3A BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT

Round one of the 3A boys basketball state tournament began at the site of higher seed on Wednesday.

First round winners advance into the second round on Saturday. The top eight seeds all earned first round byes.

In 3A boys basketball state tournament scores Holbrook topped Show Low, 72-61; Blue Ridge edged Tuba City, 73-71; Pusch Ridge outlasted Kayenta Monument Valley, 59-48; Fountain Hills tripped Coronado, 56-41; San Tan Foothills stopped Tanque Verde, 62-42; and Chno Valley defeated Florence, 51-46.

NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN 53, WINDOW ROCK 49

The Northwest Christian Crusaders topped the Window Rock Scouts, 53-49, in first round action of the boys 3A state basketball tournament.

Northwest Christian, 20-8, advances into round two of the state tournament. The Crusaders travel to Winslow to face the Bulldogs on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Window Rock, 13-17, finishes its season.

Northwest Christian raced out to a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Window Rock outscored the Crusaders, 18-11, to take a 26-24 lead at halftime.

Window Rock and Northwest Christian both scored 14 points in the third quarter, as the Scouts held a 40-38 advantage. Northwest Christian outscored Window Rock 15-9, during the fourth period.

Senior Adrian Destea, playing his final game in a Window Rock uniform led the Scouts with 18 points, before fouling out.

Junior Cauy Silversmith tallied 15 points for Window Rock.

Window Rock Tom Bizardi said the Scouts played to the end.

"We executed offensively and defensively, and we established ourselves as a team," Bizardi said. "Unfortunately, we came out short. I am very proud of each individual on this team for their commitment to success."

CHINLE 82, RIVER VALLEY 54

Four Chinle players scored in double digits, as the Wildcats stormed to an 82-54 victory over River Valley in the first round of the 3A boys' state basketball tournament in the Wildcat Den in Chinle on Wednesday night.

Chinle senior sensation Cooper Burbank lead all scorers with 24 points. Colin Yazzie added 17 points, Kylen Yazzie and Curtis Begay both knocked down 14 points apiece.

Terrell Walker scored 18 points and Trevor Walker added 12 points for River Valley.

Chinle, 20-11, advances into round two of the state tournnament. The Wildcats entertain Gilbert Christian on Saturday in the Wildcat Den in Chinle at 7 p.m.

River Valley completes its season.

Chinle took a 17-16 lead when the first period expired. The Wildcats outscored River Valley, 19-12, for a 36-28 halftime lead.

The Wildcats tallied 15 points and River Valley canned 12 points in the third quarter. Chinle held a 51-40 lead. Chinle poured in 31 points and River Valley tallied 14 pointd in the fourth quarter.

Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza said, "A great team effort by the Wildcats. We started slow on defense. However, once focused on our defensive assignments, we were able to pull away."