Snowflake has been on cruise control since December with their one and only loss, by just 3 points, coming to Pueblo on Nov. 25. Those Warriors have put together an overall record of 23-4 at the 5A level and are seeded eighth in the 4A-6A open tournament showing just how tough they are.
Since that loss, Snowflake has won 24 consecutive games with only one of those by less than 10 points. Just a dominating performance by Mike Brogan’s senior heavy roster. The team is currently 29-1.
Snowflake earned the top seed in the Copper tournament and easily advanced through the first two rounds. They hosted 16th seeded Pusch Ridge on Tuesday and despite a slow first half they cruised to a 55-29 win in the second half, sending the Lions back to the 3A state bracket where they are now seeded 5th.
That win advanced Snowflake to the quarterfinal round of the Copper where they took care of visiting Page on Thursday night by a final of 59-44. Page is one of the better defensive teams from the 3A north but now finds themselves headed back to the 3A state bracket where they are now the No. 2 overall seed.
Snowflake joins No. 2 Tuba City, No. 3 Pima and No. 4 Valley Christian in the semi-final round of the Copper Tournament. Unlike last year, this year at least in the girls’ side, there were no apparent losses that were unconventional, meaning the top four ranked teams in the Copper tournament are now set and can no longer return to their respective state championships.
Snowflake has already faced two of the other three teams in the bracket this year surviving a 1-point win over Tuba City and winning by 16 on the road at Valley Christian in mid-January. Most area fans would like to see a Snowflake and Tuba City rematch and may get their wish.
The semifinal round of the Copper tournament will be played at Winslow High School this Saturday with Snowflake and Valley Christian tipping off at 3 p.m., followed by Pima and Tuba City starting at 6 p.m. The two winners will play in the Copper title game at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
