Page guard Ashlyn Adkai scores in transition in 2nd quarter vs. Safford on Monday. (AzPreps365 photo)

Lakeshia Begay sank two free throws with 8.9 seconds left to give #12 Monument Valley a 46-45 victory over defending 3A champ Valley Christian ion Monday afternoon in the first of four 3A girls hoops state tournament games at Prescott Valley Event Center.

Begay, a senior forward, as big reason for Monument Valley's comeback from a 29-20 halftime deficit. Begay finished with 14 points -- 10 in the second half. Her soft touch in the paint and swishing of clutch free throws stood out.  Valley Christian had one final chance to win the game but a desperation 3 fell short and no putbacks were available as time expired.

Monument Valley (14-16) moves on to Friday's semifinals at Gila River Arena to face Ganado on Friday at 6 p.m. at Gila River Arena. Junior guard Tayla Nez led Monument Valley with 16 points, including four 3s.

Valley Christian's Jada Pourier led all scorers with 17 points. Senior standout Anna Gorman, plagued by foul trouble finished with  just five points and fouled out with 5:47 to play. Chloe Fraley added nine points for VC.

Valley Christian (24-5) battld back from a disastrous third quarter that saw Monument Valley outscore the Trojans, 13-1, to move in front by one heading to the final quarter. Valley Christian trailed by as many as six in the final period, but battled back  to lead 45-42 with 148 to play.

With Monument Valley, Page, Window Rock and Ganado all winning quarterfinal games on Monday, the semis will be an all-Northern Arizona affair for the first time since the 2012-2013 season.

PAGE 57, SAFFORD 47: The third-seeded Sand Devils outscored the Bulldogs 21-8 in the third quarter and went on to eliminate the sixth-seed at PVEC.

Junior guard Mikayla Benally scored 20 points to lead Page (20-9) with her sneaky defense and sweeping left-handed layups. Senior Lelisa Watson added 13 points as the Sand Devils advance to Friday's semifinals at Gila River Arena at 2:30 p.m. against the Window Rock.

Safford (21-6), hampered by 26 turnovers, was led by junior point guard Deion Abalos with 17 points and freshman guard Mia Carter with 11 points.

WINDOW ROCK 54, SABINO 52: Jana Solee's three-point play with 25 seconds left put the Scouts ahead to stay in a see-saw fourth quarter in outlasting the Sabercats at PVEC.

Kamryn Doty, who scored 19 points to lead Sabino and 15 of those in the second half, helped her team erase a halftime deficit and build a 39-33 lead heading to the final quarter. Solee and Venessa James spurred Window Rock's fourth-quarter rally scoring16 of the Scouts 21 points. James finished with a gamep-high 22 points and Solee had 11. Haley Talkaiai also hit double figures for Window Rock (21-6) with12 points. Iliana Armijo scored 11 points off the bench for Sabino (21-9).

GANADO 51, CHINLE 36:  Amber James scored 14 points as the to-seeded Hornets led from start to finish in eliminating the eight-seeded Wildcats at PVEC.

Ganado (25-4) had plenty of scoring balance behind James from Jayla McIntosh, Janaya McIntosh, Michelene Benally and Abigail Benally. Ganado led 18-8 after the first quarter, maintained that margin through halftime and improved it to 12 heading to the final period. It was the fourth time the teams played this season and Ganado won them all.

Chinle (16-14) was led by Stacey Begay and Grayce Claw with nine points apiece.