KXO Radio AM1230 and FM 107.5

Yuma, Arizona - Capping off the positive impacts of the first annual Cocopah Classic Basketball Tournament, the tribe created an annual scholarship program for local high school basketball players who plan to play for the AWC Mata­dors. This year’s $1,500 scholarship was funded with proceeds generated during the Cocopah basketball tournament that took place March 28-30 at Yuma High School.

 

Cibola graduate Zac Downing was chosen as this year’s male scholarship recipient by the AWC Matadors. Downing held a 4.1 GPA and was a 1st Team All-Region Gila Valley selection three years in a row and Player of the Year in Yuma County during his junior year.

 

“The tribe created this scholarship program to support both the local high school basketball players and the local AWC Matadors. The successes of the tribe’s first annual basketball tournament were also an opportunity to give back to the community and support the local basketball programs,” said Liz Pratt, Cocopah Communications Director.

 

Cocopah’s tournament attracted 15 teams in the Men’s Open and All-Indian divisions. Local teams and teams as far away as Phoenix, Camp Verde, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Imperial Valley competed for the two division $2,500-first-place prizes.

 

During the June Council meeting, both Downing and AWC men’s basketball coach Kelly Green expressed in person their appreciation for the scholarship and the tribe’s support.

“I thank you for all of the support you give us at AWC, and I wanted to tell you all how thankful I am; it helps tremen­dously with our scholarships,” said Coach Green