Local Glance (Jan. 3): Boys soccer, girls basketball, boys basketball

PREP BOYS SOCCER

Kofa scores pair of goals in second half

The way the Kofa boys soccer team grinded down El Centro-Central in the first half, it was only a matter of time before the Kings got on the scoreboard in the second half.

Turns out it only took a few seconds.

Senior midfielder Fabian Sanchez scored right away in the second half, and the Kings added another to beat Central 2-0 at home on Thursday night.

Sanchez's goal came off an assist by Angel Lopez and happened around 10 seconds into the second half.

Frank Mallek was fouled in the box in the 66th minute, and Jesus Felix scored on a penalty kick to put the game out of reach.

“We were comfortable even with a 1-0 lead because our defense wasn't giving anything up,” Kofa coach Jamie Nicewander said. “Nothing was within 19 yards. Nothing.”

Kofa (6-1) hosts Lake Havasu at 6 p.m. Tuesday after the girls, who play at 4 p.m.

PREP GIRLS BASKETBALL

Cibola beats Central

Cibola took care of El Centro-Central Thursday with 49-37 win.

Hannah Lackey led the Raiders with 12 points, and Baylee Lakey came in second with 11 points. Alexis Evans had seven rebounds in the contest.

“It was a good way to start after Christmas break,” said head coach Justin Hager.

Cibola (7-1) hosts Dobson at 7 p.m. today.

PREP BOYS BASKETBALL

Central takes down Cibola

After trailing by a point going into the fourth, the Cibola boys basketball team let El Centro-Central get away and lost 63-48 on Thursday night.

Steven Loucks scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, and Jordan Mitchell added 15 points.

“Defensively, we didn't look good in our man-to-man defense,” Cibola coach Tim Keller said.

The No. 5 Raiders, who picked up their first loss of the regular season, travel today to No. 9 Dobson.

Hawks split at tournament

The Gila Ridge boys basketball team lost on a buzzer-beater to Benson in the first round of the White Mountain Classic but came back and beat Willcox 59-45 in the second game of the day.

John McLaren scored 11 points in the Hawks' 52-50 loss to Benson. Against Willcox, Parker Rodriguez scored 16 and Kevin McCullough added 10.

The Hawks face Maricopa in a consolation quarterfinal today.