The Coronado Dons boys basketball team has had their fair share of wins and losses this season. They began the season on a three-game winning streak that included a nail-biter victory in which the Dons defeated the Vista Grande Spartans 48-47. 

On January 16 at Coronado, the JV Dons defeated the Tempe High Buffaloes to the tune of 64-54. Ten days later, both teams geared up for their rematch on January 26, this time at Tempe High. 

Student-athlete and Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Pat Shaw Jr. got the start and showed no fear, showcasing his stellar jump shot. Starting at guard, Shaw immediately nailed a 3-pointer, which gave the Dons the early lead. The battle went back and forth as both teams played hard and with tenacity. 

Right before halftime, technical fouls were issued to both teams due to excessive trash talking by the players on the court. The tension never spilled over, but both teams were relentless in not letting the other team gain the edge. Shaw played most of the game, taking only brief moments for rest. 

Tempe gained the lead 48-33 after halftime; unfortunately, Coronado would get within a few points of the Buffaloes but never got the lead back. The Buffaloes tightened up their defense, putting multiple defenders on Coronado’s shooters, including Shaw. When the clock hit zero at the end of the fourth quarter, it was the Tempe High Buffaloes who secured the victory over the Coronado Dons 59-51.

The Coronado JV men’s basketball team finished out the rest of their basketball season with two losses on January 29 and 31, against the Dysart Demons and the Cortez Colts. They were defeated 51-70 and 39-52, respectively. 

The JV Dons finished their 2024 campaign with a 4-5 win-loss record.