Yuma ends two-game skid with win against San Luis

From the opening tip, to the ending buzzer, the Yuma High boys basketball team controlled every aspect of the game Tuesday night in defeating the San Luis 81-34 in the opening round of the Gila Valley Region tournament at the Palace on Prison Hill.
 
The Criminals jumped out of the gate early forcing 11 first quarter turnovers en route to a 33-8 run and never looked back.  Although the Criminals had beaten the Sidewinders decisively the previous two times they faced each other, Yuma head coach Louie Pisano wanted his team to come out strong and focused.
 
“In these types of situations you don't want to take anything for granted,” Pisano said.  “Anything can happen. I wanted our guys to come out strong and play our game and that's what they did.”
 
Mitchell Harmon had four steals and Carlos Wallet blocked four shots for the Criminals during the first quarter which helped fuel the offensive run.
 
The second quarter saw Yuma showcase its depth as five new players came off the bench to further add to the lead. Sharpshooter Randell Chavez went 5-for-5 from the floor and scored 12 points during the quarter. He finished with a game high 19 for the game.
 
Harmon scored 13 points while Ricardo Quintero and Wallet both chipped in 11 for the Criminals.
 
The Sidewinders were lead by Moses Ramirez who netted 12 points. The win snapped back-to-back losses for the Crims.
 
In earlier action Cibola defeated Gila Ridge 65-46. The Raiders were lead by Andrew Aldama who scored a game-high 29 points. Aldama scored all 16 Cibola points of the first quarter as the Raiders built a 12 point lead and never let the Hawks come close.
 
The win for the Raiders means a rematch with Yuma at 6 p.m. today at the Palace. Cibola beat the Criminals 58-50 just four days ago.
 
“That's going to be a tough game,” said Pisano.  “Cibola just beat us on Friday so their going to have a ton of confidence.  We'll be ready for them and I think it will be a great rematch.”