Window Rock junior forward Marian Ynzunza scored the game-winning basket with 1.5 seconds remaining in the game to lift the Fighting Scouts to a thrilling 57-56 win over the Page Sand Devils in boy's 3A North Region action in the Window Rock Events Center in Fort Defiance.

Page sophomore Trent Holiday knocked down a basket to bring the Sand Devils within one point, 55-54. After Holiday canned the basket, Page called timeout with 11.6 seconds.

After the timeout, Window Rock bought the ball down the floor and committed a turnover. Page worked the ball around before Sand Devil Trent Holiday was fouled with 1.5 seconds left. Holiday sank two free throws, giving Page a 56-55 lead.

With 1.5 seconds remaining in the game, Window Rock junior Adrian Destea took the ball out and threw a long pass to Ynzunza, who was standing in the paint area under the Fighting Scouts basket on the opposite side of the floor. Ynzunza caught the pass, shot and missed. Ynzunza got his own rebound and shot and made the basket, as the horn blared out, ending the game. The referees signaled the basket good as the game ended and raced off the court.

Page head coach Russ Skubal did not dispute the call. He said the game was over.

Window Rock raced out to a 13-3 lead midway through the first quarter. The Sand Devils took advantage of Window Rock missed shot attempts. Page canned six free throws and were two points down, 13-11. The Fighting Scouts' Derian Long's buzzer beater basket gave Window Rock a 15-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Page's Gabe Gomez and Ben Alvarez combined for eight points, four points apiece, as the Sand Devils took a 19-15 lead during the opening two minutes of the second quarter. Page took a 25-22 lead before Window Rock's Burk Williams connected with two free throws, bringing the Fighting Scouts within one points, 25-24.

Holiday tallied four points and Alvarez added two points for a 31-24 Page lead as the second quarter ended.

With less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Page extended its lead to nine points, 42-33. Window Rock outscored Page, 6-2, cutting the Sand Devils' lead to five points, 44-39, when the third quarter ended.

The Fighting Scouts began the fourth quarter with a 9-0 run, taking a 48-44 lead. Justin Salabiye hit a pair of free throws, tying the game at 48-48 with 3:08 left in the fourth quarter.

Window Rock scored six unanswered points, taking a 54-48 lead with 1:06 remaining. Window Rock's Long hit one of two charity tosses. Page's Ben Alvarez countered with one free throw, cutting the Fighting Scouts' lead to three points, 55-52, with 40.6 seconds left.

This set up the dramatic finish. Window Rock's Burk Williams pumped in 23 points to lead all scorers. Derian Long added 10 points for Window Rock.

Ben Alvarez netted 15 points, Trent Holiday added 12 points and Justin Salabiye canned 11 points for Page.

Page head coach Russ Skubal said he praises his players for battling back to the end.

"With one minute remaining in the game, we were down by five points," Skubal said. "The kids came back. The kids battled. Trent Holiday hit clutch free throws. Fouls hurt both teams. We had two players foul out. Window Rock had three players foul out. The kids learned from this game. We have three big 3A North games this week."

No. 8 Page is 13-5 overall and 3-2 in 3A North Region. The Sand Devils travel to Tuba City to face the Warriors this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

No. 15 Window Rock is 10-9 overall and 4-1 in 3A North Region. The Fighting Scouts entertain the Ganado Hornets this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Girls

Page 64, Window Rock 37

Page played solid defense and the Lady Sand Devils scored at will nearly for the entire first quarter, enroute to a 64-37 victory over Window Rock Lady Scouts.

Page took a commanding 15-0 lead. Window Rock did not score until Jana Solee scored a basket with 40 seconds remaining. The Lady Sand Devils added six points, a trey from Miquedah Taliman and her older sister, Myka Taliman, for a 21-2 lead when the first period ended.

Six of Window Rock's points was a result of its free throws in the second quarter. The Lady Scouts could muster 10 points in the second stanza and the Lady Sand Devils tallied eight points. Page took a 29-12 lead into the locker room for halftime.

Page defense continued to contain Window Rock's offense. On the flip side, the Lady Sand Devils' offense continued to score. Page built its lead to 20 points, 36-16. During the final five minutes of the third quarter, Window Rock could muster six points. The Lady Sand Devils netted 10 points. When the third quarter expired, Page held a 46-22 lead.

Window Rock never threatened during the fourth quarter. Page kept its composure throughout the fourth stanza. The Lady Sand Devils outscored the Lady Scouts, 18-15, during the fatal fourth quarter.

Miquedah Taliman, Myka Taliman and Camryn Nockideneh all scored 15 points apiece to lead Page.

Asia James tallied 12 points for Window Rock.

Page head coach Ryan Whitehorse said the key to the important 3A North Region victory was defense.

"Playing defense is a Page tradition," Whitehorse said. "The girls played aggressive defense. The girls applied aggressive defense. Freshman Miquedah Taliman stepped up. She played a solid game. A strong first quarter on both ends of the court, set the tone for us."

No. 3 Page is 15-4 overall and 5-0 in 3A North Region. The Lady Sand Devils will be on the road at Tuba City this Tuesday at 6 p.m.

No. 9 Window Rock is 10-10 overall and 1-4 in 3A North Region. The Lady Scouts host the Ganado Lady Hornets this Tuesday at 6 p.m.