of the support they have given all season long. 

“Friday night the gym was rocking and the players feed off the energy generated by the crowd,” said Lopez. “Hopefully we will bring home the championship to a very deserving home town.”

The game on Saturday is at Mogollon starting at 5:30 p.m.


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