'Endurance': Combs basketball perseveres, triumphs over Tempe in MLK Dream Classic

When asked what his San Tan Valley Combs basketball team is showing him, coach Hosea Graham didn't hesitate with an answer:

"Endurance."

It's been a most extraordinary season for a team that lost its most popular player, Preston Lord, two days before the start of tryouts. The 16-year-old junior basketball player was viciously beaten at a Halloween party on Oct. 28, left on the street in a Queen Creek neighborhood, before dying from his injuries in a hospital two days later.

Monday's 60-53 victory over Tempe in the first game of the MLK Dream Classic at Tempe Corona del Sol was another step towards healing, as players continue grieving.

"They're giving me everything they've got," Graham said. "If they're in the game, I can help them manage it, They'll execute. They'll do what I ask them to do."

Timeline: Preston Lord investigation, 'Gilbert Goons' attacks stun Phoenix area

Last week, Combs (13-7) played only one game, an 85-67 loss to Mesa Eastmark. The Coyotes canceled their 4A Desert Sky Region games with American Leadership Gilbert North last week and on Jan. 25 due to "the highly sensitive nature of recent events, coupled with the heightened level of commentary and concern shared by community members," the Combs district said in a statement.

The Gilbert Mesquite game in December was canceled because of an inappropriate comment regarding Preston Lord made by a Mesquite JV player during the junior varsity game, the district said.

To make up for lost games, the Coyotes are playing five games this week, capped with a 5 p.m. game Saturday at Phoenix Mountain Pointe, where Graham's former assistant, Kaimarr Price, is the head coach.

Price said that game was added "in an effort to bring awareness to teen violence and show support for them during this tough time."

Graham said on Jan. 23, his team will play host to Eastmark on a night when the Coyotes will bring awareness to teen violence.

"It will be a big deal," Graham said.

Combs, which doesn't have a big man on the team, tries to win games with willpower, trying to be a step ahead of its opponents.

On Monday, it was senior guard Kamren Dubose stepping up big, knocking down tough shots that helped the Coyotes overcome a 16-8 deficit after the first five minutes against 7-13 Tempe. Tempe was led by Alejandro Irizarry-Navarro and Arthur Murphy, who each had 10 points.

'Gilbert Goons': Teen arrested in Mesa attack tied to 'Goons' beatings, Preston Lord murder inquiry

Dubose had 12 points in the final three quarters.

This was special on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Dubose said.

"Martin Luther King did a lot for the Black community," Dubose said. "To get out and play basketball and be with my guys and have fun, it means a lot."

Dubose had missed a couple of games because of an ankle injury, but he feels the team is coming along well, despite all that it has gone through. He got help Monday from Logan Tuckfield (12 points), Jae Lujan (13 points), Jaimin Amador (14 points) and Johnathan Byaus (nine points), who also played well on offense and defense and rebounding the basketball.

"I loved Preston," Dubose said. "I had a lot of respect for him. We're giving all we can for him."

Graham said everybody's spirits were lifted knowing they would get to play on MLK Day in the Dream Classic.

"We were so excited to be playing in this, and this is a good tune-up this week for us having five games," Graham said.

Graham said these awareness games help, but "we're just getting by."

"Every day is just different," he said. "This win really helps them a little bit with healing. Now they have something to enjoy.

"My boys are staying focused. They're not trying to retaliate. They stay calm. They understand, 'Be kind.' That's what's going to heal."

Scottsdale Saguaro won the second game of the MLK Dream Classic, beating Tempe Marcos de Niza 65-37, as sophomores Joe Miller and Justice Hinds combined for 27 points.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Combs basketball triumphs over Tempe in MLK Dream Classic