MHS girls’, boys’ basketball gets started (GALLERY)

Maricopa High School girls’ basketball is off to a strong start with a 4-2 record. The losses came in tournament play against 6A teams during the Thanksgiving break.

“We definitely had a good start. We were able to get some good competition in the holiday tournament this past weekend,” head coach RaShawn Calvert said. “It’s only going to prepare us for our region game. We’re able to get minutes for a lot of people right now, so it can help us in the future as well.”

Meanwhile, the MHS boys’ varsity started with a 2-3 record. The victories have been against charter schools  in tournament games.

Thursday, the girls defeated Camelback at home, 48-18, while the boys’ lost to the same school on the road, 53-25.

Junior Brooke Smith led Maricopa with 10 points as the girls spread the scoring around. She also had two rebounds and three steals.

Antanique Fortune hit two three pointers on her way to scoring eight points, followed by Andrea Harker, Shakira Gillespie and Shelby Smith with six each, Jenae Ford and Tayler Riley-Coleman with five each and Kaelyn Peters with two. Riley-Coleman had five steals, Kat Gores had four rebounds, and Evone Santiago had 4 assists.

They travel to North Canyon tonight to take on the 2-3 Rattlers. Calvert said her girls need to work on keeping a competitive mindset “no matter who we’re playing, whether they’re the last team in the state or the first team in the state; coming out every night and working on the things we need to get better at. Obviously, our turnovers have to improve, and just being confident, having the confidence to get the rebound or take the shot. Just go out there and play.”

The MHS boys, playing a similarly aggressive running game, will host 1-1 North Canyon at 7 p.m.

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