Basketball Recap: Marcos de Niza Comes Up Short

Marcos de Niza was not able to break out of their rough patch on Friday as the team picked up their tenth straight defeat. They were five points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 35-30 heartbreaker at the hands of the Arcadia Titans. The Padres lost against the Titans in their previous head to head back in January of 2024, too, but the margin this time around was much closer than the 54-26 score last time.

Abigail Cooper

Points

01/24/25 vs Arcadia	14
12/06/24 @ Moon Valley	13
12/12/24 @ Cortez	10
12/09/24 vs Desert Sunrise	9
01/22/25 @ Saguaro	8

Despite the loss, Marcos de Niza saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Abigail Cooper posted 14 points in addition to six rebounds and three steals. That's the most points Cooper has posted since back in November of 2024. Nailani Joe was another key player, putting up three points and five steals.

Even though they lost, Marcos de Niza smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 13 offensive boards in three consecutive matches.

Marcos de Niza's defeat dropped their record down to 4-16. As for Arcadia, with the victory, they broke their three-game losing streak and moved their record to 3-14.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Marcos de Niza will venture away from home to face off against St. Mary's at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Marcos de Niza has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games. As for Arcadia, they will take on Cactus Shadows at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Cactus Shadows will roll in looking for their seventh straight win, something Arcadia surely won't give up without a fight.