The boys from Chandler Valley Christian aren’t really used to running their offense against the quick, ball-hawking, defense minded teams from northern Arizona.

But somehow, the Trojans did just enough to turn away visiting Winslow 62-49 in a Division III first-round game on Tuesday night (Feb. 12).

Valley Christian (19-9), the No. 9 seed, advances to the second round on Friday against No. 8 St. Johns. Tip-off is 9 a.m. at Northern Arizona University’s Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff. Winslow, the 24^th and final seed in the tournament, finished 16-14.

“It wasn’t pretty,’’ Valley Christian coach Greg Haagsma said with a sigh of relief.

The Trojans had seen a team with a similar style in the recent sectional tournament in Phoenix Cortez, but Haagsma said, “playing teams such as Winslow, teams in the (Navajo) reservation area, is a new experience because we haven’t really played teams like that in this two-year scheduling block.

“Not used to the quick hands down low, the constant pressure.’’

After a close first quarter, Valley Christian began to adjust to the quicker tempo.

Valley Christian went on a 9-0 run to begin the second, and had a 27-20 advantage at the half.

With Brock Temple drilling a pair of 3-pointers near the end of the third quarter, Valley Christian had a 44-27 lead going into the fourth. Temple, who did not score in the first half, hit two more from long range to begin the fourth to dash any hopes Winslow had of being able to get back into contention.

The Bulldogs were forced to foul, and Valley Christian went to the free-throw line 15 times in the final 3:17, making 10.

Winslow had an edge in quickness, but Valley Christian had a height advantage, which prevented Winslow from getting many second chances.

Now it’s on to the next round for the Trojans. If they should defeat St. Johns, they likely would meet top-seeded Fort Defiance Window Rock in the quarterfinals on Monday (Feb. 18) at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.

“We haven’t been a good offensive team for a couple of weeks now,’’ Haagsma said. “We are playing pretty good defense, and we need to keep doing that.’’

Haagsma’s son, Brandon, led Valley Christian with 20 points, including a pair of 3-pointers in the first half, and Temple had 13.

Michael Goldtooth and Milland Thomas each had 11 for Winslow.