The Chinle Wildcats completed pool play with one win and a loss in the White Mountain Holiday Classic, hosted by Blue Ridge High School. The Wildcats, 12-2, play Combs High School, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, at 10:30 a.m. this morning as the tournament bracket begins.

The Page Sand Devils advances to the tournament championship game at the Striking Eagle Native American Invitational in Johnson Arena on the campus of University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Page faces Navajo Prep Eagles, of Farmington, New Mexico, for the title game at 7:30 p.m. today.

Chinle Wildcats

Chinle stopped Ash Fork, 87-30, in the first game of pool play.

Chinle shot well and played solid defense in the first quarter. The Wildcats rattled the cages for 29 points and contained Ash Fork to 11 first quarter points. Chinle continued playing strong defense in the second quarter, as Ash Fork managed two points. The Wildcats canned 29 points for a commanding 58-13 halftime lead.

The Wildcats outscored Ash Fork, 22-11, in the third quarter for an 80-24 lead. Chinle netted seven points to Ash Fork's six points during the fourth quarter.

"Defensively, our full court pressure created a lot of easy baskets, that gave us the quick lead, which enabled us to get everyone in the game," said Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza.

Chinle 6-foot-2 junior standout Cooper Burbank poured in 26 points to pace all scorers. Colin Yazzie added 11 points and Angelo Lewis tallied nine points for Chinle.

Playing its second pool game of the day, Chinle dropped a 57-49 decision to a tall, talented and skilled Carlsbad, California team.

Chinle took a 15-13 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Wildcats could not buy a basket in the second quarter. Carlsbad outscored Chinle, 16-5, to take a 29-20 halftime lead.

Chinle tallied 15 points, while Carlsbad netted 12 points in the third quarter. Carlsbad held a 41-35 advantage, leading into the fourth quarter. Carlsbad outscored Chinle, 16-14, during the fourth stanza.

Chinle's Cooper Burbank knocked down 21 points to lead Chinle. Angelo Lewis tallied 10 points and Curtis Begay added nine points for the Wildcats.

"We played hard, but we allowed their height to effect us inside," Mendoza said. "They beat us on the boards, that led to easy put backs. In the second quarter, we hit a cold spell where we didn't get very many good looks that led us to poor shot selection. Overall, we gave a great effort in the game that will help us in getting better as a team."

Page Sand Devils

Page outscored Santa Fe Indian School Braves, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, three of the game's four quarters to post a 54-41 victory.

Santa Fe Indian School held a 10-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter. Page stormed back in the seond quarter, outscoring the Braves, 17-11, to take a 26-21 halftime lead.

"We started slow, but warmed up as the game went on," said Page head coach Gary Skubal.

The Sand Devils went on a roll in the third quarter. Page netted 18 points, while Santa Fe Indian School canned 12 points. Page continued its lead, 44-33, as the third quarter expired. Page tallied 10 points to the Braves' eight points in the fourth stanza.

"I was most pleased with our defense," Kubal said. "This team (Santa Fe Indian School) scored 93 points yesterday (Wednesday) and we held them to 41 points. Gabe Gomez did outstanding, holding a great guard to six points. Justin Salabiye also played great defense."

Skubal said the Sand Devils outrebounded the Braves, 36 to 18. He said the Sand Devils pulled down 16 offensive rebounds.

"I would have like to have fewer turnovers, but we overcame them with tough defense," Skubal said.

Anu Sloan led Page with 16 points, followed by Benjamin Alvarez with 15 points. Gabe Gomez added seven points and Justin Salabiye netted five points for the Sand Devils.