The San Carlos Braves won the fourth annual Copper Cities varsity basketball tournament, Dec. 22-23, with a 61-49 defeat of the Agua Fria (Avondale) Owls on Saturday night at the Miami Jr./Sr. High gym. The Braves went 4-1 in tournament games, earning the right to play the 5-0 Owls for the championship. On Friday, Dec. 22, San Carlos defeated Miami 52-42, Dishchii’bikoh (Cibecue) 51-38 and Superior 51-41; the Owls were victorious over Greyhills Academy (Tuba City) 76-17, San Manuel 60-8 and Globe 40-34. On Saturday the Braves opened with a 99-15 win over Greyhills Academy; the Superior Panthers then avenged their Friday loss by defeating San Carlos 78-25. Agua Fria continued unbeaten, registering wins over Dishchii’bikoh (75-42) and Miami (60-55). In Saturday night’s championship game the Braves took control early, building a 15-3 first-quarter lead in the eventual 61-49 win.

Before that finale, the Miami Vandals earned third place with a 73-39 victory over Superior. Both teams went 3-2 leading up to the third-place match.