Navajo Prep Eagles Advance to Quarterfinals After 72–55 Opening Round Win
Story by Walter Dorman
The Navajo Prep Eagles are headed to the quarterfinals of the New Mexico State Basketball Tournament after a strong 72–55 victory over the Hot Springs Tigers in the opening round. With the win, the Eagles now turn their focus to a Wednesday night matchup with the #5 Santa Fe Indian Braves at the Rio Rancho Events Center.
For first-year head coach Garrison, the win was a reflection of the preparation and team mindset that the Eagles carried into the game.
“Just the team aspect of our approach to the game,” Garrison said when asked what stood out most about the victory. “It started with the preparation throughout the week, honing in our focus on the opponent. Even pregame, all the drills we were running looked crisp and clean. We were just ready to play together as a team. We executed our plays and it turned into a really fun game.”
Navajo Prep controlled the tempo throughout much of the contest by keeping the ball moving and staying disciplined within their offensive system.
“Keeping the ball moving and staying disciplined in our plays was big for us,” Garrison explained. “Our plays can develop really quickly, but sometimes it takes patience. We just controlled the tempo of the game, even down to the speed of us running our plays. At times we sped it up, and at times we slowed it down and let things develop.”
That patience paid off as the Eagles found success attacking inside.
Junior post players Jeremiah Belin and Breyden Benally provided a strong presence in the paint, giving Navajo Prep an advantage inside and helping the Eagles build momentum as the game progressed.
“We had an awesome showing from the juniors,” Garrison said. “Jeremiah Belin and Breyden Benally just went to work. The guards looked to incorporate them more into our plays. We limited our threes and really pounded the paint. You could just see the confidence building as the game went on.”
Garrison said playing at home also helped the team stay calm and confident in the state tournament atmosphere.
“I’m extremely proud of the boys,” he said. “I think the pressure wasn’t really there because we were at home and had a great crowd. The boys just started seeing the potential that we have as a team.”
Now the Eagles shift their attention to a familiar opponent in the quarterfinal round.
Navajo Prep faced Santa Fe Indian earlier this season during a tournament hosted at Santa Fe Indian School. The Eagles pulled out an exciting victory in that game, winning on a buzzer-beating three-pointer in the final moments.
“It was an awesome atmosphere there at the Pueblo Pavilion, and it came down to the last play of the game,” Garrison recalled. “We won on a buzzer-beater three. The stakes are higher now, but it was nice to see how we matched up against them earlier in the season.”
Because of that previous meeting, the Eagles feel confident heading into Wednesday’s quarterfinal.
“We knew most likely there was a high percentage we’d see Santa Fe Indian again at state,” Garrison said. “So that opportunity earlier in the year was really valuable for us. We’re pretty confident going down there and we’re excited for the atmosphere. I think it’s going to be the loudest crowd we’ve played in front of all season, and I think we thrive in that environment.”
For the Eagles and the Navajo Prep community, advancing to the quarterfinals is a significant moment and a reward for the work the team has put in all season.
“It means a lot,” Garrison said. “It shows the preparation we’ve done all season leading up to this point. We’re just taking it one game at a time. We’re focused and determined.”
Listen to the game live with a live broadcast on 92.5 KRWN FM. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. from the Rio Rancho Events Center. Get out and support your Navajo Prep Eagles.
