Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

3A boys, girls hoops: No. 1 Chinle 'Cats top MV Mustangs, 62-42

January 23, 2019 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


No. 1 Chinle Wildcats continue to roll in boy's 3A basketball.

The Wildcats are the top ranked team in the latest statewide power rankings.

Chinle topped No. 14 Kayenta Monument Valley Mustangs, 62-42, in 3A North Region action.

Chinle improved its region record to an undefeated 7-0 mark. The Wildcats are 21-4 overall.

Chinle held a four-point edge, 16-12, at the end of the first quarter. The Wildcats added 16 points in the second quarter, while Monument Valley netted eight points. Chinle took a 32-20 lead into the locker room for halftime.

Chinle and the Mustangs both tallied eight points in the third quarter. The Wildcats held a 41-29 lead at the end of the third quarter. Chinle had a hot hand during the fourth quarter, scorching the cords for 21 points. The Mustangs hit for 13 points during the final period.

Angelo Lewis pumped in a game high 20 points for Chinle. Cooper Burbank tallied 18 points and Curtis Begay added 10 points for Chinle.

Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza said he praises the Wildcats' defensive effort.

"We played with a lot of energy on the defensive side of the ball, starting in the second quarter, that helped us put away the game," Mendoza said. Individually, on the defensive side we had Jason John, Cooper Burbank, Angelo Lewis and Curtis Begay that stood out in the game."

Chinle entertains Window Rock Fighting Scouts, 5-1 region, 11-9 overall, this Friday at 7:30 p.m. in an important 3A North Region contest.

Monument Valley's Dahntay Dugi pumped in 13 points.

Monument Valley, 3-4 region, 13-8 overall, travels to Page, 4-2 region, 14-5 overall, today for a game at 7:30 p.m.

Girls

Chinle 51, Kayenta Monument Valley 45

Chinle chalked up an important 3A North Region girl's victory, posting a 51-45 win over Kayenta Monument Valley Lady Mustangs.

Chinle head coach Francine McCurtain said the coaching staff and players knew that Monument Valley had some big wins and the Lady Wildcats needed to stay focused and play their game.

"There was a great effort by both teams as it was a close game." McCurtain said. "We were able to pull away in the fourth quarter. We had to stay aggressive and keep our composure. On defense, we didn't make key stops, instead we traded shots and we need to get better at that."

McCurtain praised the play of senior post Stacey Begay.

"Stacey (Begay) really stepped up by communicating," McCurtain said. "Grayce (Claw) fed the ball and handled the ball with an upbeat tempo. It was an all around effort especially with Debaa (Nacona) stepping up on defense and offense. Great job to both teams."

Stacey Begay tallied 21 points to pace Chinle. Deebaa Nacona added 11 points for the Lady Wildcats.

Tayla Nez rattled the cages for 21 points for Monument Valley.

Chinle, 4-3 region, 13-6 overall, hosts Window Rock Lady Scouts, 1-5 region, 10-11 overall, this Friday at 6 p.m.

Monument Valley, 1-6 region, 8-14 overall, will be on the road at Page, 6-0 region, 16-4 overall, to face the Lady Sand Devils today at 6 p.m.

Boys

Page 69, Tuba City 38

Page's defensive effort was the key as the Sand Devils won over the Tuba City Warriors, 69-38 in 3A North Region play.

Page head coach Russ Skubal said the Sand Devils made key stops defensively, which helped post a victory.

"I think we did a very good job early of playing good defense and turning that defense into good transition baskets," Skubal said. "Then in the third quarter, we forgot to do that (play defense). We returned to it (play defense) in the fourth quarter and that resulted in the win."

Page took an 18-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Sand Devils outscored the Warriors, 17-16, for a 35-22 halftime lead.

The tempo of the game slowed down in the third quarter. Tuba City netted 11 points and Page tallied nine points. The Sand Devils held a 44-33 lead at the end of the third frame. Page had a hot hand in the fourth quarter, pouring in 25 points to Tuba City's five points.

Anu Sloan pumped in 19 points for Page. Justin Salabiye added 14 points and Jordan Varner netted 10 points for the Sand Devils.

"I am proud of how my guys played, how well they peaked, passed ahead, shared the basketball with each other," Skubal said.

Page, 4-2 region, 14-5 overall, hosts Monument Valley, 3-4 region, 13-8, today at 7:30 p.m.

Jeremiah Byjoe led Tuba City with 14 points.

Tuba City, 1-6 region, 5-13 overall, travel to meet Ganado, 0-7 region, 3-17 overall, this Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Girls

Page 57, Tuba City 34

Page came out with a hot hand in the first quarter, during its 57-34 win over the Tuba City Lady Warriors in 3A North Region action.

Page scorched the cords for 22 points, while Tuba City managed 13 points during the opening quarter. The Lady Sand Devils increased its lead to 38-13, after Tuba City failed to score in the second quarter.

