With a 51-26 win over Yuma High, Cibola's girls basketball team is only one step away from its ultimate goal of playing in the state tournament.
The Raiders (13-8, 8-0 5A Gila Valley), used their pressure to force early turnovers and jump out to a first quarter lead of 16-6. They then rode that lead to the win.
Their undefeated regional record means Cibola will host the regional tournament next week. Coach Justin Hager said the challenging team could likely be either second seeded Casa Grande or the experienced returning champions and current third seed Kofa.
"Whoever we play we have to be ready to go," Hager said.
Hager said he is proud of what the team has done this year, but being the regular season region champions wasn't their goal. "We haven't reached our ultimate goal to go to the state tournament," Hager said. "This will be a great opportunity to do that. These kids haven't been there before, so that was our goal and we are focused on that."
