Basketball Recap: Payson Takes a Loss

Payson was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They were outmatched by the Gilbert Christian Knights and fell 86-46. While losing is never fun, the Longhorns can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Arizona basketball rankings (they are ranked 208th, while the Knights are ranked 52nd).

Bryson Waterman-Echols

Field Goal Percentage (Career)

02/04/25 vs Gilbert Christian	67%
01/18/25 @ Gilbert Christian	60%
12/10/24 vs ALA - Ironwood	50%
12/03/24 vs Thatcher	50%
01/25/25 @ ALA - Ironwood	44%

Despite the loss, Payson had strong showings from Omar Fierro-Nava, who posted 13 points and six rebounds, and Bryson Waterman-Echols, who had ten points and six boards. The dominant performance also gave Waterman-Echols a new career-high in field goal percentage (67%). Landon Hansen was another key player, putting up six points.

Jace Olson was his usual excellent self, shooting 5-for-8 from long range and almost dropping a double-double on 33 points and nine rebounds for Gilbert Christian. Another player making a difference was Logan Lucero, who dropped a double-double on 12 points and ten assists.

Payson's defeat dropped their record down to 9-17. As for Gilbert Christian, they are on a roll lately: they've won 12 of their last 13 contests, which provided a massive bump to their 17-7 record this season.

Looking ahead, Payson is taking a road trip to square off against Holbrook at 7:00 p.m. on February 14th. Holbrook is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 57.1 points per game this season. As for Gilbert Christian, they have already played their next game, a 72-63 win against ALA - Ironwood on the 6th.