GIRLS

WINDOW ROCK 43, TUBA CITY 37

Window Rock chalked up an important 3A North Region victory as the Lady Scouts outlasted the Tuba City Lady Warriors, 43-37, in the Events Center on the campus of Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance on Saturday night.

Window Rock and Tuba City traded baskets during the first quarter. Shinezbi Teller canned back-to-back baskets, lifting Window Rock a 4-0 lead. Tuba City's Larissa Yazzie and Rainbow Willie each knocked down a three-pointer. A try by Alexis Tsosie-Hood gave the Lady Scouts a 10-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The teams traded baskets before Tuba City's Shiala Dugi completed a three-point play for an 18-16 lead. With 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Yazzie scored a basket, giving the Lady Warriors a 20-18 lead at halftime.

"We played with less intensity in the first half," said Window Rock head coach Sharon Toadecheenie.

With less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Window Rock's Rachael Smiley hit a pair of baskets for a 29-27 lead.

Dugi connected with a pair of free throws with 1:47 remaining, tying the game at 29-29. Teller knocked down a basket, lifting Window Rock to a 31-29 lead when the third quarter expired.

The Lady Warriors' Willie completed a three-point play, giving Tuba City a 32-31 advantage. Window Rock's Jana Solee, Tsosie-Hood and Keyana Goodman each scored a basket, as Window Rock took a 37-32 lead midway through the fourth period.

Yazzie's basket brought Tuba City within three points, 37-34, before Window Rock's Smiley knocked down a basket on a short jumper and netted a pair of free throws for a 41-34 Window Rock lead. Thalia Susanystame canned a trey, brought Tuba City winin four points, 41-37. Teller's two free throws sealed the win for Window Rock.

"In the second half, we came with more intensity and ball movement," said Toadecheenie. "The rotation from the bench really stepped up tonight. We penetrated into the paint to give us open short jumps anfd layups."

Teller and Smiley each scored 10 points for Window Rock.

Window Rock, 12-3 overall and 1-0 in 3A North Region, entertain the Ganado Lady Hornets, 17-1 overall and 2-0 in 3A North Region, on Tuesday in the Events Center in Fort Defiance at 6 p.m.

Tuba City head coach Kimberly Williams said the more aggressive team won.

"It showed by free throws and points in the paint," Williams said. "They had more."

Williams said the Lady Warriors pulled the ball out to set insteafd of taking the ball to the basket to create.

"We didn't pressure the ball enough at times," Williams said. "We allowed them to go to the basket. We settled for outside shots, but if we made just more jumpers or two threes, we would have won. We out rebounded and had more steals."

Williams added, "We win and lose as a team. We will regroup. We play them one more time at home. We have eight more league games left. All teams are tough to beat on their home court. Window Rock was the aggressor tonight."

Yazzie tallied 15 points to lead Tuba City.

Tuba City, 11-5 overall and 1-1 in 3A North Region, host the Kayents Monument Valley Lady Mustangs on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

BOYS

TUBA CITY 54, WINDOW ROCK 49

Tuba City's Jeremiah Byjoe completed a three-point play and knocked down a three-point play to giv the Warriors a 6-2 lead in the opening stanza.

With over two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Tuba City's Britton Hardy tallied a pair of baskets for a 12-6 lead. Justin Begay and Deshawn Butler knocked down baskets prior to the end of the firsrt quarter for a 16-8 Tuba City lead.

Tyler Williams canned a trey and added a basket from the perimeter for a 29-12 lead in the second quarter. With 10 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Tuba City's Tayden Arizona netted a three-pointer, giving the Warriors a 34-16 halftime lead.

The two teams traded baskets for majority of the third quarter. Butler connected with a free throw for a 44-29 led for Tuba City. Cauy Silversmith hit one charity shot, bringing the Scouts within 14 points, 44-30, as the third quarter ended.

Window Rock made a run at Tuba City to begin the fourth quarter. The Scouts rallied, outscoring the Warriors, 10-0, thanks to Silversmith's six points, including a trey, and Marion Ynunza's four points. Tuba City led 44-40 with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Window Rock battled back, as Silversmith connected with a basket with 3:16 left in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 46-46. Tuba City's Byjoe canned with a pair of three-pointers for a 52-49 lead with 1:13 remaining.

Window Rock could not muster any points. Tuba City's Williams scored the Warriors final basket of the game.

Byjoe led Tuba City with 15 points, while Williams tallied 14 points and Butler scored 11 points.

Window Rock's Silversmith led all scorers with 21 points. Adrian Destea and Ynunza bot tallied 10 points.

"It was a tough loss," said Window Rock head coach Tom Bizardi. "We didn't shoot well from the three point arc in the first half. We were zero for 12. The guys battled back to tie the game in the fourth quarter. They guys scored key baskets with high percentage shots"

Earlier this season, Tuba City defeated Window Rock in double overtime at the Sedona Tournament.

"Tonight was a good win," said Tuba City head coch Roger Tsingine. "The guys worked hard and played together as a team. When Window Rock came back to tie the game, the guys kept their composure."

Window Rock entertains the Ganado Hornets on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Tuba City hosts the Kayenta Monument Valley Mustangs on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.