Staff Reports
THATCHER – In a commanding display of defensive prowess and offensive efficiency, the Snowflake Lobos girls’ basketball team secured back-to-back titles at the 49th annual EAC Girls Holiday Basketball Tournament, defeating the Fort Thomas Apaches 56-32 in the championship game. Led by tournament MVP Ryah Denhalter’s 17 points, the Lobos built an insurmountable lead early and never looked back, capping off a stellar holiday run.
The game tipped off with Snowflake asserting dominance from the opening whistle. Junior guard Bryn Kupfer ignited the Lobos’ offense, pouring in 7 points in the first quarter alone, while Denhalter added 6 more to give Snowflake a quick edge. By the end of the first period, the Lobos had established a rhythm that Fort Thomas struggled to match, as the Apaches managed just a handful of points, all from the free-throw line except for one lone field goal.
Kupfer continued her hot start into the second quarter, finishing the first half with 13 points to help propel Snowflake to a 31-13 halftime lead. Fort Thomas’ offense was stifled throughout the opening 16 minutes, converting only that single field goal—a bucket from freshman Jaliyah Johnson—while relying heavily on free throws for their remaining 11 points. The Apaches’ shooting woes were evident, as they failed to find any consistent flow against Snowflake’s aggressive defense.
Coming out of the break, Snowflake maintained control, extending its lead with balanced scoring from across the roster. Denhalter, a standout senior, led all scorers with 17 points and earned MVP honors for her all-around performance, including key plays on both ends of the floor. Kupfer wrapped up with 15 points, showcasing her scoring versatility. Supporting contributions came from Ranell West (8 points), AJ Yarn (6 points), Tayli Hancock (6 points), Aubrie Denhalter (2 points), and Mary Orr (2 points), highlighting the Lobos’ depth that proved too much for Fort Thomas to handle.
On the other side, the Apaches showed resilience in the second half, finally knocking down a few more buckets to chip away at the deficit. Senior Kynnedee Bryce paced Fort Thomas with 8 points, followed by Corey Cody’s 7. Jaliyah Johnson added 5 points, while Leilynn Wesley and Raeleigh Hawkins each contributed 4. Jamie Johnson and Leia Begay rounded out the scoring with 2 points apiece. Despite the improved effort after halftime, the early hole was too deep, and Snowflake cruised to the 56-32 final score.
This victory marks Snowflake’s second consecutive championship in the prestigious EAC tournament, solidifying its status as a powerhouse in Arizona high school girls’ basketball. For Fort Thomas, the loss ends a valiant tournament run, including a 40-39 win over Pima in the semifinals. Still, the emergence of young talent like Johnson offers promise for the future.
As the holiday season wraps up, Snowflake heads into the new year with momentum, eyeing a strong regular season and state playoff berth. The Lobos will next travel to face the Alchesay Falcons on Jan. 6, 2026, while the Apaches will host the Hayden Lobos on the same day. Both games are scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m.
