It was a sweep for Chinle basketball teams in 3A North Region action in the Hornet Pavilion at Burnside Junction on Wednesday night.

The Chinle Lady Wildcats outlasted the Ganado Lady Hornets, 47-42, as Stacey Begay, Tia Murray and Meishyla Begay combined for 41 points. Begay pumped in 19 points, while Murray poured in 12 points and Begay tallied 10 points for Chinle.

In boy's action, Chinle improved its season record to 11-1, when the Wildcats chalked up an impressive 70-43 win over Ganado. Cooper Burbank scorched the cords for 25 points, followed by Angelo Lewis netted 22 points and Curtis Begay knocked down 16 points in a winning effort for Chinle.

Girls

Chinle 47, Ganado 42

Ganado and Chinle played patiently during the opening eight minutes of action. The Lady Hornets took a 9-8 lead. The tempo of the game remained similar as the first quarter. The Lady Hornets tallied nine points and Chinle scored eight points. The Lady Hornets held an 18-16 halftime advantage.

"Both teams did a great job on defense," said Chinle head coach Francine McCurtain. "It took awhile for either team to score at first. Our bigs (post Stacey Begay and power forward Tia Murray) on the inside helped each other on (Ganado post) Micheleine Coleman. Stacey (Begay) and Tia (Murray) worked very well together."

The tempo of the game picked up in the third quarter. Chinle canned 10 points to Ganado's seven points. The Lady Wildcats took a one point lead, 26-25, at the end of the third quarter. Chinle and Ganado picked up the pace in the fourth quarter. The Lady Wildcats knocked down 21 points and the Lady Hornets were not far behind, tallying 17 points in the fourth stanza.

"We made a few mistakes here and there, but we were able to stay aggressive with Stacey (Begay) driving the bsll and Meishyla (Begay) hitting some key shots in the end," McCurtain said. "We had one-and-one opportunities at the line, but were three-for-six. We ended up with the win. We are looking forward to working over the (Christmas holiday) break."

Jayla McIntosh led Ganado, netting 13 points. Micheleine Coleman added 12 points and Abigail Benally canned eight points for the Lady Hornets.

Chinle, 5-3, are participating in the Chandler Prep Classic in Chandler, Arizona on December 27-29. The Lady Wildcats face Maricopa in the first round on December 27.

Ganado, 4-5, travels to Kayenta to take on the Monument Valley Lady Mustangs this Friday in a 3A North Region contest at 6 p.m.

From December 27-29, Ganado is participating in the Arcadia Lady Tital Hoops Classic in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Boys

Chinle 70, Ganado 43

Chinle and Ganado had trouble buying a basket during the first quarter. The Wildcats outscored the Hornets, 11-8, in the first stanza. Chinle found its niche in the second quarter, tallying 18 points. Ganado netted 12 points. As the teams left the floor for halftime, Chinle had a 29-20 lead.

"We came out very flat in the first half," said Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza. "Ganado simply out played us with great hustle."

Chinle began to pull away in the third quarter, when the Wildcats poured in 17 points. Ganado scored nine points. The Wildcats held a 46-29 advantage when the third frame ended. Chinle shifted into overdrive offensively in the fourth quarter, netting 24 points. Ganado hit for 14 points in the final eight minutes of action.

Wacey Benward poured in 13 points, followed by Luey Chee and Daunte Morgan with seven points apiece for Ganado.

"In the second half, we picked up the tempo on defense, that led to easy baskets," Mendoza said.

Chinle will participate in the White Mountain Tournament, hosted by Blue Ridge Yellowjackets, December 27-29. The Wildcats will play in Pool Play on December 27.

Ganado, 2-9, will be on the road this Friday in Kayenta, facing the Monument Valley Mustangs in an important 3A North Region game at 7:30 p.m.

Ganado will travel to the suburbs of Albuquerque, New Mexico to play in the Rio Rancho Holiday Hoops Classic on December 27-29. The Hornets face Hope Christian of Albuquerque, New Mexico in the first round of the tournament on December 27.