Basketball Game Preview: Alchesay Falcons vs. Payson Longhorns

Alchesay is 3-0 against Payson since January of 2015 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Saturday. Having just played yesterday, the Alchesay Falcons will head out on the road to face off against the Payson Longhorns at 7:30 p.m. Keep an eye on the score for this one: both posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.

On Friday, everything went Alchesay's way against Blue Ridge as Alchesay made off with a 69-45 victory. With the Falcons ahead 34-10 at the half, the game was all but over already.

Alchesay relied on the efforts of Max Antonio, who dropped a double-double on 11 points and ten boards, and Micah Yazzie, who went 6 of 11 on his way to 13 points and seven rebounds. That's the most boards Yazzie has posted since back in November of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Adrian Dosela, who posted nine points and three steals.

Meanwhile, Payson can finally bid farewell to their four-game losing streak thanks to their game on Thursday. They managed a 58-53 win over Bourgade Catholic.

Payson's win came from a few key players Alchesay will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Omar Fierro-Nava, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and 11 rebounds. Payton Stuart was another key player, going 6 of 10 on his way to 15 points.

Payson was working as a unit and finished the game with 18 assists. That's the most assists they've managed all season.

Payson's victory was their first in the region, bumping their region record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 6-9. As for Alchesay, they have been performing well recently as they've won three of their last four matchups, which provided a nice bump to their 15-6 record this season.

Everything came up roses for Alchesay against Payson when the teams last played back in December of 2019, as the team secured an 85-56 win. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was Payson's Hunter Lee, who dropped a double-double on 19 points and 12 rebounds. Now that he won't be playing on Saturday, will it be easier for Alchesay to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.