Woes continue for Phantoms

Team loses three games in a row

GRAND CANYON, Ariz. - The Phantoms played three games this week, but were unable to capture a win. The Phantoms lost against the Williams Vikings Dec. 15, with a final score of Williams 72, Grand Canyon 35. The second meeting between the two teams went similar to the first game. With several players returning from their Final Four team from a year ago, the loaded Vikings impressed their will on the Phantoms. Daniel Celis led the Phantoms with 21 points.

The Grand Canyon boys went on to play Fredonia Dec. 18, taking a 41-38 loss against the Fredonia team. In tightly contested battle between two evenly matched teams, the Phantoms couldn't find a way to pull out a victory. Despite the loss, Coach Greg Walker remained optimistic.

"It was by far our best game of the season," he said. "We played really hard and our execution was the best it has been all season. It's too bad we couldn't find a way to win."

Senior Guard Cuco Jaime infused the team with energy in his long awaited season debut and Daniel Celis had a nice game with 16 points.

The Phantoms also took a December loss against a tough Beaver Dam team, losing with a final score of Beaver Dam 69, Phantoms 36. After a nights rest in St. George, Utah, the Phantoms struggled with the half court trapping defense of the Beaver Dam Diamondbacks. The Phantoms dug themselves a hole early in the game by only scoring one point in the first quarter. The rest of the game didn't get much better for the Phantoms and the Diamondbacks scored at will. Daniel Celis chipped in 14 points to pace the team.

"It's really hard to start out so slow against a good team and expect to be successful," said Assistant Coach Silas Aiken. "I think we can still turn this season around, but it's going to take an extraordinary effort by everyone."

The Phantoms fall to 1-7 on the season. The road ahead doesn't get any easier for the Phantoms as they travel to Tonopah High School for a Holiday Tournament Dec. 27-29. Their next home game is Jan. 9 when they take on the visiting Ash Fork team.

(Editor's note: Silas Aiken contributed to this report.)