Page Sand Devils swept Tuba City Warriors in 3A North Region girl's and boy's basketball action in Page.

3A North Region regular season basketball play continues until February 2. At conclusion of the regular season, the 3A North Regional girl's and boy's basketball tournament will be staged at three venues, February 7-9.

The site for the regional tournament was changed, due to the recent closure of the Wildcat Den in Chinle. The Wildcat Den was scheduled to host the regional tournament. The basketball court at the Wildcat Den suffered severe water damage, when water pipes broke, due to a frozen water line during the Christmas holiday. Water poured onto the basketball court. The basketball court will be replaced. Chinle Wildcats has been playing its home games at Chinle High School gymnasium.

Kayenta Monument Valley High School wil be the site on February 7 for the first round.

The regional tournament shifts to Ganado High School on February 8 for the semifinals.

The regional tournament third place and championship games will be played on February 9 at Window Rock High School Events Center in Fort Defiance.

Girls

Page 65, Tuba City 43

Page held a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Sand Devils turned in a solid second quarter, offensively, pouring in 29 points. Tuba City could muster four points. At halftime, Page took a 43-14 lead.

Tuba City stepped up in the third quarter, outscoring Page, 13-12. The Lady Sand Devils continued to lead, 55-27. Page outscored Tuba City 19-16 during the fourth period.

Miquedah Taliman led Page with 16 points. Myka Taliman added 12 points and Mikaya Begay tallied 11 points for the Lady Sand Devils.

Tuba City head coach Kimberly Williams said Page was more aggressive.and executed very well. Williams a key for Page was free throw shooting. She said Page shot 90 per cent from the free throw line, while Tuba City shot 45 per cent.

"Page's three point shots were falling for them," Williams said. "We played them even for three quarters and we had one bad quarter, I told my team, 'you can't win when you play only one half the game'. Playing in Page is always tough and they take care of their home court."

Williams said the Lady Warriors need to own up to their loss and take responsibility for their performance. The Lady Warriors have nine regular season games remaining. Williams said the Lady Warriors have to win all the games remaining.

"We have to protect our home court this Saturday against Window Rock, which wll be a challenge," Williams said.

Boys

Page 52, Tuba City 45

Page raced out to a 16-12 first quarter lead. The tempo of the game slowed down in the second quarter, where Tuba City outscored Page, 7-5. The Sand Devils held a 21-19 halftime lead.

The Sand Devils netted 19 points to the Warriors' 11 markers in the third period. Page took a 40-30 lead at the end of the third quarter. Page tallied 12 points and Tuba City canned 15 points during the fourth period. 

Danian Sloan led Page with 16 points. Gabe Gomez added 15 points, followed by Jonah Holiday netted nine points and Justin Salabiye canned eight points.

"It was a good rivalry game," said Page head coach Gary Skubal. "In the low scoring second quarter, more guys were on the floor after loose balls than buckets were scored. If that tells you how hard the guys were playing. We did a good job of defending and getting the shots we wanted. We just did not knock many early."