Dobson slips past Tucson, 61-56

December 6, 2022 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Dobson's Zayonte Bolton (4) pulls up for a jumper over Tucson's Jeremiah Luna (1) in the Mustangs' 61-56 win on Tuesday. (Azpreps365 photo)

Dobson boys basketball fans got their first look at their team on Tuesday and were treated to a victory.

A back-and-forth battle with visiting Tucson High was a solid test. The Mustangs passed, securing a 61-56 triumph using a strong second half to rally for their fourth consecutive victory.

Dobson (5-2 overall, 3-0 power-ranking games) was paced by a pair of double-digit scorers win winning its fourth game in a row. The Mustangs received a team-high 20 points from junior Donovan Beard and 12 points from senior Justin Begay. Beard tallied 14 of his 20 in the second half. Tucson (6-2, 3-2) finished with two players in double figures -- a game-high 22 points from senior forward Antoine Green and 14 from sophomore guard Xavier Grajeda. 

Dobson, which trailed 27-23 at halftime, opened the third period with an 11-2 run paced by Beard and Zayonte Bolton. That put the Mustangs up 34-29, but that lead was destroyed by a 10-1 Badgers run in the final 90 seconds of the quarter. Dobson scratched and clawed to regain the lead, 42-41 heading to the final quarter.

The lead changed hands four times over the first three minutes of the fourth. Dobson took the lead for good (50--47) thanks to a long, three-point field goal by Bolton. Two more threes (Anthony Bolton and Beard) put the Mustangs up 56-52 with 3:14 to play. Three free throws by Jashawn Kinney and two by Begay iced the game in the final 20 seconds.

Dobson's season continues Thursday with a game at Trevor Browne. Tucson stays on the road, albeit closer to home at Desert View.