AZ Courtside: Marcos de Niza Basketball Up Next-Insider with starter, JD Richard

Reporter: Rei Tedoco

TEMPE, Ariz.- It's hoops season in Arizona, and Marcos de Niza Padres returned consistently with a win over the Glendale Cardinals, 73-to-46, on Monday, December 16th.

Marcos de Niza holds a 9-and-2 record after their game against Glendale. Being in the 4A Desert Sky conference, the Padres want to solidify their on-court strength to prepare for post-season opportunities. On December 12, the Padres suffered a loss to Cortez High School 57-to-56 which helped motivate and turn the team around for a home game before winter break.

RECAPPING THE GAME: With 23 points in the first quarter, the Padres had 8 points from James Steward and a three-pointer from JD Richard that helped get them started. Heading into the second quarter, the Padres only advanced 13 more points with stellar plays by freshman, Jayden "Dice " McGee and Steward. By halftime, the Padres were up winning 36-to-26. Heading into the third quarter, two threes by McGee and additional points by Steward and Richard helped the Padres gain 21 more points. Into the fourth, the Padres were up 57-to-31 and decimated Glendale leaving the score 73-to-46.

"It's just Padres scrap, we gotta want it. We just scrap. Get back on defense, get a bucket then get back on defense, " Richard said.

James Steward dunking at Marcos de Niza High School

Freshman, Jayden "Dice" McGee on his passing rotation

The key players for the game were Steward, McGee, and Richard to outshine the Glendale Cardinals. With eyes already on Steward and McGee, Richard helped show his potential on the home court and helping his team.

JD Richard up next for Arizona 4A Desert Sky Region

To run the stats for the Padres (source: MaxPreps), senior, Steward holds leaderboard positions in rebounds per game, blocks per game, and points per game. In his senior season, Steward has collected 237 points and looking to beat his record from last year. For freshman, McGee, his career-best games were against Glendale and La Joya Community High School. Senior, Richard, has a field-goal percentage of 43% and 110 points since his start at Marcos.

In the Padres most recent game versus Glendale, Steward, Richard, and McGee had a combined 45 points in the game. The Padres will be back on the court for a tournament on December 27 and look to keep their winning record.

"We're going to play offs. The expectation is to keep the hustle and keep working as a team. And do what we gotta do to make it to state," Richard said.

JD RICHARD: 11 points, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assists

Statistics Source: https://www.maxpreps.com/az/tempe/marcos-de-niza-padres/basketball/schedule/