Broncs close season with losses
By John Gutekunst
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 9:50 AM MST
The Parker Broncs varsity basketball team finished out their season with a pair of losses. They lost to the South Pointe Griffins, 73-65, Feb. 12 on the road. Their last game of the season, against Sedona at home Feb. 13, was a heartbreaker. The Broncs came within inches of pulling out a win, but wound up on the losing end, 57-56.
The Sedona game had been postponed from Feb. 10 due to bad weather in and around Sedona.
The last game marked the final appearances in Broncs' uniforms for seniors Javan Genc and Brandon Harper.
Against Sedona, the Broncs were down by 8 points with 40 seconds left when Sean Golding hit two three-pointers to put them within striking distance. The Broncs had a chance to win it just before the end of the game, but they lost control of the ball and Sedona held on for the win.
Genc had 15 points and 12 rebounds against Sedona, while Danny Patch had 14 points.
Against South Pointe, Patch led the Broncs with 25 points. Golding and Elias Ameelyenah each had 13 points, and Genc blocked eight shots.
The Broncs finish the season with a record of 3-9 against their 3A West opponents and 8-19 overall. Coach Kyle Peta said he as disappointed with the season, but added the younger players gained some needed varsity experience. He noted most of the players will be back next season.
"We took our lumps, but we were competitive in 90 percent of our games." Peta said. "We got some experience, and, hopefully, we'll be able to apply it next year."
Another rough week for Broncs
By John Gutekunst
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 11:31 AM MST
It was another rough week for the Parker Broncs varsity basketball team. They faced the Estrella Foothills Wolves at home on Jan. 27, and the score was almost the same as it was in the Broncs' earlier outing against the Wolves on Jan. 10: Estrella Foothills 100, Parker 62. The Wolves scored three fewer points than they did in the Jan. 10 game.
The Broncs also lost to River Valley, 55-44, on Jan. 29 on the road.
During the season, two Parker players have emerged among the top offensive players in the 3A West. Javan Genc's 17.3 points per game is second to Corey Hawkins of Estrella Foothills, who is averaging 29.7.
Genc and Sean Golding are tied for second in the 3A West in rebounds per game, with each averaging 11.3. The leader is Jesse Tonielli of River Valley, who is averaging 12 per game.
The Broncs are now 3-6 in conference play. They have two games left. On Feb. 3, they'll face Chino Valley at home. They'll close out the season at home against Sedona on Feb. 10.
Broncs drop two close ones for week
By John Gutekunst
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 2:35 PM MST
It was a heart breaking week for the Parker Broncs varsity basketball team as they lost two close ones. They lost to the Sedona Red Rock Scorpions, 57-51, on Jan. 20, and then lost to the Wickenburg Wranglers, 40-37, on Jan. 23.
Against Sedona, Coach Kyle Peta said the team made too many turnovers. They managed to make a good run in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.
Javan Genc led the Broncs with 20 points.
In the Wickenburg game, Peta said the Broncs played hard, but they couldn't get the ball in the net.
"We just couldn't make our shots," he said. "It was a disappointing loss."
Peta said the team has been practicing hard, and they've made real improvement. He said they need to focus on protecting the ball better and performing under pressure.
"We're there in every game," Peta said. "We'll turn this around. We'll get there. We need to re-focus and play well down the stretch."
The Broncs are now 3-4 in 3A West conference play. They have five games left, all of them against conference opponents. This week, they'll face 3A powerhouse the Estrella Foothills Wolves on Jan. 27 at home. In their last encounter, the Wolves defeated the Broncs, 102-61. Thre freshmen will play at 4 p.m., followed by the junior varsity at 5:30, and the varsity at 7.
On Jan. 29, the Broncs hit the road to play River Valley.
Broncs facing more conference rivals
By John Gutekunst
Thursday, January 22, 2009 11:32 AM MST
The Parker Broncs' varsity boys' basketball team had only one game last week. They lost to the Chino Valley Cougars, 55-44 on Jan. 13. The loss leaves them with a record of 3-2 in conference play, which has them tied for second with Chino Valley.
Parker's Javan Genc and Sean Golding have turned into two of the top players in the 3A West conference this year. Genc's 17.3 points per game are second only to Estrella Foothills Corey Hawkins, whose average is 29.3 points per game. Genc leads the conference with 2.7 blocks per game.
Golding leads the conference with an average of 5.2 assists per game. He and Genc are tied for second in rebounds with an average of 11.3 per game. Golding also has an average of 13.2 points per game.
This week, the Broncs will go on the road on Jan. 20 to play the Sedona Red Rock Scorpions. On Jan. 23, they'll head for Wickenburg and a game with the Wranglers. Their next home game will be on Jan. 27, when they host the top 3A team in the state, the Estrella Foothills Wolves. In a game earlier this season, the Wolves pounded the Broncs, 102-66.
On Jan. 27, the freshmen will play at 4 p.m., followed by the junior varsity at 5:30, and then the varsity at 7 p.m.
Broncs start new year with two wins
By John Gutekunst
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 10:06 AM MST
The Parker Broncs varsity boys basketball team got off to a rousing start to the new year as they defeated the River Valley Dust Devils, 49-46, on Jan. 6 and then beat the South Pointe Griffins, 70-50 on Jan. 9. They then hit a brick wall when they played the top-ranked 3A team in the state, the Estrella Foothills Wolves, on Jan. 10. They went down to defeat, 103-62.
Against River Valley at home, the Broncs played a close game that went back and forth until late in the fourth quarter, when the Broncs pulled away for good. Coach Kyle Peta said the team really didn't pull it out until the last minute.
Sean Golding led the Broncs with 24 points, including six three-pointers. Peta said he made some key plays in the fourth quarter.
