Rams get big win in OT; take over first place in 2A west region

It was a battle for first place in the 2A west region on Tuesday night when the 6-1 Rams of Maricopa locked horns with the 6-1 Rams of Antelope.

Antelope’s Aaron Ferris, with a quick lay up off the game opening jump ball, put Antelope on the board first. Maricopa guard Seville Slater put Maricopa on the board with a nice put back in the lane. Slater stole the ball and took it to coast-to-coast for the easy lay in, giving Maricopa an early 4-2 lead. Maricopa’s Karlyle Stephens grabbed the offensive rebound and drove the lane for two.

Antelope big man Mike Holten drained a three-pointer from wing, and forward Dillon Buchanan drove the lane for the easy lay in. Antelope’s Ferris knocked down a jumper in the lane, giving Antelope a 9-6 lead.

Maricopa forward Joe Zabawa grabbed the offensive rebound and went back up strong for two. Maricopa guard Justin Zabawa knocked down a bucket in the lane, giving Maricopa a 10-9 lead.

Antelope forward Buchanan nailed two jumpers from 15 feet out, giving Antelope a 13 -12 lead. With time winding down in the first quarter Antelope’s Ferris threw up a three-point prayer, and his prayer was answered at the buzzer, giving Antelope a 16-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Maricopa’s Slater drove through the lane for a lay up to open up the second quarter; then Maricopa guard Clinton Teller drove the baseline and went up strong for two. Teller was fouled on the play, putting him at the free throw line where he converted the old fashioned three-point play. Maricopa forward Kenny Klein grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back up for two down low. Then Slater grabbed the defensive rebound, ran the break and dished to Klein in transition for two off the glass, giving Maricopa a 21-16 lead. Maricopa forward Chris Miller came off the bench and found Klein for a short jumper in the lane. Teller misfired, but Klein grabbed the offensive rebound and put it back up for two.

Antelope’s Buchanan found forward Joe Finfrock down low for an easy two off the glass. Their big man Holten knocked down his second three-pointer from the wing, and Ferris drove the lane and converted the tough lay in, but Antelope still trailed 24-26. Maricopa’s Stephens drove the lane for the lay in. Antelope’s Holten was fouled on the three-point attempt, putting him at the free throw line where converted on one of three attempts. Antelope guard Chance Mixon knocked down a three from the wing. At the half it was knotted at 28-28.

Maricopa forward Joe Zabawa had a put back down low off a Slater miss. Antelope’s Holten knocked down his third three-pointer of the game, giving Antelope a 31-30 lead. Buchanan caught the ball in the lane and cut to the hoop for two off the glass for Antelope. Maricopa guard Justin Zabawa threw an over the top pass to Uli Rojas in stride, who took one step and laid the ball in the hoop. Maricopa’s Stephens followed his own miss with a nice put back down low. Antelope’s Madison Murdock knocked a jumper in the lane, giving Antelope a 38-31 lead. Antelope’s Holten nailed a jumper from the free throw line. Maricopa’s Joe Zabawa knocked down a short jumper in the lane. Maricopa’s Slater had a defensive steal and easy lay in. The Rams of Maricopa trailed 40-38 at the end of third quarter.

Maricopa’s Karlyle Stephens (#21) challenges two Antelope defenders as he drives to the basket during the second half last night. Stephens did score on the play.

Maricopa Ram Joe Zabawa (#24) shoots from the charity stripe during the second half against Antelope last night.

Antelope’s Mixon popped a three from the wing. Mixon’s teammate Holten popped for his fourth three-pointer of the game, giving Antelope a 46-38 lead. Antelope’s Ferris drove the lane and made the tough lay in off the glass, giving Antelope a double-digit lead with six minutes and change remaining in the game.

Maricopa guard Teller bounced a pass to Joe Zabawa for the lay in. Justin Zabawa threw an over top pass to Rojas for the lay in, but Maricopa still trailed 42-48 with 4:43 remaining in the game.

Maricopa came up with a big defensive stop with 4:18 remaining. Maricopa guard Slater knocked down a clutch three-pointer from the corner. Maricopa’s Joe Zabawa was fouled on the put back attempt, putting him at the line, where he drained the first and missed the second, but Zabawa grabbed his own miss and put it back up for two, tying the game at 48-48 with 2:56 remaining. Teller came up with a defensive steal and drew a blocking call on Antelope, putting him at the free throw line where he drained the first, giving Maricopa a 49-48 lead. Teller converted on his second attempt from the line with 2:12 remaining.

Maricopa’s Slater came up with a big defensive rebound down low. Maricopa’s Justin Zabawa was fouled going to the hole and converted one of two from the free throw line, giving Maricopa a 51-48 lead. Antelope’s Ferris drained a three from the corner to tie up the game at 51-51. Maricopa’s Slater came up with another big defensive rebound with 36 seconds remaining in regulation. Maricopa called a time out with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. Out of the time out Maricopa put the ball in Slater’s hands. He drove and pulled up for a jumper in the lane, but the ball bounced off the rim, sending the game into overtime.

Maricopa Ram Seville Slater (#15) breaks away inside for an easy two points in the fourth quarter last night against Antelope.

Rams Head Coach Rick Abel talks to his players during a timeout in overtime play against Antelope last night.

Antelope’s Buchanan, with a drive and a kiss off the glass, gave Antelope a 53-51 lead. Maricopa guard Rojas was fouled, putting him at the line where he converted one of two. Maricopa guard Teller drew a charge on the defensive end, giving the ball back to Maricopa with 1:42 remaining in overtime.

Maricopa guard Justin Zabawa, playing tough defense, came up with the steal and drove to the hoop for the lay in, giving Maricopa a 54-53 lead. Antelope’s Ferris, off the inbound pass for two, gave Antelope a 55-54 lead. On Antelope’s next offensive possession Justin Zabawa came up with a steal and found Rojas in the corner. Rojas lined up and knocked down a clutch three-pointer, giving Maricopa 57-55 with 31 seconds remaining. The Ram defense stood strong, and Rojas had three of four from the free throw line, giving Maricopa a 60-55 win.

The Maricopa High School boys’ varsity basketball team has taken over sole possession of first place in the 2A West region with a 7-1 record. inmaricopa.com caught up with head coach Rick Abel after the game and he stated, “This was the biggest win of the year; we beat a very good team.”

Joe Zabawa, who had 12 points, led the Ram scoring, followed by Uli Rojas with 11, Seville Slater with 11, Kenny Klein with 8, Justin Zabawa with 7 and Clinton Teller with 5.

The boys have two more remaining home games. Please come out and support Ram basketball. February 7th is Pack the GYM night. Maricopa looks to redeem its loss to bitter regional rival Yuma Catholic. The boys need your support, so come out and support Maricopa hoops.

Jan. 26 (Fri.) San Pasqual – Maricopa Girls (5:30 p.m.) Boys (7 p.m.)
Feb.7 (Wed.) Yuma Catholic – 4, 5:30, 7 p.m. Pack the GYM night

Photos by Jeremy Knop