It was a state championship game about the past as much as it was the present.

All-time meetings. State championship appearances. State titles. Passionate fans.

Window Rock and Page have intertwined in girls basketball for ages and Saturday’s meeting added to the annals of the series.

No. 1 vs. No. 2. Rubber match. State championship on the line.

Page won 32-30 over Window Rock for the 3A state title at Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in a game that struggled with tempo and continuity.

It was the Sand Devils’ second title in three years and ninth overall to tie for the second most in state history.

“We prepare for these moments,” Page coach Celeste “Boka” Claw said. “I love seeing these girls being able finish off the season with the satisfaction of winning a state championship.”

It came down to what both teams pride themselves – defense and patience on offense. The teams combined for 10 points in the fourth quarter with Page’s Tayla Franklin making one of two free throws with 18.3 seconds left and Sarah Dodson making one of two with 8.3 seconds left.

Window Rock (21-10) had a chance to tie it, but a charge call led to a change of possession with 2 seconds left and a celebration by Page after the Sand Devils’ inbounded.

“I had to keep my composure and stay calm,” Dodson said. “I knew I had to make at least one to make it a two-point game. It means a lot to know I helped us win a state championship.”

It’s what Page (17-14) does as it was the Sand Devils’ 19th overall appearance, a state record, and their ninth championship. The program has advanced to the state title game eight times over the last 10 years.

Junior Trece Tsingine was named MVP after finishing with nine points and 11 rebounds, while Frankling had nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.

It was Claw’s second title as a coach – having beat Window Rock in the 2024 3A title game – compared to one state title for Page as a player, her senior year, in 2012.

“Winning it as a coach is better,” she said. “You are able to share it the players. It’s pretty special either way.”

Window Rock led 29-28 with 3:11 left but managed just one free throw make the rest of the way as the tempo, continuity and flow was never there for either offense.

The top-seeded Fighting Scouts, led by Kourtney Bitselley’s nine points and nine rebounds, will struggle to get over it and play around with the dreaded what-if-scenario doom scroll in the brain.

But reality is the program made its 11th appearance in a state title and will be one of the 3A favorites next year season’s favorites considering the lineup had two freshmen and a sophomore in the lineup.

“I’m in shock about this game and how we came out,” Window Rock coach Gabrielle Whitney said. “Usually, we bring momentum and energy. It just wasn’t there this game. It was a slow start for both teams, and it never had a good tempo that we are used to.”

The Scouts, whose last state title came in 2011, will move forward, but not before paying homage to seniors Kelly James, Shanlie Smith, Winnter Gibney and Bitselley.

“This team is resilient and they never back down,” Whitney said. “One thing I know about these girls is they always keep going, no matter what. I really wanted it for our seniors. They worked hard for us, and I really wanted it for them.”

 Page makes the long drive back to the Utah boarder knowing the community while embrace the champions.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere, and everyone is going to be happy,” Tsingine said. “It going to be so cool.”