Basketball Game Preview: Yuma Criminals vs. Gila Ridge Hawks

The Yuma Criminals will challenge the Gila Ridge Hawks at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Yuma is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 64.1 points per game this season.

Yuma is headed into the matchup having just suffered their biggest defeat since February 5, 2024 on Monday. They were dealt a 69-40 loss at the hands of Dysart. The contest marked the Criminals' lowest-scoring game so far this season.

Despite their defeat, Yuma saw several players rise to the challenge and make noteworthy plays. Nick Amador, who posted 17 points and five rebounds, was perhaps the best of all. Amador is also on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in the last 15 games he's played dating back to last season. Another player making a difference was Andy Mosqueda, who almost dropped a double-double on ten points and nine boards.

Meanwhile, Gila Ridge was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their seventh straight loss. They were six points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 57-51 heartbreaker at the hands of Mountain View.

Gila Ridge's defeat dropped their record down to 1-10. As for Yuma, their loss was their first in the region, dropping their region record down to 2-1 and their overall record down to 5-4.

Yuma took their victory against Gila Ridge in their previous meeting back in January of 2024 by a conclusive 75-55. Will Yuma repeat their success, or does Gila Ridge have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.