Local Roundup: Jan. 26

PREP GIRLS SOCCER

Kofa girls win finale

Entering the night in the 16th and final playoff spot, Kofa girls soccer blanked Yuma High 7-0 Thursday and did what they could to ensure a playoff berth.

The Kings finish the season 11-1, and as of presstime were listed as 15th on the Arizona Interscholastic Association website. Brackets will be released Saturday morning.

“We did as much as we can, losing just one game all season,” coach Marisela Velasquez said. “Saturday will tell us if we did enough. Hopefully we'll be going up to Phoenix.”

Maria Lopez had two goals, while Abby Rosales had four assists for the Kings. Leticia Casillas, Lesly Salazar, Berenice Peralta, Helena Casares and Nicole Hartman each scored a goal each for Kofa.

For the Criminals, they end their season 1-11 under first-year coach Tom Coxson.
“This season was a huge improvement on last year,” Coxson said. “We only have four seniors, so we expect to have a good start for next year.”

PREP BOYS SOCCER

Kofa ends season with win

Frank Mallek scored in the 70th minute to help Kofa to a 2-0 win over Yuma High at home Thursday night.

Jesus Felix gave the Kings a 1-0 lead at halftime, after scoring in the first 19 seconds of the game.

Kofa coach Jamie Nicewander said the win was important to securing a tradition for the Kings.

“We have not been scored on our home field all year. In the regular season, it's been three years since Kofa has lost on their home field.”

PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

Cibola holds off Kofa

Stevie Mitchell came up with a key steal on the game's final possession to secure Cibola's 62-59 win against Kofa on Thursday.

Jordan Mitchell, who scored 28 points, made one of two free throws to give the Raiders their three-point lead late. The Kings and sharpshooter Daniel Santana, who scored seven in the fourth and 14 in the game, would have had the chance to tie but Stevie Mitchell got the steal.

The Raiders led 14-7 early but trailed 33-28 at the half after Santana hit a running 3-pointer from beyond the line at the buzzer.

“We let them back into the game,” Cibola coach Tim Keller said. “But we didn't let it get us down. We told them at halftime not to get down, and they didn't. We came back and tied the game in the first minute of the second half.”

Steven Loucks had 10 points and seven rebounds for the Raiders, while Deante Gaines had 10 points and eight rebounds. Jan Belchior led the Kings with 18 points.

Antelope falls to Tonopah

A.J. Cota put up a double-double on Thursday night, but it wasn't enough as Antelope lost 73-36 to Tonopah Valley.

Cota scored 11 points and had 10 rebounds in the game for the Rams.

PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

Yuma Catholic falls at River Valley

A late 3-pointer didn't fall and the Yuma Catholic girls basketball team fell 36-33 at River Valley on Thursday.

Makena Zamora had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Shamrocks. Madison Brazeel had 10 points and eight assists.

Tonopah tops Antelope

Despite a second-half comeback, Antelope fell to Tonopah Valley 39-28 on Thursday.

The Rams dug their way out of a 20-8 hole at halftime, but fell short of the win.

Shanna Skousen put up eight points in the game and Amelda Maynes had seven.