The Coconino Panthers lost to the Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions back in December of 2021, but the Coconino Panthers didn't allow the Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions the same satisfaction on Friday. Coconino came out on top in a nail-biter against Mountain Ridge and snuck past 42-40. The win made it back-to-back wins for Coconino.
Aviana Scharfenberger was her usual excellent self, scoring 16 points along with nine rebounds. Autumn Larsen was another key contributor, scoring six points along with 11 rebounds.
Mountain Ridge's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kaliyahna Baldwin, who scored 11 points. The team also got some help courtesy of Tahlia Hempen, who scored seven points along with five rebounds.
Coconino's win bumped their record up to 6-7. As for Mountain Ridge, they have fallen quite a ways from their 18-9 record last season and are now at 4-7.
Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Coconino will wrap up 2023 with a road trip to face off against Kellis at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Kellis is strutting with some offensive muscle, as they've averaged 62.3 points per game. Mountain Ridge will wrap up 2023 with a road trip to face off against Tucson High Magnet School at 12:00 p.m. on Friday. Tucson High Magnet School is coming into the match on a three-game losing streak.
