Tonight (Tuesday) ended in a sad note for No. 1 ranked Chinle Wildcats.

Chinle was eliminated from the boy's 3A State Tournament. No. 8 Tucson Sabino upset Chinle in the Elite 8, 56-46, in a game played at Findlay Toyoto Center in Prescott, Arizona on Tuesday.

Chinle completed a great season, winning the 3A North Region regular season, capturing the 3A North Regional Tournament title, was ranked number one during the season.and was top ranked in the state tournament. The Wildcats finished the season with a 27-5 won-loss record, one of the best in school history.

Chinle veteran head coach Raul Mendoza, who completed his 40th year as coach, is well respected by his coaching peers.

During his illustrious coaching career, Mendoza has recorded 760 wins and 404 losses. Mendoza guided Holbrook Roadrunners to the 2011 State Championship. Mendoza has three state runners-ups on his resume, including two at Holbrook in 1989 and 1991, and one at Alchesay in 1998.

"We lost in the Elite 8, but we had a great season that we can build on and make another run next year," Mendoza said. "I am proud of our student-athletes in our program at Chinle High School for it to be possible. I believe we were fortunate to have them in our program."

Chinle had a slow start to begin the game. Sabino outscored the Wildcats, 19-10, in the first quarter. The Sabercats took a 29-19 lead at halftime, after outscoring the Wildcats, 10-9, in the second quarter.

The Sabercats built a 46-32 advantage when the third quarter expired. Sabino tallied 17 points to Chinle's 13 markers during the third stanza.

Chinle battled back in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats chalked up 14 points to the Sabercats' 10 points.

"We gave great effort, but we couldn't get it going on offense," Mendoza said. "We give the credit to Sabino. We can grow from this, both as athletes and young men. We had a great season. Now we have to go back to work to prepare for next year."

Chinle junior Cooper Burbank, one of the top players in the state, rattled the cages for 22 points. Wildcat freshman Kylen Yazzie tallied seven points and senior Angelo Lewis added six points.

Mendoza said the key to the Wildcats' success is discipline among the players in the entire boy's basketball program. He said the players work hard every day in practice and games. He said the players are accountable to their roles on the team and they sacrifice.

Topping Sabino offensively was Phoenix Kat with 16 points. Contributing to Sabino's scoring were Blake Rustand and Cesar Saenz with 10 points apiece.

The Final Four and State Championship games will be played at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The Final Four games will be played on Friday.

The boys Final Four pairings include No. 3 Paradis Honors facing No. 2 Valley Christian at 4:15 p.m. At 7:45 p.m., No. 8 Sabino taking on No. 5 Pusch Ridge Christian Academy at 7:45 p.m.

The survivors of the Final Four, meet for the boy's State Championship on Saturday at 3 p.m.