The Winslow Bulldogs ended its first half of the boy's basketball season with a splash.

Winslow chalked up an impressive 95-42 freedom game victory over the Ganado Hornets in Don Petranovich Gymnasium in Winslow on Tuesday night.

Winslow improved its overall season record to 10-3. The Bulldogs will not see any action until January 8 at Show Low in a 3A East Region game.

Ganado dropped to 2-6 overall. The Hornets entertain the Chinle Wildcats, 10-1, in a 3A North Region contest this Wednesday in the Hornet Pavilion at Burnside Junction. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

In the girl's contest, Winslow edged Ganado, 36-34, in a freedom game. Winslow, 8-2 overall, face Heber Mogollon on December 27 in the first round of the Chandler Prep Tournament in Chandler, Arizona.

The Lady Hornets, 4-3, host the Chinle Lady Wildcats, 4-3, in a 3A North Region game in the Hornet Pavilion on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Boys

Winslow 95, Ganado 42

Winslow took it to Ganado in the first quarter. The Bulldogs raced out to a commanding 33-10 lead during the opening stanza. Winslow rattled the cages for 25 points in the second quarter. Ganado hit for eight points. When the first half ended, Winslow held a 58-18 lead.

Winslow head coach Scott Corum said the Bulldogs shot the ball well during the opening 16 minutes of play.

"It was nice to jump out and grab a big lead and be able to maintain that," Corum said.

Winslow, substituting freely, pushed the ball up the floor, playing uptempo. The Bulldogs netted 19 points and the Hornets canned 12 points in the third quarter. Winslow extended its lead to 77-30. Playing with a running clock, due to mercy rule, Winslow outpointed Ganado, 18-12, during the fourth quarter.

Four players scored in double digits for Winslow. Darius James led the Bulldogs, tallying a game high 21 points. Tyrell Young added 18 points, followed by Joseph Gonzalez with 14 points and Michael Tafoya pumped in 10 points for Winslow.

Andre Joseph canned 16 points, Daunte Morgan knocked down 11 points and Colby Kee added six points for Ganado.

"We really spread the wealth offensively," Corum said. "We had four guys score in double digits. We really did a good job on the boards, which allowed us to get out and run."

Corum praised the performance of his bench.

"Our bench played a lot of minute and was able to keep the lead," Corum stated. "I really feel good about that. It was a great way to end the first part of the season."

Girls

Winslow 36, Ganado 34

Winslow and Ganado played patiently from the opening tip off throughout the first half.

The Lady Bulldogs led 9-7 at the end of the first quarter. Winslow and Ganado both tallied six points each in the second quartrer. Winslow held a 15-13 lead when the first half expired.

Ganado outscored Winslow, 13-10, to take a 26-25 advantage at the end of the third period. It was anyone's ball game in the fourth quarter. Winslow netted 11 points to Ganado's eight points.

Winslow senior post Justine Butterfield poured in 11 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs.

Ganado's Abigail Benally led all scorers, pumping in 17 points.

"It was a tough defensive game by both teams," said Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan. "My team made some big key steals in the late seconds of the game that allowed us to get big baskets and a trip to the free throw line. I am very proud of them and the team's efforts."

Ganado, 4-3 overall, host the Chinle Lady Wildcats, 4-3, in a 3A North Region game this Wednesday in the Hornet Pavilion in a 6 p.m. contest.