Farmington Boys Prevail 65-36 Over Shiprock, Prepare for Rio Rancho

Farmington High used a locked-in second-half defense and steady offense to pull away from Shiprock, beating the Chieftains 65-36 Monday night at Scorpion Arena. The victory keeps Farmington’s season humming as the Class 5A-ranked Scorpions prepare to open district play against No. 2 Rio Rancho.

The game began slowly for Farmington, which shot 4-of-15 from the field in the opening quarter and trailed 11-10 after Shiprock junior Ashton Keith hit a late 3-pointer. Shiprock struggled early to generate looks, with the Chieftains going several minutes without a shot attempt until junior Joaquin Nez jump-started the offense with a three-point play. Keith finished as Shiprock’s leading scorer with 15 points.

Senior Sataurus Griego paced Farmington through the first half, scoring 12 points before intermission and finishing with a game-high 26. Coach Larry-Don Chitty credited Griego’s work inside and at the line. “[Griego] had 26 points and went 9-for-12 at the free-throw line and he was rebounding,” Chitty said. The teams went to halftime with Farmington ahead 29-27.

The contest turned in the third quarter as Farmington adjusted defensively, moving to a tight man-to-man and using a size advantage to take control. “We had a little bit of a size advantage, so we just kind of turned up the defense and went man-to-man to see what Shiprock would do, then our energy just turned way up,” Chitty said. The Scorpions held Shiprock to single-digit scoring in both the third and fourth quarters, outscoring the Chieftains 36-9 in the second half to seal the win. Sophomore Keondre Black added seven points in the final frame as Farmington closed the game strong.

Shiprock falls to 5-11 and will return home Wednesday to host Kirtland Central in its District 1-4A opener at 7 p.m. Farmington also begins district play Wednesday, hosting Rio Rancho at 7 p.m.

Beyond the box score, the game highlights the role high school athletics play across San Juan County in promoting physical activity, community connection, and youth development. Tight wins and tough losses affect not just standings but local morale and school identity in towns where Friday and Monday nights bring neighbors together. At the same time, competitive gaps remind coaches, parents, and school leaders to consider how resources, travel, and facilities shape opportunities for student-athletes across the region.

For Farmington, Monday’s result is a momentum-builder ahead of a marquee district test. For Shiprock, the season offers chances to regroup quickly at home and keep building experience for young players who will carry the program forward.