The Lady Warriors battled back in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Sand Devils, 14-7. Page held a 45-27 lead. Page tallied 12 points to Tuba City's seven points during the fourth period.

Myka Taliman tallied 18 points, Camryn Nockideneh added 11 points and Miquedah Taliman and Mikala Benally both scored eight points apiece for Page.

Page, 6-0 region, 16-4 overall, entertains Monument Valley, 1-6 region, 8-14 overall, today at 6 p.m.

Tuba City, 4-3 region, 14-6 overall, will be at Ganado, 4-3 region, 17-9 overall, this Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Boys

Holbrook 53, Show Low 49

The Holbrook Roadrunners posted a 53-49 victory over the Show Low Cougars in 3A East Region contest.

Holbrook head coach Delmar Johnson said the Roadrunners played a very good team in Show Low. He said the Roadrunners pulled out a big win at Show Low.

"We played very good a very good first half offensively against Show Low's big front line," Johnson said. "Kobi Koerperich was big for us in the first half with some big 3's to keep us in the lead going into halftime. Show Low came out real aggressive in the second half with 16 points in the third quarter by crashing the boards and getting some easy put backs. We struggled in the third quarter with turnovers and we missed some wide open shots that normally fall for us, but I give Show Low credit by switching defenses and getting us out of rhythm offensively."

Johnson added, "We played with more energy in the fourth quarter by getting some steals and easy layups off of Show Low turnovers. We confused Show Low by switching to a defense that helped us get a big region game."

Holbrook held a 15-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. Show Low outscored Holbrook, 13-12. The Roadrunners took a 27-22 lead into the locker rooms for halftime.

The Cougars outscored the Roadrunners, 16-12, in the third quarter.Holbrook tallied 14 points to Show Low's 11 points in the fourth quarter.

Kobi Koerperich led Holbrook with 22 points. Josiah Freddie added eight points for the Roadrunners.

Colton McGinnis and Tylon Evan both scored 11 points for Show Low.

Girls

Holbrook 31, Show Low 27

In a low-scoring ball game, the Holbrook Lady Roadrunners posted a 31-27 win over the Show Low Lady Cougars in 3A Easr Region play.

Holbrook head coach Greg Perkins was unhappy with the Lady Roadrunners' performance.

"This was about as ugly of a win as possible," Perkins said. "Give credit to Show Low. They made us look bad for three of four quarters. We were fortunate to win."

Show Low led at the end of the first period, 10-9. Holbrook bounced back in the second quarter, outscoring Show Low, 9-4, for an 18-14 lead at halftime.

Holbrook canned 11 points in the third quarter. Show Low was scoreless in the third quarter. Holbrook took a 29-14 lead. Show Low outscored Holbrook, 13-2, in the final quarter.

Madison Chappell netted 17 points for Holbrook. Matehya Aberle added 11 points for Holbrook.

Boys

Winslow 75, Snowflake 60

Despite a 75-60 win over the Snowflake Lobos, Winslow head coach Scott Corum said the Bulldogs did not play well.

"We did not play well tonight (Tuesday), Corum said. "I give Snowflake a lot of credit. They came out and played hard, aggressive and fast. However, we were able to match their intensity late in the game and made some big buckets down the stretch."

Corum continued, "Dustin (Richard) and Zach (Wagner) did a nice job in the paint. Even though we didn't play well, it was a good team effort and we found a way to win. We had good balance scoring with four players with double figures."

Winslow took an eight point lead, 18-10, at the end of the first quarter. The tempo of the game changed. Snowflake outgunned Winslow, 20-19, in the second quarter. The Bulldogs had a 37-30 halftime lead.

The Bulldogs outscored the Lobos, 19-17, to take a 56-47 advantage. Again, Winslow scored 19 points in the fourth quarter. Snowflake netted 13 points in the final quarter.

Four Winslow players scored in double digitd. Dustin Richard canned 21 points, followed by Darius James with 19 points, Tyrell Young tallied 17 points and Zach Wagner netted 10 points.

Leading Snowflake were Trevor Willis with 16 points, Stuart West with 14 points and Jared Fusselman with nine points.

Girls

Winslow 49, Snowflake 32

The Winslow Lady Bulldogs played solid defense to post a 49-32 victory in 3A East Region action.

Winslow raced out to a 15-6 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Bulldogs held a 26-15 halftime lead, after outscoring the Lobos, 11-9.

Winslow's defense stymied Snowflake in the third quarter. The Lobos could muster two points, while the Lady Bulldogs scored 11 points. Winslow forged ahead to a 37-15 lead. Snowflake tallied 15 points to Winslow's 12 points during the fourth quarter.

Kylie Begay poured in 10 points for Winslow. Kristin Wagner and Justine Butterfield both scored nine points for the Lady Bulldogs.

"My entire team played solid defense against a very quick and athletic Snowflake team," said Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan.