Rams headed to Flagstaff for playoffs

The Maricopa High School boys basketball team will grab their jerseys and jackets Monday morning and head to Flagstaff where they will play their first game of the playoffs.

After finishing the season tied for second place in their first year playing at the 3A level the Rams earned one of 16 playoff spots in Arizona’s 3A bracket.

Maricopa (15-9) will face Monument Valley from Kayenta, who finished their season with a 21-5 record and first place in the 3A North Region.

Coach Andy Branchik said he is looking forward to the game and added that he believes his team has a good chance of winning.

“If we play our game and take care of the basketball we definitely have a strong chance of winning,” he said.

Even before the playoffs begin Branchik said he is proud of his team’s accomplishments in their first season of 3A basketball. The boys basketball team is the only winter team sport to make the playoffs this year (wrestlers made the state championship tournament on an individual basis).

“We worked hard for this,” Branchik said.

He also noted that the players have not shown any sign of nervousness and more than anything seem excited to have chance to play at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome at Northern Arizona University.

If the Rams win on Monday they will make the drive back to Maricopa for school on Tuesday and then go to Flagstaff one more time Wednesday for the second round of the tournament to face either Chinle or Tuba City High School, depending on the first game’s results.

If You Go:
What: Maricopa High Basketball vs. Monument Valley
When: Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Where: J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome at NAU South San Francisco Street, Flagstaff, AZ 86011

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