Basketball Recap: Ayden Willie's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Newcomb over Thoreau

Newcomb was not able to break out of their rough patch on Wednesday as the team picked up their third straight defeat. They took a 65-57 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Thoreau Hawks. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Hawks this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 59-41 back in January.

Ayden Willie

Field Goal Percentage

02/05/25 vs Thoreau	62%
01/24/25 vs Crownpoint	71%
01/18/25 @ Wingate	64%
01/15/25 @ Thoreau	50%

Newcomb lost despite a true team effort on offense. The best among them was Ayden Willie, who went 8 of 13 to rack up 19 points and six boards. He is also on a roll when it comes to shooting accuracy, as he's posted one of at least 45% in the last four games he's played. Another player making a difference was Kinjii Natonabah, who went 6 for 13 on his way to 13 points along with eight rebounds and six assists.

Even though they lost, Newcomb smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 13 offensive boards. That's the most offensive rebounds they've posted since back in December of 2024.

Newcomb's loss dropped their record down to 6-15. As for Thoreau, their win ended a four-game drought on the road and puts them at 11-9.

Coming up, Newcomb will welcome Wingate at 7:00 p.m. on February 12th. As for Thoreau, they wasted no time getting back out on the court and have already played their next match, a 68-54 defeat against Navajo Prep on the 7th.