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Ram hoopsters go 2-2 in Copa Classic

Jan 4, 2007

The Maricopa High School boys’ varsity basketball team took a 1-1 record into the second day of the annual Copa Classic. The Rams needed two victories in day two of the tournament to get to the Copa Classic championship game.

The boys’ team picked up its second win in the Copa Classic last Thursday afternoon against the Red Raiders of Ajo.

Rams down Ajo
Red Raider guard Hector Campa drained a three-pointer from the top of the key giving the Red Raiders an early 8-2 lead. The Ram offense struggled early, but kicked it into gear behind the shooting of Ram guards Uli Rojas and Sean Soliz. The tandem knocked down some jumpers and made several free throws to give the Rams a 23-11 lead.

In the second quarter Ram guard Robert Parks was the spark plug off the bench. He made five of six from the charity stripe, had a nice put back for two and had a sweet one touch pass to Ram forward Kenny Klein, giving the Rams a 34-23 lead at the half.

The hot shooting continued in the second half as Ram guard Stephen Wess drained a three-pointer to open up the third quarter. The Ram defense came up with some nice defensive rebounds and some big steals which led to some nice fast break baskets. Ram forward Joe Zabawa tallied eight points in the third quarter, and Seville Slater came off the bench and had twelve points in the quarter. The Rams went on to win 75-39.

Sean Soliz, who had 14 points, led the Ram scoring, followed by Seville Slater with 12, Gabe Jenkins with 10, Uli Rojas with 9 and Joe Zabawa with 8.

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Maricopa’s Seville Slater (#15) shoots a free throw during the first half of Thursday’s game in the semi-final round of the Copa Classic Basketball Tournament.

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Ram Joe Zabawa (#24) goes in for two points during the first half of semi-final play in Thursday night’s tournament.

Lions chew up Rams
In the tournament semi-finals the Rams met the Lions of Pusch Ridge Christian. The Rams got a quick jump on the Lions with some baskets down low by Zabawa and Jenkins. Ram guard Clinton Teller was fouled on a lay up and converted the free throw, giving him the old fashioned three-point play. The Rams had a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Pusch Ridge started out slow, but, as the game continued, Lion Aaron Mcleod carried his team on both ends of the floor. Mcleod drained two three-pointers and converted on six of seven from the line, giving the Lions a 31-28 lead at the half.

Five minutes went by in the third quarter before the Ram offense hit a basket. Slater with a steal and fast break lay in ended the scoring drought. After a Zabawa put back, the Rams trailed 35-32. Pusch’s Mcleod drove the lane and finished with a nice finger roll.

Mcleod stretched the Lion lead to double digits when he drained a three-pointer from the baseline. The Ram offense made a late run, behind the scoring of Slater and Karlyle Stephens, but it was too little too late; the Lions took the Rams down by a score of 55-44.

Ram forward Joe Zabawa (#24) keeps the pressure on during the first half of the semi-finals Thursday night in the Copa Classic Basketball Tournament.

Ram guard Robert Parks (#30) shoots a three-pointer during the second half of semi-final play in the Copa Classic Basketball Tournament.