Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Girls basketball: Chinle, Ganado claim tournament titles; Winslow, WR finish second

December 15, 2019 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


The Chinle Lady Wildcats and the Ganado Lady Hornets both took tournament titles.

Chinle captured the Choice Wireless Classic girl's championship, while Ganado garnered the Sedona Red Rock girl's basketball tournament this past Saurday.

GIRLS

CHOICE WIRELESS CLASSIC

En route to the earning the tournament title, Chinle completed the three-day tournament with a 4-1 won-loss record.

During the first two days of competition, Chinle chalked up a pair of wins, against no defeats. The Lady Wildcats advanced to the third round.

ROCK POINT 43, CHINLE 31

Rock Point took advantage of Chinle's two missing senior starters on Saturday morning, to post a 43-31 victory over the Lady Wildcats.

Chinle head coach Francine McCurtain said her senior starters, Tea Murray and Brandii Clah, were unavailab;le to play, due to ACT testing.

McCurtain said players she had available for the game were young and inexperienced.

"The girls tried their best," McCurtain said. "We committed too many turnovers and our shot selection wasn't good."

McCurtain said Rock Point pushed the ball up the floor, playing uptempo in the fourth quarter, en route to to a victory.

"The loss put us in the loser's bracket," McCurtain said. Chinle faced Florence for the second time in the tournament. Chinle defeated Florence, 48-39, during the first round of the tournament.

CHINLE 51, FLORENCE 24

With testing done and over with, all players rejoined the team on Sarurday afternoon.

Chine chalked up an impressive 51-24 victory over Florence.

The Lady Wildcats took a 12-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. Chinle held a 22-13 halftime advantage,

The Lady Wildcats extended its lead to 35-18 at the end of the third period. Chinle outscored Florence, 16-6, in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Aisha Ashley poured in a game high 12 points to lead Chinle.

"We made sure we took the commanding lead to get back into the championship," McCurtain said. "All the girls played in this game and did great."

CHAMPIONSHIP

CHINLE 55, ROCK POINT 46

With the win over Florence, the Lady Wildcats advanced into the championship game.

Chinle and Rock Point met for the second time in the tournanemt. Chinle pulled off nine point win, 55-46, over Rock Point for the tournament championship.

Chinle took a 15-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Cougars, 12-11, for a 27-21 halftime lead.

The Lady Wildcats held a 40-35 lead at the end of the third quarter. Chinle outscored Rock Point, 15-11, during the fourth quarter.

Aisha Ashley poured in 18 points to lead Chinle. Tiera John netted 11 points, followed closely by Rylisha Begay and Arianna Begay with 10 points apiece for Rock Point.

"It was a great game, where the girls were all on the same page," said McCurtain. "We still made some errors and mistakes, but the girls' effort really brought through those mishaps and kept the game under control. Our focus was to take care of the ball and get the ball to our inside girls. They did a wonderful job on defense and learn plenty from the tournament."

SEDONA RED ROCK TOURNAMENT

CHAMPIONSHIP

GANADO 37, WINDOW ROCK 32

The Ganado Lady Hornets battled back from a five point deficit, 30-25, to chalk up a 37-32 victory over the Window Rock Lady Scouts for the Sedona Red Rock Tournament championship.

Window Rock raced out to an 11-4 first quarter lead. The Lady Scouts continued to lead at halftime, 18-10, as the Lady Scouts outscored the Lady Hornets, 7-6, in the second quarter.

Ganado stormed back in the third quarter, tallying 16 points to Window Rock's 12 points. The Lady Hornets canned 11 points, while Window Rock could muster two points in the fourth quarter.

Abigail Benally was Ganado's top scorer with 10 points. Jayla McIntosh followed with nine points for the Lady Hornets.

Jana Solee led Window Rock with 10 points. Bayle Talkalai added eight points for the Lady Scouts.

"We beat ourselves the last three minutes of the game with turnovers," said Window Rock head coach Sharon Toadecheenie. "Ir was a great, high intensity game. We're looking forward to great improvement."

SEMIFINALS

WINDOW ROCK 46, VALLEY CHRISTIAN 35

Window Rock knocked off Valley Christian Trojans, 46-35, in a tournament semifinal game.

The Lady Scouts held a 14-3 first quarter lead. The Lady Scouts extended its lead to 27-14 at the end of the first half.

Valley Christian outscored Window Rock, 11-8, in the third quarter, slicing the Lady Scouts' lead to 35-25. Window Rock netted 11 points and Valley Christian canned 10 poits during the fourth quarter.

Jana Solo knocked down 14 points and Shinezbi Teller added 13 points for Window Rock.

"We played with intensity on both ends of the floor," Toadecheenie said. "The girls executed well with movement."

Senior Jada Pourier tallied 18 points for Valley Christian.

NACKARD HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

WINSLOW 44, TUBA CITY 43

The Winslow Lady Bulldogs edged the Tuba City Lady Warriors, 44-43, during the Nackard Holiday Tournament at Flagstaff High School.

Winslow held a 15-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady Warriors, 9-8, for a 24-22 halftime lead.

Winslow tallied 11 points to Tuba City's 10 points, for a 35-32 advantage at the end of the third quarter. The Lady Warriors outpointed the Lady Bulldogs, 11-9, during the fourth frame.

Larissa Yazzie scored 16 points to pace Tuba City.

Kristin Wagner nailed 10 points for Winslow.

"This was a great defensive game, played by both teams," said Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan.

NACKARD HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT

CHAMPIONSHIP

FLAGSTAFF 52, WINSLOW 45

The Flagstaff Lady Eagles posted a 52-45 victory over the Winslow Lady Bulldogs, 52-45, to win the Nackard Holiday Tournament championship at Flagstaff High School.

Flagstaff took a 13-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Eagles extended its lead to 31-17 at halftime, after outpointing the Lady Bulldogs, 18-7.

Winslow battled back in the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Eagles, 15-9, cutting Flagstaff's lead to eight points, 40-32, at the end of the third period. Flagstaff netted 13 points and Winslow tallied 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Gracelyn Nez led Flagstaff with 16 points, followed by Miya Verse with 14 points and Emma Doskicz with 13 points.

Kylie Begay tallied 13 points and Andrea Willeto added 12 points for Winslow.

"My team played very hard and battled back from being down early," Jordan said. "I am proud of their effort and how hard they played. Congratlutions to Flagstaff head Tyrone Johnson and the Flagstaff Lady Eagles on the Nackard Tournament Championship.