Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

3A North Region hoops: Ganado Lady Hornets improve to 18-1

January 15, 2020 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


GIRLS

GANADO 59, WINDOW ROCK 51

The Ganado Lady Hornets played four solid quarters of basketball on both ends of the hardwood to post an important 59-51 victory over the Window Rock Lady Scouts in a Class 3A North Region contest in the Window Rock High School Events Center in Fort Defiance on Tuesday night.

Ganado improved to 18-1 overall. The Lady Hornets entertain the Page Lady Sand Devils this Saturday at 5 p.m. in the Hornet Pavilion at Burnside Junction in a 3A North Region game.

Ganado head coach Mike Bitsuie credits the Lady Hornets' defensive showing and offensive performance from the team's top scorers.

"We played good defense," Bitsuie said. "We made some good stops. It was a good team effort. I knew Window Rock would be challenging. We beat Window Rock earlier this year for the championship at Sedona."

Bitsuie said he good shooting production from Jayla McIntosh, Deana Curley and Jaedin James.

"Jayla and Deana both scored 17 points," Bitsuie said. "They shot well. Jaedin got open to shoot three's. Jaedin made four three-pointers for 12 points. They came within five points. The girls did an outstanding job keeping the lead."

Perimeter baskets from Shinezbi Teller, Rachael Smiley and Robbie Talkalai lifted Window Rock to a 6-3 lead early in the first quarter.

Ganado's three-point shooting brought the Lady Hornets back. James and McIntosh canned successive treys. Michelene Coleman scored a basket inside the paint, lifting Ganado to an 11-6 lead. McIntosh and James hit back-to-back three-pointers for a 14-6 Ganado lead.

Window Rock's Jana Solee knocked down a basket and added a pair of free throws. Alexis Tsosie-Hood canned a basket, bringing the Lady Scouts within three points, 14-11. McIntosh netted a pair of free throws, giving the Lady Hornets a 16-11 lead as the first period expired.

Ganado's James canned back-to-back three-pointers for a 27-15 lead with 3:11 remaining in the second quarter. Robbie Talkalai knocked down a three-pointer and sister Bayle Talkalai tallied a basket, as the Lady Scouts sliced the Lady Hornets' lead to seven points, 27-20 with 1:10 left.

With 45 seconds remaining, Ganado's McIntosh hit a pair of charity tosses for a 30-20 advantage. Window Rock's Keyana Goodman canned a three-pointer and Solee added a pair of free throws, as the first half ended, Ganado leading, 30-25.

A three-pointer by Curley and a three-point play by Coleman gave Ganado 36-25 lead to begin the third quarter. A basket by Bayle Talkalai with four minutes remaining brought Window Rock within five points, 36-31.

With 35 second left, Curley gave the Lady Hornets an 11 point lead, 45-34, with a basket from the perimeter. Smiley completed a three-point play, bringing Window Rock within eight points, 45-37, before Deandrea Hildreth knocked down a basket with two seconds left, for a 47-37 Ganado lead.

Window Rock outscored Ganado, 9-5, during the opening three minutes of the fourth quarter. Ganado regained it composure as McIntosh completed two free throws for a 54-46 Ganado lead.

Bayle Talkalai rattled the cages with a three-pointer, brining the Lady Scouts within five points, 54-49, with 58 seconds remaining in the game. Ganado sealed the victory with free throws. McIntosh hit three free throws and Curley tallied a pair of charity tosses. Smiley canned the Lady Scouts final basket of the game.

Solee scored 10 points to pace Window Rock. Window Rock dropped to 12-4.

"We came out in a slump tonight in the first quarter," said Window Rock head coach Sharon Toadecheenie. "We didn't play defense. From there were tried to play catch up. Our offense was slow tonight. Hopefully, next game we will come out ready to play."

BOYS

WINDOW ROCK 61, GANADO 32

Three Window Rock players scored in double figures as the Scouts chalked up a 61-32 win over the Ganado Hornets in 3A North Region boy's action in the Events Center on the campus of Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance on Tuesday night.

Window Rock raced out to an 8-2 lead, as Scouts' Marion Ynunza scored a basket with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Scouts' Adrian Destea canned a basket, before Quincy Smith knocked down his first basket as a Window Rock player with 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Smith hit another basket as the Scouts held a 16-8 lead when the first quarter expired.

Window Rock pulled away during the opening two minutes of the second quarter. The Scouts outscored the Hornets, 11-0 for a 27-8 lead.

The Hornets outscored the Scouts, 6-5, as the second quarter ended. Window Rock held a 32-14 halftime advantage.

With seven minutes remaining in the third quarter, Scouts' Adrian Destea's three-pointer gave Window Rock a 37-16 lead. Ganado's Lane Uentillie knocked down a basket, bringing the Hornets within, 37-18.

Window Rock went on an eight point run, for a 45-18 lead. The Scouts outscored, 5-4, during the remainder of the third quarter. Window Rock held a 50-22 lead. Window Rock canned 11 free throws during the fourth quarter. Ganado managed 10 points during the final stanza.

In his Window Rock debut, Smith tallied 13 points. Destea added 11 points and TrajonBizardi knocked down 10 points for the Scouts.

"We need some work on our shooting," said Window Rock head coach Tom Bizardi. "We need to work on mid-range and pull up shots, utilizing a soft touch. We need to hit high percentage shots inside the paint. Our bench did  good job tonight."

Luey Chee was the lone Ganado player scoring in double digits with 14 points.