Globe Unified School District hosted the Copper Cities Basketball Tournament during the first two weekends of 2020. The Copper Cities Basketball Tournament has been a tradition in the Globe-Miami area for 39 years. Both the Globe Lady Tigers and the Miami Lady Vandals would compete in the 10-team tournament.

“Last year we lost to Douglas in the finals,” explained Head Coach of the Lady Tigers- Emily Belvado. “This year we hoped to meet them in the finals again. We wanted to win by beating Douglas.” Instead the Globe Tigers would fall in the semi-finals to Morenci. And Morenci would be the team to beat Douglas in the finals, for the upset victory. Coach Belvado was not shaken, “These tournaments help to prepare your team. You can get girls off the bench to get some valuable game experience. We have games against San Carlos and then Miami coming up, those are important games for our season.”

Globe fared a little better than Miami in this years Copper Cities Tournament. Miami’s only victory came at the expense of the Superior Panthers in the first game of the tournament. Miami was then awarded a forfeit victory when Douglas showed up late to their game. The Miami Vandals then lost their last game of the day, in devastating fashion, to Combs High School. Day two started out well for Miami as they received a third place seating, however, they would lose decisively to Morenci to be eliminated from the tournament. “I just wish we had one more game.” Stated McKenzie Anthony, Vandal Forward. “I know we did not play well, and it is hard to end it on a bad note.”

The 2019 Copper Cities Tournament would be won by the lady basketball team at Morenci High School. Morenci played disciplined defense and used jump shots from all over the court to score at every opportunity. Last years tournament winner, Douglas, would make it to the finals but fall to Morenci 58 to 59 in a single overtime game.