3A GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT

CHINLE 53, WINSLOW 46

Chinle outscored Winslow three of four quarters in a 32-minute girls' basketball contest, as the Lady Wildcats chalked up a 53-46 victory in the Wildcat Den In Chinle in the second round of the 3A Girls State Tournament in the Wildcat Den in Chinle on Friday night.

The victory was sweet for Chinle head coach Francine McCurtain, especially earning a first round bye and advancing into the state tournament quarterfinals after the win over her alma mater, Winslow. McCurtain was a four-time All-State guard for coaching legend Don Petranovich, a former Winslow head coach.

Earlier during the regular season, Winslow defeated Chinle in Don Petranovich Gymnasium in Winslow.

No. 8 Chinle, 16-10, advances into the state tournament quarterfinals. Chinle meets No. 1 Tucson Sabino on Monday in Findley Toyoto Center in Prescott Valley.

No. 9 Winslow, 20-10, completes its season 20-10.

Winslow outscored Chinle, 9-6, in the first quarter. Chinle battled back in the second quarter, outscoring Winslow, 19-12, taking a 25-21 halftime advantage.

The teams slowed down the tempo of the game in the third quarter. The Lady Wildcats scored nine points, while the Lady Bulldogs mustered seven points. Chinle took a 34-28 lead when the third quarter expired. The teams exchanged baskets throughout the fourth quarter. The Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Bulldogs, 17-15.

Tea Murray poured in 23 points to pace Chinle. Brandii Clah added 10 points for Chinle.

McCurtain said the Lady Wildcats did not play well in the first quarter.

"We picked up our defense at the end of the second quarter and got the halftime lead, 25-22," McCurtain said. "Our halftime chat was about taking care of the ball. After we forced turnovers. We continued to keep our defense up in the third and fourth quarters, as the most we got up by was 14. They closed the lead to six."

McCurtain continued, "In the fourth quarter, we really pushed through their press and just had to convert, but we missed key layup opportunities. That didn't stop the girls to get back on defense."

McCurtain praised the work from senior post Tea Murray.

"Tea did an outstanding job playing on the inside," McCurtain said. "We went to the line, which helped us. Brandii (Clah) took some great shots and led the team as our point guard. It was an all around team effort. Great job, Winslow and Lady 'Cats."

Kylie Begay was Winslow's top scorer with 12 points. Oniah Barton Paddock added 10 points.