PAGE — Despite outscoring rival Show Low 30-25 in the second half, Page’s struggles in the first half offensively came back to bite them in a 52-46 loss in the Antelope Canyon Holiday Classic championship game Saturday afternoon.

The defending 3A state champion Sand Devils (5-1, 0-0 3A North) had won five straight to start the season, including a 57-35 win at Show Low to open the season in November.

The Cougars (3-3, 0-0 3A East) jumped out to a 27-16 first-half lead and Page was unable to overcome the deficit.

BOYS 3A HOOPS

CHINLE 45, ALCHESAY 43

CHINLE — Alchesay’s Adrian Dosela scored 17 points on 6 of 13 shooting from the field, including three 3-pointers, but it wasn’t enough in an early-season 45-43 loss to Chinle on Saturday night.

Alchesay (3-1, 0-0 3A East) led 20-16 at halftime, but surrendered a 17-10 third-quarter run to the Wildcats (3-2, 0-0 3A North) and never recovered.

Chinle, which made the 3A state playoffs as a No. 8 seed only to lose in the second round, aims to keep things rolling Tuesday, Dec. 10, as they host Holbrook at 7:30 p.m.

BOYS 4A HOOPS

DEER VALLEY 64, PRESCOTT 45

GLENDALE — After having their way with St. Mary’s in a season-opening 68-50 win, Prescott struggled with defending 4A state champ Deer Valley in a 64-45 loss.

The Skyhawks (4-1, 0-0 4A West Valley) beat Cortez, Prescott, Mesquite and Sahuaro to win the title a season ago.

The Badgers (1-1, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) look to rebound at Arcadia on Monday, Dec. 9. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

ALA-GILBERT NORTH 66, FLAGSTAFF 49

GILBERT — Freshman standout Kenyan Lee scored 16 points, Tayshawn Bahe added 12 but Flagstaff struggled out of the gate, trailing 37-12 at halftime and never recovered in a 66-49 loss to ALA-Gilbert North on Thursday night.

Four ALA-Gilbert North players were in double figures with Aidan Grant and Viktor Babic leading the way with 14 points, while Kyle Speed and Conner Morris each added 12 in the win.

The Eagles outrebounded Flagstaff 46-29.

Flagstaff (0-4, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) goes for their first win of the season Monday, Dec. 9, against Poston Butte. Tipoff at 7 p.m.

GIRLS 4A HOOPS

SUNNYSLOPE 52, PRESCOTT 28

PRESCOTT — The Badgers trailed 8-6 after the first quarter of play, but it was smooth sailing after that for Sunnyslope as they outscored Prescott 35-12 between the second and third quarters in a 52-28 win on Saturday night.

Prescott (5-3, 0-0 4A Grand Canyon) won four straight to open the season but has lost three of four now, including to a club in Sunnyslope that made it to the quarterfinals of the Open State Championships a season ago out of the 6A conference.

The Badgers made the dance as a No. 14 seed in 2023-24, only to lose to rival Flagstaff 77-45 in the first round. Their tough schedule continues with road trips to ALA-Gilbert North and St. Mary’s before returning home after the holidays to host Paradise Valley in their tournament opener Jan. 2.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.