Raymundo Frasquillo Photos/Gila Herald: Camilla Smith scored two points, both on free throws during the closing minute of play. She sighted in and released the ball for a point twice. Lexi Lucas begins her shot attempt on a pair of free throws. She connected on a field goal plus two free throws during the closing minute. Lucas releases a shot attempt.
The 46th EA Holiday Tourney continues Tuesday
By Raymundo Frasquillo
THATCHER – Top seed Pima and No. 2 Thatcher along with No. 6 Safford and No. 5 Saint David advanced to the semifinals of the 46th Eastern Arizona Holiday Tourney. The second session has Pima versus Saint David in Game 7 at 6:30 p.m. and Thatcher vs. Safford in Game 8 at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
The first session has Duncan vs. Miami in Game 5 at 1 p.m. and Morenci vs. Fort Thomas in Game 6 at 2:30 p.m. in the consolation semifinals.
Pima defeated Duncan 64-9, Thatcher defeated Morenci 71-25, Saint David defeated Miami 61-52, and Safford defeated Fort Thomas 35-30 during first-round pairings on Monday.
Game 1: Thatcher – 71, Morenci – 25
Thatcher jumped out to a 21-7 first-quarter advantage and never looked back. The Eagles led 41-11 at halftime and 56-23 heading into the fourth quarter.
Nine Eagles contributed to the scoring total with three in double figures. Haley Nicholas had 17 points on seven field goals (three 3-pointers), Makenzie Sweet 17 on seven field goals plus 3-7 free throws, and Ashlyn Thompson 13 on six field goals (one 3-pointer). Kellee O’Connell added eight points, Macey Carter six, Jaiden Davis four, Emma Green, Regan Palmer, and Sophie Welker two apiece.
For Morenci, Elena Leonard had 11 points on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 2-4 free throws. Mia Ontiveros added nine points, Cambri McCauley three, and Keirah Chee two.
Game 2: Pima – 64, Duncan – 9
The Wildkats outscored the Roughriders 5-4 during the first five minutes of the second half. However, they trailed 0-42 to the recent 2-time 2A state champions at halftime. Pima led 55-5 heading into the fourth quarter.
Aubrey Evans had four points, Camille Miller three, and Emily Kempton two.
For Pima, Jayci McClain had 21 points on seven field goals (three 3-pointers), and Ella Wiltbank had 13 on four field goals (one 3-pointer). Ashlynn Chlarson added eight points, both Madison Gann and Lea Llamas six, Ady Hoopes four, Kashlee Alder, Sadie Richardson, and Jessica Schmidt two apiece.
Game 3: Saint David – 61, Miami – 52
Saint David pulled away from a 26-25 halftime advantage with a 19-7 third-quarter outing. The Tigers led 45-32 heading into the fourth quarter.
Maya Trejo tossed in a game-high 29 points on 11 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 3-3 free throws and Anissa Jacquez 19 on nine field goals plus 1-8 free throws. Taylee Jacquez added eight points, Emelynn Jacquez three, and Honey Merrill two.
For Miami, Layla Thompson had 15 points on five field goals plus 5-9 free throws, and Savannah Pietila had 10 on three field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 2-4 free throws. Areianna Brown and Leeyah Goss both added nine points, Demetria Dosela seven, and Drianna Dosela two.
Game 4: Safford – 35, Fort Thomas – 30
Safford led 12-9 after the opening quarter, 18-12 at halftime, and 24-19 heading into the fourth quarter. But, the outcome came down to the final minute of play, decided in the closing 58 seconds.
Ahead 30-28, Safford connected on 3-4 free throws plus a field goal while Fort Thomas missed on two front ends of one plus one awards along with multiple field goal attempts.
Camilla Smith made 2-2 free throws with 58 seconds left (32-28), and Lexi Lucas added a field goal 33 seconds later (34-30) and 1-2 free throws with five seconds left (35-30).
For the game, Brianna Camarena had 12 points on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 3-6 free throws, and Lucas 11 on four field goals plus 3-4 free throws. Brynzee Hansen added six points, Jasmyn Rios four, and Smith two.
The Fort got nine points from Kenia McCabe, six from Tyesha Wilson, five from Kaylee Benally, and two from Haleigh Kitcheyan.
