Katelynn Thun is a NAU School of Communication journalism student assigned to cover Northland Prep for AZPreps365.com.

The Northland Prep girls basketball team fell to 0-2 to begin the season after a 53–13 loss at home to defending 1A state champion Joseph City. 

The Spartans had difficulties scoring throughout the game, making just five field goals.

Joseph City jumped out to a 18-0 lead. NPA was able to get on the board in the final minute of the first quarter with back-to-back buckets from junior Reece Garcia and sophomore Abigail Zesiger. 

The Spartans made a concerted effort to defend without fouling, sending the Wildcats to the free-throw line just once. On the other side of the ball, NPA shot two for seven on free throws, with all seven attempts coming in the fourth quarter. 

“It’s getting the girls comfortable driving,” head coach Jayden Dvorak said on what the Spartans need to do to get to the free-throw line more. “It’s getting them to switch that mentally in a game, drive on somebody, take the opportunity, get into the paint, because you’re either going to get fouled or you’re going to get a basket.” 

After heading into the locker room down 30-7, the Spartans scoring slump would continue in the second half, going scoreless in the third quarter. 

NPA’s first points of the second half came from an and-one by freshman Anna Lipsey. 

Sophomore Ellysia Martinez led the Spartans in scoring both games this season. In their last game against Rancho Solano Prep, Martinez had 10 points off the bench. 

In their game against Joseph City, Martinez was inserted into the starting lineup. She had three points, coming from the Spartans’ only 3-point make of the season thus far. 

“I expect teams to look at her going forward,” Dvorak said. “She's going to draw attention defensively which opens up other players on our offense.”        

Dvorak hopes her change to the starting lineup will lead to more production from Martinez. 

With the win Joseph City improves to 3-0 on the season. Senior Amber Neill was the game’s leading scorer, outscoring NPA by herself with 15 points. 

The Spartans will head to Williams on Thursday to play in the Coach Edgar Brown Holiday Basketball Tournament. They will play Williams and Patagonia Union in back-to-back games. 

Dvorak’s goals for the Spartans’ first road games of the season are "handling pressure, better defense…and getting the offense moving.” 

“Getting them comfortable with their half-court sets… moving the ball into the paint,” Dvorak said on where her team needs to improve heading into the tournament. “That’s what we’re looking to do in Williams.”