MHS girls’ basketball poised for playoff run (video)

Maricopa High School girls’ basketball rode an eight game winning streak into the final week of the season.

The Rams hit a rough patch in the middle of the season when they lost back-to-back games against Valley Christian High School and Seton Catholic High School (the latter by 40 points). Since then, Maricopa has won in dominant fashion and climbed to a season-high sixth place in the Arizona Interscholastic Association Division II Power Rankings.

“We’ve developed a few bad habits that we have to correct,” head coach Melvin Mitchell said. “We (commit fouls thinking) we can block every shot and not do the things that we need to do to be successful, so those are things we need to work on moving forward.”

The team’s recent success can be attributed to the team’s health nearing 100 percent. The Rams lost junior forward Tyra Williams early in the year, and many feared her season would be over. However, Williams is back on the floor and playing at a high level.

“We’re coming off a couple of injuries, so we’re trying to get those girls going and slowly work them back in,” Mitchell said.

Dominant play from senior Raegene Womack and Danae Ruiz have also contributed to the team’s winning streak.

If the Rams can hold on to a top eight ranking, Maricopa will receive a first round bye in the AIA state playoffs, and host their first playoff game in the second round of the tournament.

“I think we’re set up pretty good,” Mitchell said. “I think we’ll be pretty competitive going in. Hopefully we can go to state with the attitude that every game will be our last.”

Maricopa will finish out the regular season on Feb. 5 before beginning the Section VI Tournament on Feb. 9, at Marcos De Niza High School in Tempe.

MHS girls v. Skyline

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