Lady Vikes hoping to make state playoffs

WILLIAMS, Ariz. - As the regular season comes to a close, the Williams High School Lady Vikings basketball team is hoping to keep their playoff dreams alive.

The Lady Vikes won two and lost one last week, bringing their record to 9-4 for the season. As of press time on Monday, the team was ranked 22 in Division IV, and the top 24 teams make it to the state playoffs.

"It's floating between 18, 19, 20 and 21," head coach Jet Feliciano said. "We've been moving up and down that ranking because some teams win and then we lose and then we win again. So if we stay the course we should make state."

The Lady Vikings started out last week with a 46-24 win against Phoenix Day School for the Deaf on Jan. 20. With starter Miranda Velazco injured, Feliciano said the junior varsity and varsity players worked together to get the win.

"The younger ones stepped up and helped in giving the starters some rest, some breathing room," he said. "We're losing three seniors and we'll definitely be young next year. That's why I'm giving some of the JV players some playing time so they get the experience."

Velazco has missed about four games after spraining her right ankle. However, Feliciano hopes she'll be well enough to play in the Jan. 30 game.

In their second game of the week, the Lady Vikes played a hard-fought battle against Scottsdale Prep on Jan. 23, which they lost 63-39. One of the opposing players sank seven or eight three-pointers, which Feliciano said left the Lady Vikes trailing.

"Defensively they matched the intensity," he said. "They played well despite the score. They matched the intensity, but their shots were falling and ours were not."

The Lady Vikes closed out the week on Jan. 24 with a close 29-28 win against the Grand Canyon Phantoms. Although Williams easily beat Grand Canyon last year, the team struggled in this year's matchup. However, Feliciano said he knows the Lady Vikes have the talent and experience to beat the Phantoms.

Williams has three more games before the end of the regular season. The Lady Vikes played Thunderbird Adventist on Monday after the News went to print. On Jan. 30 they'll take on Bagdad at home at 5:30 p.m. for senior night. Then on Jan. 31 the Lady Vikes will face Seligman. The team closes out the regular season at home on Feb. 5 against Mingus Mountain Academy.

Feliciano said he'll take advantage of the last few weeks of practice to try to build a strong defense.

"We're trying out a zone press that I'm trying to teach the kids, then how to break press in the opposite way," he said. "When teams press us I'm still trying to teach the kids not to panic and then look for the ball and be patient and stay in balance."

The sectional playoffs take place Feb. 10-12, followed by the state playoffs.