Antelope heads to state championship bracket for second time in three years

The Rams spoiled the Redskins come back bid Friday night, winning 55-48 to head back to the state championship bracket

WELLTON, Ariz. (KYMA) - With a trip to the state tournament on the line, Antelope held off a late surge from the Red Mesa Redskins to secure a 55-48 victory in a 1A play-in game, sending the Rams back to the postseason for the second time in three years.

Coming out of the half and entering the third quarter, Antelope appeared to be in control.

In the third frame, Trane Figueroa received an inbounds pass, made a move and delivered a behind-the-back pass to Kevin Yeghoian for a layup, igniting the crowd and stretching the Rams' lead to 16 points. Yeghoian finished with 10 points and 16 rebounds, recording a double-double and anchoring the interior on both ends of the floor.

Red Mesa, however, refused to go down quietly.

The Redskins turned defense into offense as Jovun Paul pushed the ball ahead to Ethan Jucal, who converted an up-and-under layup to spark a run.

Paul continued to apply pressure, backing down his defender for a floater off the glass before spinning through traffic for a tough layup on the next possession. The lead quickly shrank as the teams traded highlight plays under the bright lights.

When the game tightened in the fourth quarter, Antelope responded.

Antonio Luna delivered a pump fake and knocked down a three-pointer before calmly converting key free throws down the stretch. Luna finished with 13 points, helping seal the seven-point victory.

Afterward, the Rams celebrated not only the win but the atmosphere that surrounded it.

"To go to state means a lot, because it means that we're one of the best teams from Antelope," said junior point guard Chris Perez said.

Perez credited the team's chemistry as a driving force behind the postseason push.

"Our chemistry is pretty good," Perez said. "Me and Trane grew up at the park shooting around, played on the same AAU team, and then same thing with Seth and Ozzie at the park."

Senior Center Seth Holiday echoed that sentiment, pointing to both the energy in the gym and the team's veteran presence.

"I like how everybody showed out. I like how we had the ESPN table. I love how they were getting hype, showing love to us," Holiday said.

Holiday also embraced the Rams' underdog identity saying, "Everybody thinks we're a small school, but hey, we're a small school, but we still got it."

And they sure do got it, as they are headed to the 1A state tournament with the win.

They will hit the road to face the Williams Vikings this Tuesday at 7 p.m.