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Varsity boys end season with 18-3 record

There is an old adage in sports circles that says "defense win championships." If that is true then the Grand Canyon boys basketball team is primed for a deep run for a state title based on their recent performance last Saturday in Fredonia. 

After a 5-point win at home and a win at the buzzer last week in Fredonia, the Phantoms returned for the "real game" and used a suffocating defense to rout the Lynx 43 to 28. 

Unlike the previous two Fredonia games that found the Canyon trailing at half time, the Phantoms led at the half 24-17. This was thanks, in part, to a balanced attack that saw seven different players scoring. 

The start of the second half was the difference in the game as the Phantoms' relentless defense limited a confused and frustrated Fredonia team to 4 points for the entire third quarter and emerged with a 17-point lead to start the fourth. 

Canyon Head Coach Dan Lopez emptied his bench with five minutes to go in the fourth quarter with a 25-point lead. 

"I was really proud of our defensive effort tonight," said Coach Lopez.  "Fredonia not only had trouble scoring, they had problems getting any kind of good looks at the basket."

The week before they had one player with five 3-point field goals and on Saturday, they made four 3-point shots for the entire team. 

"If we play this way over the next two weeks we are going to present a lot of problems for our opponents," said Coach Lopez.

He praised the leadership of David Robinson, Lydell Talas and Dennis Booth. 

"David and Lydell got us going with steals and Dennis protected our basket, ending up with five blocked shots, while staying out of foul trouble," said Coach Lopez.

Dennis Booth also led the team in scoring with 10 points and a season high five steals.  Justin Kremer dominated the defensive boards with 10 rebounds, as the Canyon out-rebounded a physical Fredonia team 33-18.  

"Greg (Walker, assistant coach) and I are always preaching to the kids that if we defend and rebound well, then we can be in a position to win games and tonight that was very evident."

Grand Canyon now goes to Heber to the conference regionals as the number two seed from the 1A North-West and will play either Rock Point or St. Michael's in an 8 a.m. first round game on Friday.

They have to win the opening game to qualify for the state tournament next week in Phoenix.


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