Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

3A North boys, girls hoops: Chinle boys prevail, Lady Sand Devils win

January 15, 2019 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


No. 1 ranked Chinle Wildcats improved its region-leading record to an undefeated 6-0 mark and 20-4 overall slate, after outlasting the Page Sand Devils, 57-52, in overtime in Page in 3A North Region boy's basketball action in Page on Tuesday night.

The game was tied 44-44 at the end of regulation play. Chinle outscored Page, 13-8, in the overtime period.

Page dropped to 3-1 in region action and 13-4 overall.

Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza said the Wildcats started slow from the opening tipoff and stepped up in the fourth quarter on both ends of the floor.

"We started off slow on both ends of the court," Mendoza said. "In the fourth quarter, we held them to five points. The kids turned in a great effort in the fourth quarter to pull off a win."

In girl's action, Page held off Chinle, 42-38, in 32 minutes of play.

Boys

Chinle 57, Page 52 (overtime)

Page, shooting well, held a five-point advantage, 14-9, at the end of the first quarter. The Sand Devils and Wildcats both scored 13 points apiece in the second quarter. The Sand Devils took a five-point lead, 27-22, into the dressing room for halftime.

The Sand Devils and Wildcats played evenly on the offensive side of the third period. Page and Chinle both netted 12 points. Page continued its five-point lead, 39-34. Chinle stepped up in the fourth stanza, outscoring Page, 10-5, sending the game into overtime.

Page head coach Gary Skubal said the Sand Devils contained Chinle on offense, but could not buy a basket in the fourth pereiod.

"We played very well defensively," Skubal said. "W,e just could not make a basket in the fourth quarter," Skubal said.

Cooper Burbank rattled the cages for 18 points to pace Chinle. Wildcat teammate Angelo Lewis added 13 points and Curtis Begay tallied 11 points.

Chinle travel to Kayenta to face Monument Valley Mustangs on January 22 for its next game at 7:30 p.m.

Gabe Gomez canned 13 points for Page. Jordan Varner added seven points, followed by Justin Salabiye, Dillon Neztsosie and Trent Holiday with six points apiece.

Page will be on the road at Fort Defiance to take on the Window Rock Fighting Scouts, 8-9 overall and 2-1 region, this Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Girls

Page 42, Chinle 38

For three quarters, it was nip and tuck, before the Lady Sand Devils pulled off a four-points victory, 42-38.

Chinle led, 16-15, at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Wildcats and Lady Sand Devils both poured in nine points apiece in the second quarter. Chinle held a 25-24 halftime lead.

The game remained close in the third quarter. The Lady Sand Devils knocked down 11 points, while the Lady Wildcats canned nine points. Page held a 35-34 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Lady Sand Devils outscored the Lady Wildcats, 7-4, for a four point win.

Mikayla Benally and Torrance Begay both tallied nine points apiece to lead Page.

Chinle's Stacey Begay netted a game high 15 points.

Chinle, 12-6 overall and 3-3 region, will be in Kayenta to take on the Monument Valley Mustangs on January 22.

Page, 14-4 overall and 3-0 region, will play in Fort Defiance to face the Window Rock Lady Scouts, 10-9 overall and 1-1 region, this Saturday at 3 p.m.