Piñon Girls Win SENAI Roadrunner Title, Edge Hózhó 50-39

Piñon High secured the Roadrunner Bracket championship at the Striking Eagle Native American Invitational held at Miyamura High School on Jan. 2, defeating Hózhó Academy 50-39. The win moved Piñon to a 9-3 record on the season and highlighted contributors including Kylie Bia and several teammates who provided critical offense and defensive stops in the second half.

Coach Shane Begay has shaped the program around long-term development and community-supported tradition, and the SENAI title represents an early-season milestone for a team seeking stability and sustained success. Begay’s roster balance and a focus on fundamentals were evident as Piñon navigated a regional field of prep teams drawn to the Gallup-hosted tournament.

Game play reflected the physical, low-possession style that often determines close winter tournaments. Piñon managed to contain Hózhó Academy during key stretches and converted opportunities on the offensive end when possessions mattered most. Team depth and defensive focus limited Hózhó’s scoring runs and allowed Piñon to maintain a late-game edge en route to the 50-39 final.

The SENAI tournament, which gathers Native American and regional prep teams, provided a competitive platform for emerging programs to measure progress against neighboring schools. For Piñon, the Roadrunner title is more than a single trophy; it contributes to program momentum, helps establish measurable expectations for practice standards and in-game execution, and gives younger players exposure to higher-stakes competition.

Local implications extend beyond the scoreboard. A winning program can increase student-athlete engagement, boost attendance at home games, and enhance community support that is crucial for small schools. Success at a regional invitational also affects scheduling and competitive placement for the remainder of the season, as coaches and athletic directors take stock of which programs are advancing and which matchups will best prepare teams for postseason play.

Piñon now heads into the next block of its schedule with a 9-3 record and renewed focus on maintaining the culture Begay is building. The SENAI Roadrunner championship in Gallup is an early indicator that the program may be positioning itself as a consistent contender among regional prep teams this winter.