EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect comments made by Lee Williams head coach Eric Williams.

CAMP VERDE — The Lee Williams boys basketball team continued their winning ways this week, claiming a perfect 4-0 mark at the Yvonne Johnson Memorial Shootout in Camp Verde on Dec. 28-29.

When asked his thoughts on his club's midseason form, head coach Eric Williams said he admires the work his boys have put in so far.

"We appreciate where we are at this time and the work this team has done thus far. I believe taking it one game at a time and continuing to improve and develop as a team has been helpful," Williams said.

The Volunteers (9-4, 1-0 4A Grand Canyon) had no problem with Red Mesa (60-15 win) and Hopi (68-43 win) on day one of the tournament, but were given fits by the tournament host, Camp Verde, on day two.

Cowboys’ forward Chito Herrera scored 11 points on 4 of 17 shooting from the field, while Julian Perez scored eight points to lead Camp Verde (4-8, 0-0 3A North Central), but it wasn’t enough as Lee Williams won, 46-36.

The Volunteers advanced to the tournament championship against Hopi, defeating the Bruins 82-48.

When asked where the Volunteers go from here, especially with a tough region schedule ahead in January, Williams was optimistic.

"We can't make any predictions at this time due to it being too early, but we will continue to play game by game and reevaluate at the end of the season," Williams said. "I wish the best for every program, and my concern is making sure that our kids are getting the most out of this program. Again we do not know what is to come, but we are going to keep taking it one game at a time, improving, and continuing to build as a team." 

Lee Williams senior Jonathan Leon and freshman Devan Christian were named to the All-Tournament team for their performance during the two-day event.

RED MESA GIRLS CLAIM 10TH WIN

CAMP VERDE — Abigail Begay scored 17 points, Danika Chico chipped in with 15 and the Red Mesa girls basketball team claimed their fifth straight win with a 54-45 victory over Parker in the Yvonne Johnson Memorial Shootout championship game Wednesday night.

The Redskins (10-4, 0-0 1A North) went a perfect 4-0 during the two-day tournament in Camp Verde, claiming wins against Scottsdale Prep. (48-30), Parker (40-32) and Camp Verde (58-36) to get to the tournament title game.

Red Mesa has shown quite the improvement in the past year after going only 8-12 and missing the state playoffs a season ago. The Redskins are one of the top 1A clubs this season.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association will release power point rankings Jan. 5, 2023.

BOYS RESULTS

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Camp Verde 52, Pinon 48

Poston Butte 79, Wickenburg 23

Hopi 48, Parker 43

Lee Williams 60, Red Mesa 15

Poston Butte 67, Camp Verde 56

Lee Williams 68, Hopi 43

Wickenburg 70, Pinon 61

Parker 61, Red Mesa 20

Wednesday, Dec. 28

Consolation Bracket

Parker 77, Pinon 41

Wickenburg 67, Red Mesa 50

5th Place Game: Parker 68, Wickenburg 31

7th Place Game: Pinon 69, Red Mesa 39

Championship Bracket

Hopi 60, Poston Butte 55

Lee Williams 46, Camp Verde 36

Championship Game: Lee Williams 82, Hopi 48

Third Place Game: Poston Butte 64, Camp Verde 56

GIRLS RESULTS

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Camp Verde 55, Pinon 30

Hopi 74, Mayer 29

Red Mesa 48, Scottsdale Prep. 30

Parker 59, Chino Valley 15

Pinon 66, Mayer 24

Scottsdale Prep. 33, Chino Valley 20

Hopi 51, Camp Verde 37
Red Mesa 40, Parker 32

Wednesday, Dec. 28

Consolation Bracket

Scottsdale Prep. 45, Mayer 24

Pinon 46, Chino Valley 34

5th Place Game: Scottsdale Prep. 48, Pinon 41

7th Place Game: Chino Valley 45, Mayer 20

Championship Bracket

Red Mesa 58, Camp Verde 36

Parker 49, Hopi 38

Championship Game: Red Mesa 54, Parker 45

3rd Place Game: Hopi 35, Camp Verde 14

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.