Defense was the key for Ganado as the Lady Hornets dominated Window Rock enroute to a 50-35 victory over the Fighting Scouts in 3A North Region girl's basketball action before a sparse crowd in the Window Rock Events Center in Fort Defiance.

Ganado head coach Mike Bitsuie said he made adjustments from the first time the Lady Hornets played Window Rock.

"The first time we played Window Rock, we played zone defense against them," Bitsuie said. "Window Rock beat us with their three-point shooting and perimeter shooting. When we played zone defense against Window Rock the last time, they scored 71 points. Tonight (Tuesday), we played Window Rock man defense. We held Window Rock to 35 points. The girls played outstanding man defense. All the girls played outstanding."

With its win, Ganado, 17-9, is 4-3 in 3A North Region. Tuba City, 14-6, and Chinle, 13-6, are both 4-3 in region. Tuba City has the upper hand in the region. Tuba City is 2-1 in region head to head with Ganado and Chinle. Ganado is 1-1 in region head to head with Tuba City and Chinle. Chinle is 1-2 in region head to head with Ganado and Tuba City.

Window Rock,10-11, is 1-5 in region, while Kayenta Monument Valley, 8-14, is 1-6 in region.

Page, 16-4, remains undefeated in region play, with a 6-0 record.

Girls

Ganado 50, Window Rock 35

With its 50-35 victory, Ganado won its fourth game in a row. The Lady Hornets avenges its 71-60 loss to Window Rock it suffered earlier this season.

Window Rock loss its fifth straight game, dropping to fifth place in the region standings.

Ganado jumped out to a 7-4 lead as junior Jayla McIntosh scored five points, including a basket and a three-pointer.

A basket by senior Asia James gave Window Rock the lead, 8-7, before Ganado scored eight unanswered points for a 15-8 lead as the first quarter expired.

A basket by Abigail Benally and McIntosh lifted Ganado to a 20-14 lead with 3:30 remaining in the second quarter. James connected with one of two free throws with 41.9 seconds remaining to bring Window Rock within one point, 20-19. McIntosh canned the Lady Hornets final basket of the second period for a 22-19 halftime advantage.

Midway through the third quarter, Ganado's Jaedin James knocked down two straight three-pointers as the Lady Hornets extended its lead to 28-24. Window Rock battled back. Lady Scouts' James canned a trey to give Window Rock its first lead of the game, 29-28.

Ganado junior post Michelene Coleman scored four final points of the third period for a 34-31 Lady Hornet lead.

Ganado's aggressive defense stymied Window Rock in the fourth quarter. A pair of free throws from Jana Solee and a basket by Rachel Smiley were the only points the Lady Scouts could produce. Six points from Coleman, four points from McIntosh and James' third three-pointer of the game paced Ganado during the fourth quarter.

Bitsuie said team defense and productive shooting performance in the first and fourth quarters helped the Lady Hornets win the game. "Michelene (Coleman) and Jayla (McIntosh played an outstanding game," Bitsuie said. "Jaedin James scored three three-pointers, which were big for us. The win was a team effort. We got good play from our bench."

Jayla McIntosh led Ganado with 14 points. Michelene Coleman added 13 points and Jaedin James tallied nine points for the Lady Hornets.

Ganado hosts Tuba City this Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Hornet Pavilion at Burnside Junction.

Asia James netted 11 points, Jana Solee canned eight points and Bayle Talkalai added six points for Window Rock.

Window Rock travels to Page to face the Lady Sand Devils this Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Boys

Window Rock 68, Ganado 50

The Ganado - Window Rock began with a barrage of three-pointers in the first quarter.

Ganado knocked down four treys - Duante Morgan (1), Lane Uentillie (3) - and Window Rock's Trevor Herbert canned one three-pointer. Due to its four treys, Ganado raced out to a 12-3 lead after three minutes of action in the first quarter.

The Fighting Scouts battled back, cutting the Hornets' lead to three points, 15-12. Window Rock's Adrian Destea completed a three-point play, as the Fighting Scouts were down, 16-15, when the first quarter ended.

Window Rock went on an offensive tear to begin the second quarter. The Fighting Scouts outscored the Hornets, 13-2, to take a 28-18 lead with 3:47 remaining. Ganado cut the lead to three points, 28-25, when Uentillie knocked down a basket.

Window Rock's Herbert hit a pair of free throws, followed by a basket by Burk Williams to give the Fighting Scouts a 33-27 halftime lead.

The Fighting Scouts and Hornets exchanged baskets through the initial six minutes, before Window Rock went on a run. A basket by Cauy Silversmith gave Window Rock an 11-point lead, 48-37. When the third period ended, Window Rock held an eight point lead, 50-42.

The Fighting Scouts outscored the Hornets, 8-3, early in the fourth quarter for a 58-45 lead. Marian Ynzunza buries three consecutive baskets to lift the Fighting Scouts to a 66-50 lead. A basket by Burk Williams drove the final nail in the coffin for a victory.

Five players scored in double digits for Window Rock. Adrian Destea and Cauy Silversmith both tallied 13 points for the Fighting Scouts. Trevor Herbert and Marian Ynzunza each netted 12 points and Burk Williams chipped in with 10 points for Window Rock.

Lane Uentillie scorched the cords for 21 points and Daunte Morgan added 10 points for Ganado.

Ganado head coach Norman Hubbell said fatigue set in on the Hornets.

"We kept up with Window Rock for three quarters," Hubbell said. "The kids got tired and we couldn't keep up with Window Rock's uptempo game. Window Rock pushed the ball down the floor and shot well. The kids put in a good effort. We need to play four strong quarters."

Window Rock, 11-9 overall, 5-1 region, travel to Chinle to face region's top team Wildcats, 21-4 overall, 7-0 region, on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Ganado, 3-17 overall, 0-7 region, host Tuba City, 5-13 overall, 1-6 region, this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Hornet Pavilion at Burnside Junction.

Chinle leads the boy's 3A North Region standings at 7-0, followed in second place by Window Rock at 5-1. Page is 4-2 for third place in the region standings. Kayenta Monument Valley is 3-4 in the region. Tuba City is 1-6 in region and Ganado is 0-7 for sixth place in the region.