Basketball Recap: Deer Valley Takes Loss Despite Strong Efforts from Lilah Clark and Cecilia Romero

Deer Valley was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They took a 54-47 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Pima Roughriders. While losing is never fun, the Skyhawks can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Arizona basketball rankings (they are ranked 129th, while the Roughriders are ranked 47th).

Deer Valley's loss came despite strong showings from Cecilia Romero and Lilah Clark. Romero posted 14 points and four steals, while Clark put up 13 points and three steals. That's the most steals Clark has posted since back in January of 2024. Anayiah Bellamy was another key player, putting up three points along with five rebounds and four steals.

Pima had a senior duo take command as Adysen Hoopes almost dropped a double-double on 19 points and nine boards and Sadie Richardson went 5 of 10 on her way to 12 points in addition to seven steals and six boards. Richardson is on a roll when it comes to steals, as she's now grabbed two or more in the last 22 games she's played dating back to last season.

Deer Valley's loss dropped their record down to 5-8. As for Pima, their win bumped their record up to 10-2.

Deer Valley wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next match, a 78-40 defeat against Paradise Honors on the 8th. As for Pima, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next contest, a 51-33 loss against Red Mountain on the 4th.