Max Campodall’Orto is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Raymond S Kellis High School for AzPreps365.com

 

After a long and difficult start to the season, Kellis basketball is finally in the win column following back-to-back victories. The team has found a new energy going into the final three games.

 

“The atmosphere all around the team has changed,” guard Seth Adams said. “We’re enjoying each other’s company and having a good time. We know what we’re doing on the floor and we’re confident. We forgot how fun the game of basketball is.”

 

The first win of the season came Feb 23 at Agua Fria where the Cougars bested the Owls 44-33. Star freshman Jai Anthoni Bearden with 17 points and sophomore center Awan Kueth added eight rebounds and seven points on a perfect 3-3 from the field and 1-1 from the free throw line.

 

After beating Agua Fria, the Cougars turned their sights on the Independence Patriots.

 

Kellis started off the game with a huge alley-oop dunk by Bearden which coach De’Rahn Stinson described as “probably one of the most athletic lobs I’ve ever seen a kid catch.”

 

Sophomore Chris Ruiz,  who was playing in his return from injury, followed up with a 3-pointer.

 

With the momentum on its side and a sound defensive second half, Kellis coasted to a 69-36 win over the Patriots.

 

Bearden finished with a dominant 31 points and 17 rebounds. Junior guard Amare Arbizu was a floor general dishing out eight assists and adding eight points.

 

“We’re getting stops on the defensive side of the ball. Once we started getting stops, we translated that into getting easy transition points,” Stinson said. “We’re doing the little things; limiting our turnovers, taking care of the ball and getting easy rebounds. It makes the game much easier for us.”

 

And much more fun.

 

“We went out there and had fun, which was something we really lost sight of,” Arbizu said. “We’re turning it on late in the season and I’m proud of my guys for going out there and giving it everything. With three games left we’re just going to have fun and play hard.”

 

Ruiz said his team played with more confidence in its two wins. “I think this is a turning point for us and it really showed how good we can be when we play hard. These two wins felt great. It was a whole different energy from the team.”

 

With the newfound confidence and fire, Kellis hope to keep its win streak alive when it continues the season at 7 p.m. tonight at Ironwood.