GIRLS

GANADO 44, CHINLE 39

The Ganado - Chinle victory could have gone either way.

Playing on the road is always challenging for the visitor. Ganado overcame the odds, as the Lady Hornets took care of the ball, while Chinle committed costly mistakes.

Ganado was opportunistic as the Lady Hornets scored key points en route to a 44-39 win over the Lady Wildcats in a 3A North Region girl's basketball contest in the Wildcat Den in Chinle on Saturday.

Chinle head coach Fran McCurtain said it was a good paced game between the two teams.

"Ganado led the whole game," McCurtain said. "We went into our inside and did our best with our defense to slow down Ganado."

McCurtain said mental mistakes hurt Chinle's chances of winning the game.

"At the end, we had several opportunities to make it a closer game, but we submitted to turnovers once again," McCurtain said. Our girls did a great job overall. We just need to learn how to close our games with execution."

Ganado raced out to a seven-point lead, 13-6, at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Wildcats reversed the trend in the second period, canning eight points to Ganado's four points. Ganado continued its lead, 17-14, at halftime.

Ganado outscored Chinle, 17-14, for a 34-28 advantage as the third period expired. The Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Hornets, 11-10, during the fourth frame.

Senior guard Jayla McIntosh topped Ganado offensively, canning 14 points.

Sophomore Aisha Ashley tallied 16 points and senior Tea Murray added 14 points for Chinle.

Ganado improved its overall record to 17-1, more importantly the Lady Hornets are 2-0 in 3A North Region action. Ganado travels to Window Rock to face the Lady Scouts on Tuesday in the Events Center at 6 p.m. in Fort Defiance.

Chinle is 8-6 overall and 1-3 in 3A North Region play. Chinle entertains the Wingate, (New Mexico) Lady Bears on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in an interstate, freedom game in the Wildcat Den in Chinle.

BOYS

CHINLE 70, GANADO 45

Chinle outscored Ganado during the entire four quarters to post a 70-45 victory in the Wildcat Den in Chinle on Saturday.

Chinle improved its overall record to 14-7 and the Wildcats are 3-1 in 3A North Region action. Chinle hosts the Wingate (New Mexico) Bears in an interstate freedom contest at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Wildcat Den in Chinle.

Ganado dropped to 2-13 overall and 0-2 in 3A North Region play. Ganado will be on the road on Tuesday, facing the Window Rock Scouts in a 3A North Region contest in the Events Center in Fort Defiance in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

Chinle took a 13-12 lead at the end of the first period. The Wildcats extended its lead to 35-17 at halftime, after outscoring the Hornets, 22-15 in the second quarter.

Chinle turned in a solid performance in the third quarter, canning 19 points. The Hornets managed seven points. Chinle held a 54-34 lead. Chinle outscored Ganado, 16-11, during the fourth quarter.

Senior sensation Cooper Burbank poured in 22 points to pace Chinle. Colin Yazzie added 19 points for the Wildcats.

"Ganado outhustled us in the first quarter," Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza said. "We finally settled down midway through the second quarter with Colin Yazzie scoring 14 points."

Lane Uentillie tallied 13 points to pace Ganado. Wacey Benward added nine points and Luey Chee netted eight points the Hornets.