Window Rock turned in a strong first half and held off Tucson Catalina's second half comeback, as the Fighting Scouts edged the Trojans, 67-64, in first round action of the 3A boy's state basketball tournament at Window Rock High School Events Center in Fort Defiance, Arizona on Wednesday.

No. 14 Window Rock, 14-13, faces No. 3 Paradise Honors, 20-5, of Surprise, in the Sweet 16 this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Valley Vista High School in Surprise.

Catalina completed its season with a 16-12 record.

Utilizing its perimeter shooting, Window Rock led by 18 points twice, (44-26 and 46-28) in the third quarter.

Led by Philippe Kijana's shooting, Catalina battled back in the third quarter.

Philippe Kijana knocked down a pair of free throws and added a basket inside the paint. Zimri Clark canned a free throw, bringing the Trojans within 12 points, 48-36 with 1:43 remaining in the third period.

Derian Long hit a basket, giving the Fighting Scouts a 50-36 lead with 1:36 left. Catalina's David Kijana and Philippe Kijana canned back-to-back baskets, as the Trojans were within 10 points, 50-40. Adrian Destea knocked down a basket with eight seconds left. When the quarter ended, Window Rock held a 52-40 lead.

With 6:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, Marian Ynzunza scored on a short jumper, giving the Fighting Scouts a 59-45 lead.

Catalina rallied for an 11-0 run. The Trojans cut the Fighting Scouts' lead to three points, 59-56 with 3:33 remaining in the fourth stanza. After Window Rock's Adrian Destea scored, Catalina's Taylor Thompson scored. Philippe Kijana's connected on a pair of free throws, bringin the Trojans within one point, 61-60 with 2:12 left.

A basket by Phillip Perkins gave Window Rock a 63-60 lead with 1:59 remaining in the game. A basket by Jose Lugo brought Catalina within one point, 63-62. Destea's basket lifted the Fighting Scouts to a 65-62 lead with 58 seconds left.

Philippe Kijana nailed a basket as Catalina was within one point, 65-64. With 23 seconds remaining in the game, Destea nailed a bucket for a 67-64 lead.

As the clock was running down, Catalina shots misfired. Catalina got the ball back and the Trojans called timeout with 1.3 seconds.  Catalina threw the ball in and quickly called timeout as the clock remained at 1.3 seconds. When play resumed after the timeout, Catalina threw the ball in and failed to get off a shot when time expired.

Catalina raced out to a 5-1 lead early in the first quarter. Window Rock stormed back. Thanks to Trevor Herbert's five points, including a trey, the Fighting Scouts scored 10 unanswered points for an 11-7 lead as the first period ended.

The Fighting Scouts outscored the Trojans, 8-6, for a 19-13 lead with 5:03 left in the second quarter. A three point basket by Erik Valdez brought Catalina within three points, 19-16. During the last four minutes of the second quarter, Window Rock outscored Catalina, 14-3, for a 33-19 halftime lead.

Window Rock outscored Catalina, 9-5, for a 42-26 lead with 4:26 remaining in the third quarter, before the Trojans mounted its comeback.

Adrian Destea poured in 20 points and Trevor Herbert added 17 points for Window Rock.

Philippe Kijana tallied 36 points and Taylor Thompson pumped in 11 points for Catalina.