Silverado snags National Invitational title

By Steve Silver

Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008 | 1 a.m.

Silverado's boys basketball team is on a mission this season.

Forget the trophies, titles and personal accolades; the Skyhawks just want a little respect.

After edging Canyon Springs 67-65 in the championship game of the National Invitational at Durango High School on Monday, Silverado will not have to worry about being overlooked by opponents anymore.

The Skyhawks (13-2) have won 10 consecutive contests and are on track to top the Southeast Division.

"I knew it was our turn, I just knew it," Silverado coach Ron Childress said. "I told them this morning in walk-through that Canyon Springs has had their chance. They've been to state, they've been regional champions. We've been knocking on the door, but we haven't been able to break through yet."

Silverado's potent offense, which averages more than 70 points per game, struggled in the first half against Canyon Springs' full-court press defense.

After building a 12-10 lead through the first quarter, the Skyhawks fell behind by three points in the second before free throws by Silverado guard Ali Sabra tied the game at 22-all by halftime.

"We've learned to win from even, from ahead and from behind. So to pull this off like we did, it shows they are coming along," Childress said. "They're growing as a team."

The defensive battled ensued in the third quarter as Silverado took a 34-33 lead into the final quarter.

Silverado guard James Lata, who tallied a team-high 24 points, led Silverado's explosive fourth quarter that saw the Skyhawks construct a 51-44 lead with less than three minutes remaining.

"(Lata) is one tough kid," Childress said. "He's always been there. We just had to run through some rough edges with him. But he's a player."

Canyon Springs rallied in the final minute but ultimately the clock became an unbeatable enemy and Silverado eked out the championship.

Not only did Silverado claim some new hardware for the trophy case, but the victory also turned a spotlight on Sabra.

Despite scoring just 10 points in the title game, Sabra earned tournament Most Valuable Players honors.

"Honestly I didn't think I was going to get it," Sabra said. "I don't know how they choose it, but this tournament wasn't even that good of a tournament for me. But I guess running the team and winning the tournament and my defense stood out."

Sabra' backcourt partner, Lata, was named to the all-tournament team. Those two seniors, plus senior forward Wade Collie, who notched 21 points Monday, will anchor the Skyhawks heading into 2009.

"These players work hard together, have fun together and they love each other," Childress. "What they did today was no surprise."

Other National Invitational scores:

Spring Valley def. Durango 54-53

Cheyenne def. Chaparral 71-52

Mojave def. Canyon Country (Calif.) 41-38

Rancho def. Roosevelt (Calif.) 59-43

Steve Silver can be reached at 948-7822 or [email protected].