Against South Pointe, the Broncs had four players in double figures for points: Golding (17), Javan Genc (16), Danny Patch (13) and Elias Ameelyenah (11). Peta said the team played very well in the second half.
As for the Estrella Foothills game, Peta said the Wolves did to Parker what they've been doing to everyone else for the last two seasons: they completely dominated.
Peta said there were times when the Broncs played well, and others when they didn't. He noted that, even after being down 30-6 in the first quarter, the Broncs didn't give up.
"We played well, but it wasn't good enough." he said. "Our defense wasn't where it needed to be."
Estrella Foothills' Corey Hawkins topped all scorers with 48 points. Guy Self led the Broncs with 13 points.
The Broncs are now 3-1 against the 3A West rivals, and they're in second in the conference. Peta said that, aside from Estrella Foothills, the conference is pretty even. He said the Broncs are shooting for second place.
This week, the Broncs will go on the road to play Chino Valley on Tuesday. Their next home date will be on Jan. 27, when they again face the Estrella Foothills Wolves
Broncs fare poorly at Blue Ridge tournament
By John Gutekunst
Wednesday, January 7, 2009 11:14 AM MST
The Parker Broncs boys' varsity basketball team has a rough time on Jan. 2 and 3 at the Blue Ridge Invitational in Lakeside-Pinetop. The Broncs went 1-4, defeating Arizona Lutheran and losing to Show Low, Alchesay, St. John's and Joseph City.
Coach Kyle Peta said he did not have the scores, but added the team did not play well at all. He said it was just as well these games didn't count in the standings.
"Our offense isn't moving the ball well," he said. "We definitely have a lot of stuff we need to work on. Luckily, these games don't count for power points."
Peta said Guy Self, who was recently called up from Junior Varsity, played well in the Broncs' losses.
The Broncs get back to playing their 3A West conference rivals this week. On Tuesday, they face River Valley at home, and they have a home date against South Pointe on Friday. For both dates, the freshmen are set for 4 p.m., the junior varsity will play at 5:30, and the varsity will follow at 7.
On Saturday, Jan. 10, the Broncs will go on the road to play 3A West powerhouse Estrella Foothills. As of press time, Estrella Foothills 5-0, On Jan. 3, they defeated Payson, 92-52.
Broncs take two for week
By John Gutekunst
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 1:41 PM MST
The Parker Broncs' varsity basketball team had a good week, winning two games. They defeated 3A West rival Wickenburg, 64-48, on Dec. 8 and then defeated the Estrella Charter School, 82-59, on Dec. 12.
Coach Kyle Peta emphasized this was not 3A West powerhouse Estrella Foothills.
Peta said the team played well against Wickenburg, and it was a good start for playing their conference rivals. He said the team was particularly sound in the second half. He was impressed with how they made their scores.
Sean Golding led Parker with 20 points.
Against Estrella Charter School, Javan Genc led Parker with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Golding had a "triple double:" 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. The game also saw good efforts from Danny Patch and Elias Ameelyenah.
The Broncs are now 1-0 in conference play and 4-2 overall. Later this week, on Dec. 18-20, they'll play in the Lake Havasu Invitational in Lake Havasu City. Their first game will be against the Havasu Knights at 3 p.m. on Dec. 18.
In addition to Havasu, other schools which are expected to be at the tournament include Kingman, River Valley, and last year's 4A state champions, Desert Edge from the West Valley.
Broncs improve record
By John Gutekunst
Friday, December 12, 2008 10:15 AM MST
It was a good week for the Parker Broncs varsity basketball team as they went 2-1 and improved their overall record to 2-2.
They began the week with a 75-70 win over Palo Verde (Blythe) on Dec. 1 at home. They then defeated Salt River, 64-51, on Dec. 2 at home, and then lost to Yuma Catholic, 58-38, on the road on Dec. 3.
Coach Kyle Peta said the team is now aware of some things they need to work on. He said they had a tough time handling pressure. He said Sean Golding and Javan Genc were excellent at grabbing defensive rebounds, but the team needs to improve on offensive rebounds.
A surprise for the week was sophomore guard Cesar Lopez. He scored 20 points against Palo Verde, and followed that performance with 17 points against Salt River. In the Salt River game, Golding had 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Genc also had 10 rebounds.
This week, the Broncs will take on the Estrella Charter School at 7 p.m. on Dec. 12. Peta emphasized this is not 3A powerhouse Estrella Foothills. Next week, the Broncs will play in the Lake Havasu Invitational on Dec. 18, 19, and 20. Game times and opponents will be announced.
Young Broncs look to be competitive
By John Gutekunst
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 3:48 PM MST
The Parker Broncs' varsity basketball team made a game of it against Santa Cruz on Nov. 26, but they ended up falling short, 55-51.
Javan Genc led the Broncs with 25 points and 20 rebounds.
Coach Kyle Peta admits this is something of a rebuilding year for the Broncs, who lost 10 seniors from last year's squad. The players are young, but Peta said they are eager to play and to learn.
"These kids are really working hard," he said. "This is a fun group to coach."
Peta said Genc, who stands 6 feet-6 inches tall, and Sean Golding will be their "go to guys" this year. He added the Broncs' defense, led by guards Brandon Harper and Adrian Chavez, will be tough.
As for their competition, Peta said Estrella Foothills again looks like the team to beat in the 3A West.
Peta said the Broncs will be competitive this season.
"We'll play one game at a time," he said. "We've come a long way, and we're making huge strides. If we keep improving like we have been, we should be pretty tough by the end of the year."
The Broncs have three games set this week. They faced Palo Verde on Monday at home. They'll play Salt River at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at home. On Wednesday, they'll travel to Yuma Catholic.
