Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

3A North Region hoops: Chinle girls, boys are victorious over Tuba City

January 24, 2020 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


3A NORTH REGION HOOPS

GIRLS

CHINLE 46, TUBA CITY 36

Chinle utilized a strong performance from its inside game, as the Lady Wildcats posted a 46-36 win over the Tuba City Lady Warriors in a 3A North Region basketball game in the Wildcat Den in Chinle on Thursday night.

Sophomore Aisha Ashley netted 16 points and senior Tea Murray tallied 12 points to pace Chinle.

Chinle improved its overall record to 12-7. More importantly, the Lady Wildcats are 4-3 in 3A North Region. The Lady Wildcats won its fourth straight game, including three region contests in a row.

Chinle entertains the Kayenta Monument Valley Lady Mustangs, 5-11 overall, on January 28.

Chinle held a two-point lead, 9-7, at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Warriors, 12-7, in the second quarter, to take a 21-14 halftime advantage.

Chinle canned 12 points to Tuba City's eight points in the third quarter. The Lady Wildcats took a 33-22 lead when the third stanza expired. Tuba City tallied 14 points to Chinle's 13 points during the fourth quarter.

Jayda Chee lead Tuba City in scoring, knocking down 11 points.

Tuba City dropped to 13-6 overall and 3-2 in 3A North Region competition. The Lady Warriors will be on the road for its next game, taking on Hopi Lady Bruins on January 24. Tuba City continues 3A North Region play at Ganado on January 25.

Chinle head coach Fran McCurtain said she was impressed with the defense by both teams.

"Both sides played extremely quick defense," McCurtain said. "We held the lead the whole game."

McCurtain said ball handling and holding its own were the keys to the win.

"It was about taking care of the ball and keeping our composure," McCurtain said. "The girls committted to playing defense first."

McCurtain said the Lady Wildcats didn't shoot well.

"Our offense didn't click so well tonight, only because we missed way too many shots," McCurtain said. "But either way, we crashed the boards and had plenty of second opportunities. Tuba City did a great job too."

3A NORTH REGION HOOPS

BOYS

CHINLE 77, TUBA CITY 61

Chinle senior guard Cooper Burbank played a solid game, lighting up Tuba City Warriors for 34 points, as the Wildcats chalked up a 77-61 win in 3A North Region competition in the Wildcat Den in Chinle on Thursday night.

Chinle led, 22-15, at the end of the first quarter. The Wildcats outscored the Warriors, 23-18, to take a 45-33 lead at halftime.

The Wildcats outscored the Warriors, 19-12, for a 64-45 advantage when the third quarter expired. Tuba City canned 16 points and Chinle netted 13 points in the fourth stanza.

Colin Yazzie and Payton Wagner both tallied 11 points for Chinle.

Jeremiah Byjoe poured in 21 points and Deshawn Butler added 15 points for Tuba City.

"Defensively, we didn't play in the first half, but we picked it up defensively in the second half," said Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza.

Chinle, 17-8 overall, 5-2 region, host the Kayenta Monument Valley Mustangs on January 28.

Tubs City, 8-10 overall, will be at Hopi on January 24. The Warriors will continue on the road at Ganado on January 25.