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Williams Elementary-Middle School Falcons win state tournament
Williams beats Many Farms 49-39 in championship game, five Falcons players receive All-Tournament awards

The Williams Falcons A Team became the Small Schools Basketball State Champions Feb. 8. Front row from left: Payce Mortensen, Ashton Johnson, Juaquin Gutierrez and Tate Grantham. Back row from left:  Zackery Perkins, Coach Berry, Daniel Lopez, Aaron Roush, Diego Pedraza, Martin Soria, Coach Chavez and Coach Mortensen. Not pictured: Coach Shipley and Jose Pedraza. Submitted photo

The Williams Falcons A Team became the Small Schools Basketball State Champions Feb. 8. Front row from left: Payce Mortensen, Ashton Johnson, Juaquin Gutierrez and Tate Grantham. Back row from left: Zackery Perkins, Coach Berry, Daniel Lopez, Aaron Roush, Diego Pedraza, Martin Soria, Coach Chavez and Coach Mortensen. Not pictured: Coach Shipley and Jose Pedraza. Submitted photo

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - After winning the Kayenta Tournament in January, the Williams Falcons A - Team won three games earlier this month to become the Small Schools Basketball State Champions.

This year was the 28th annual Small Schools Basketball State Championship. Coach Deniz Chavez said the Williams team was excited to compete in Clarkdale again. This tournament was smaller with only nine boys teams and nine girls teams.

Williams went into the tournament as the first seed. Their first game was on Feb. 7 against Tsaile. It was a close game with the Falcons down by one point for most of the game. In the fourth quarter, Williams stepped it up and beat Tsaile 47-32.

On Feb. 8, the boys played against Big Park from Sedona and won 50-26. This placed Williams in the championship game against Many Farms.

In the championship game, Williams never slowed down and beat Many Farms 49-39 to win the tournament.

Officials gave out All-Tournament awards at the end of the tournament. Diego Pedraza received a Second Team award. Daniel Lopez, Zackery Perkins and Aaron Roush received First Team Awards. Martin Soria received the MVP award.

"Great job boys," Chavez said. "Your coaches are proud of you."


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