Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Window Rock girls, boys post freedom game victories over Many Farms

November 27, 2019 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


Window Rock  girls and boys teams both utilized a strong first quarter to post freedom game victories over Many Farms in basketball action on Tuesday night at Events Center in Fort Defiance.

Window Rock head coach Sharon Toadecheenie said she was satisfied with the Lady Scouts' 65-31 win over the Many Farms Lady Lobos.

"It was a good win tonight," Toadecheenie said. "I'm looking for improvement. I rotated the players so they can get a good feel of the competition. Yes, we need work on phases of our game. As we continue to practice and play, we will get better. The girls need to play. We made mistakes. In practice, we will work on correcting the mistakes."

First-year Window Rock boy's head coach Tom Bizardi, a long time head coach at Greyhills Academy and Tuba City High School, said he was pleased with the Scouts' effort.

Window Rock chalked up a 72-39 win over Many Farms. The victory was Bizardi's initial win as a Window Rock head coach.

"The guys did a good job in the first quarter," Bizardi said. "We have a lot to work on. The non-region games will help us get ready for the region games. The guys ran the offense well. We need to work on defense and closing out our games. We need to finish strong. It will take time for the guys to adapt. The guys are learning new system and new philosophy. The effort was good tonight."

GIRLS

WINDOW ROCK 65, MANY FARMS 31

Window Rock shot well in the first quarter. The Lady Scouts turned in a solid offense throughout the opening stanza. Window Rock pushed the ball up floor and shot well, taking an 18-8 first quarter advantage.

Rotating players in and out of the game was a key for Window Rock. The Lady Scouts had numerous offensive opportunities during the second quarter. Window Rock extended its lead to 19 points, 33-14, at the end of the first half.

Many Farms could not contain Window Rock's offense in the third quarter. On the flip side, the Lady Scouts' defense forced the Lady Lobos with turnovers. Window Rock extended its margin to 48-25, when the third period ended.

Window Rock outscored Many Farms, 17-6, in the fourth stanza for a 34 point victory.

"The girls did a good job with team work," Toadecheenie said. "The girls shared the ball. In the first half, te girls played well. In the second half, we missed too many shooting attempts. We missed 26 layups. We need to work on our layups. We need to get better on all phases of our game, on both ends of the floor. We won the game tonight. We have room for improvement."

Window Rock's Bayle Talkalai and Jana Solee shared top scoring honors with 11 points each. Robbie Talkalai added 10 points for the Lady Scouts.

Nicole Harvey paced Many Farms offensively with eight points. Elisha Grey and Audry James both tallied seven points apiece for the Lady Lobos.

Window Rock, 1-0, will be on the road at Miyamura to face the Lady Patriots this Saturday in Gallup.

BOYS

WINDOW ROCK 72, MANY FARMS 39

Paced by returning players, Cauy Silversmith. Adrian Destea and newcomer Trajon Bizardi, Window Rock raced to an impressive 28-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Silversmith and Destea were co-leading scorers for the game with 18 points apiece. Bizardi added 11 points for the contest.

The Scouts pushed the ball up and down the floor in the second quarter. Window Rock outscored Many Farms, 14-12, for a 42-21 halftime lead.

Bizardi subbed at will throughout the second half. The Scouts continued to shoot well. The Scouts outscored the Lobos, 20-13, in the third frame for a 62-34 advantage at the end of the third period.

Window Rock outscored Many Farms, 10-5, in the fourth quarter, during a running clock.

Bizardi said the Scouts have a lot to work on. He said non-region games will definitely help the Scouts when region begins in January.

"We need to contain our opponents defensively," Bizardi said. "We can't afford to allow our opponents to move the ball inside the paint and get easy shots. Tonight, we fairly contained Many Farms. Many Farms went inside the paint on us to get easy shots. We need to play strong defense."

Corbin Begay led Many Farms offensively, netting 18 points.

Window Rock, 1-0, visits Miyamura Patriots this Saturday in Gallup in a freedom game.