3A NORTH REGION HOOPS

BOYS

WINDOW ROCK 42, CHINLE 40

Window Rock junior guard Cauy Silversmith knocked down a pair of free throws with 7.7 seconds to help the Scouts secure a 42-40 victory over the Chinle Wildcats in a boy's 3A North Region basketball game before a large crowd in the Window Rock Events Center in Fort Defiance on Friday night.

Chinle sophomore guard Kylen Yazzie fouled Silversmith. Silversmith promptly connected with two charity tosses.

Window Rock held a 42-40 lead, when the Wildcats pushed the ball down the floor for a final shot. Chinle senior guard Cooper Burbank attempted a shot to tie the game. Burbank's shot misfired as the horn sounded to end the contest.

The game was nip-and-tuck throughout the entire contest.

When the third quarter expired, Chinle lead, 32-30. Wildcats' Kylen Yazzie canned a basket and senior power forward tallied one of two free throws for a 35-30 lead with 6:58 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Silversmith knocked down a three-pointer and added a basket from the perimeter, tying the game at 35-35 with 5:40 remaining. Chinle's Kylen Yazzie scored a basket and Wildcat senior guard Curtis Begay stole the ball and scored on a driving layup for a 39-36 advantage with 2:03 left.

Window Rock senior forward Marion Ynunza knocked down both ends of a bonus free throw, bringing the Scouts within one point, 39-38 with 1:49 remaining.

With 9.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Chinle's Kylen Yazzie netted one of two free throws, tying the game at 40-40. On the next possession, Silversmith was fouled with 7.7 seconds. Silversmith canned a pair of free throws, lifting the Scouts to a 42-40 lead. Chinle's Burbank attempted a layup and missed as the horn sounded to end the game.

Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza said both teams turned in a great effort.

"We failed to execute on the offensive end by missing too many layups and missing free throws throughout the game that affected the outcome of the game," Mendoza said.

Cooper Burbank tallied 12 points for Chinle.

A basket by Darren Woody gave Chinle a 5-3 advantage with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter. Window Rock rallied as Derian Long scored a three-pointer and added a basket from the perimeter. Ynunza canned a pair of baskets from the perimeter for a 12-5 lead with 2:42 remaining.

Chinle were within one point, 12-11, when Woody hit a bucket and Burbank and Payton Wagner both knocked down a pair of free throws.

The tempo of the game slowed down to begin the second quarter. With 2:17 left, Scouts' Ynunza scored inside the pait, tying the contest 16-16. Chinle's Burbank canned back-to-back baskets, as the Wildcats held a 22-19 lead. Silversmith knocked down a buzzer-beater three-pointer as first half ended, 22-22.

Chinle began the third quarter on a 5-2 run, for a 27-24 lead. With 1:54 remaining, Silversmith's trey gave the Scouts a 30-29 lead. Wagner and Woody combined for three points for a 32-30 Chinle lead when the third period ended.

Window Rock head coach Tom Bizardi said the Scouts played with confidence.

"The guys hit key free throws," Bizardi said. "The guys played time management. The guys played good defense. Our defense contained Chinle with 40 points. Adrian (Destea) played strong defense. Adrian moved fast with his feet. without fouling and playing with discipline."

Topping Window Rock was Cauy Silversmith with 15 points.

3A NORTH REGION HOOPS

GIRLS

WINDOW ROCK 46, CHINLE 36

The Window Rock Lady Scouts outlasted the Chinle Lady Wildcats, 46-36, in a 3A North Region matchup before a large crowd in the Events Center in Fort Defiance on Friday night.

A basket by Jana Solee lifted Window Rock a 5-4 lead with 5:20 remaining in the first quarter. Lady Scouts' Bayle Talkalai canned a basket for a 9-6 advantage. Window Rock took a 10-9 lead as the first period expired.

Window Rock extended its lead to 13-9 on a three-pointer by Shinezbi Teller to begin the second quarter. Chinle went on a 6-0 run, tying the game at 15-15. The Lady Scouts took a 17-15 advantage at the end of the first half.

At 5:16 in the third quarter, the game was tied 19-19 on a basket by Aisha Ashley. The Lady Scouts rallied on a 10-2 run, for a 31-23. Chinle's Ashley hit two free thorws and Ashlyn Lynch added one charity toss, bringing the Lady Wildcats within five points, 31-26, at the end of the third period.

Window Rock's Alexis Tsosie-Hood knocked down three free throws, giving the Lady Scouts a 38-32 lead with 4:46 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Lady Scouts extended its lead to 43-34 on a basket by Robbie Talkalai. Window Rock outscored Chinle, 6-2, during the final 1:15 in the game.

"We executed the last four minutes of the game," said Window Rock head coach Sharon Toadecheenie. "We made clutch free throws, when we needed to. The girls played aggressive on the post up players well."

Jana Solee netted 13 points for Window Rock.

Chinle head coach Fran McCurtain said the Lady Wildcats had a bad shooting night altogether.

"Window Rock did a great job on defense and we really couldn't get things going," McCurtain said. "We were 8-for-22 from the free throw line, which really played into our confidence. We did our best to keep together, but in the end, we got outplayed by Window Rock. Next time we have to be better."

Aisha Ashley scored 11 points to pace Chinle.