Raiders battle at 1A state tournament

by David Boyle
News Director
The Whitehorse boys basketball team competed at the 1A Utah State Basketball Tournament in Richfield this past weekend, wrapping up another successful season for the Raiders.
The #12 Raiders were defeated 87-64 by Milford in the second round of the tournament on Wednesday, March 1.
The Raiders trailed 24-16 after one quarter but a big second quarter for the Tigers was the difference as Milford held a 50-20 lead at halftime. The Tigers held the lead 74-40 after three quarters and while the Raiders cut into the lead in the fourth quarter the final favored Milford 87-64.
D’Wayne Nakai led Whitehorse scoring with 27 points including three three-pointers. Lyric Phillips scored 13 for the Raiders while Dominic Dance scored 12. Camron Nakai scored six while Elam Etsitty scored three points, Kalin Tohonnie scored two, and Tristan Black scored one.
The Raiders faced a tough draw in the first consolation round as they played Bryce Valley who ultimately finished sixth in the state. The Mustangs won 76-51 to eliminate the Raiders.
Whitehorse was led in scoring in the game by Phillips who scored 17 on the game, while D’Wayne Nakai scored 14 points. Tohonnie scored eight while Camron Nakai and Aiden Hamm scored four points. Kaleb Joe scored two points while Kelan Dee and Rylee Begay each had one point in the game.
Whitehorse seniors include Jose Gutierrez, Kai Yazzie, Camron Nakai and D’Wayne Nakai. The Raiders finished the season with ten wins and 14 losses. They were third in Region 23.