Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Winslow girls, boys hold off Tuba City for freedom game wins

December 13, 2018 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


Winslow girls and boys teams held off Tuba City in basketball games played in Don Petranovich Gymnasium in Winslow on Wednesday night.

In a nip-and-tuck ball game, Winslow posted a 47-35 win in the girl's contest.

Winslow blew a 13-point lead, due to turnovers, in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs prevailed with a two-point victory, 69-67, in the boy's game.

Girls

Winslow 47, Tuba City 35

Winslow girl's head coach Jerron Jordan said Tuba City gave the Lady Bulldogs fits throughout the game.

"We were fortunate to pull off a victory," Jordan said. "Tuba City is tough. They gave us all we could handle. Tuba City is well coached by Kimberly Williams. Tuba City was well prepared. It was a good win for us."

Winslow improved to 6-1 overall. Tuba City is 8-3 overall.

Winslow held a slim one-point lead, 10-9, at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Bulldogs extended its lead to five points, 20-15, after outscoring the Lady Warriors, 10-6, in the second quarter.

Tuba City battled back in the third quarter. The Lady Warriors knocked down 13 points, while the Lady Bulldogs netted 10 in the third period. Winslow held a two-point advantage, 30-28, leading into the fourth quarter.

Winslow pulled away in the fourth period. The Lady Bulldogs poured in 17 points, to the Lady Warriors' seven points during the final eight minutes of the game.

"The girls stepped up in the fourth quarter," Jordan said. "The girls attacked the basket and shot well. The girls took the ball inside and shot well. Our size hurt Tuba City. Tuba City has speed and they are quick. They pushed the ball down the floor."

Winslow travels to Chinle to face the Lady Wildcats on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Wildcat Den.

The game with Winslow should be exciting for Chinle head coach Francine McCurtain. McCurtain is a former three-time All-Stater and Arizona Player of the Year at Winslow High School, where she led the Lady Bulldogs to State Championships, under coaching legend Don Petranovich, who is now retired and enshrined in the National High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. McCurtain played her women's college basketball at Washington State University and Northern Arizona University.

The Lady Bulldogs return home on Saturday, hosting the Window Rock Lady Scouts at 1:30 p.m. with the varsity girl's contest.

Andrea Willeto tallied 16 points, Kristin Wagner added 11 points and Kylie Begay chipped in with nine points for Winslow.

Tuba City will play its third straight game this week today (Thursday), entertaining nearby Greyhills Academy Knights at 6 p.m.

Chenille Nodman poured in 12 points and Marissa Yazzie netted nine points for Tuba City.

Boys

Winslow 69, Tuba City 67

After playing three solid quarters, Winslow lost its composure in the fourth quarter to hold off Tuba City, 67-65, in a freedom game played in Don Petranovich Gymnasium in Winslow.

Winslow raced off to a 12-point lead, 26-14, at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs outscored the Warriors, 18-13, to take a 44-27 halftime advantage.

Winslow and Tuba City traded baskets throughout the third quarter. When the third period expired, the Warriors outscored the Bulldogs, 17-13, cutting into Winslpw's lead, 57-44, at the end of the third frame. Tuba City canned 23 points in the fourth quarter, to Winslow's 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Winslow head coach Scott Corum said the Bulldogs started off great during the first three quarters.

"The guys were able to maintain running its offense and defense the first three quarters," Corum said. "The guys lost their aggression in the fourth quarter. The guys let them dictate the intensity of the game. We lost our intensity in the fourth quarter. The guys were sloppy with the ball and the guys mase bad passes. The guys were able to hold on because the guys made their free throws down the stretch."

Winslow, 9-2 overall, will be on the road on Friday, taking on the Chinle Wildcats, 9-1 overall, in the Wildcat Den at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs host the Window Rock Fighting Scouts on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Zachary Wagner rattled the cages for 21 points, followed byu Tyrell Young with 16 points and Darius James poured in 14 points for Winslow.

Tuba City, 1-6 overall, entertain the Greyhills Academy Knights at 7:30 p.m. today (Thursday).

Jeremiah Byjoe netted 20 points and Demetrius Daw added 14 points for Tuba City.