The Chinle Wildcats and Winslow Bulldogs rallied in the fourth quarter, in their respective boy's basketball games, to hold off their opponents, for a victory on Friday night.

Down by nine points at the end of the third quarter, Chinle's defense held Page to four points, while the Wildcats' offense poured in 21 points in the fourth stanza for a 54-46 victory over the Sand Devils. Chinle, 24-4, completed the 3A North Region with an unbeaten 10-0 record.

The Wildcats earned the No. 1 seed in next week's 3A North Regional Tournament, which is set to begin on February 7 at Monument Valley High School's Nash Gymnasium in Kayenta. The Regional Tournament moves to Ganado High School's Hornet Pavilion on February 8 for the semifinals. The Regional Tournament concludes on February 9 with the championship at Window Rock High School's Events Center.

In a run-and-gun contest, defending 3A State Champion Winslow outlasted Blue Ridge Yellowjackets, 85-83, in a 3A East Region ball game at Blue Ridge High School gymnasium.

Winslow was down by three points, 62-59, at the end of the third quarter. Both teams played uptempo basketball in the fourth quarter. Winslow and Blue Ridge traded baskets thoughout the fourth quarter, before the Bulldogs outscored the Yellowjackets, 26-21, to post the win.

Winslow, 20-4, improved its 3A East Region mark to 7-1 with two regular season games remaining.

Boys

Chinle 54, Page 46

Page raced out to a 23-5 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Sand Devils and Chinle both scored 14 points apiece in the second quarter. When teams entered the locker room for halftime, Page held a 37-19 lead.

Chinle's defense came through in the third quarter. Page managed five points. Chinle canned 14 points in the third frame. Page held a 42-33 lead when the third period expired. Chinle held Page to four points, while the Wildcats knocked down 21 points.

Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza said the Wildcats' defense and team leadership from Cooper Burbank and Jason John sparked Chinle.

"A great team effort, led by Cooper Burbank and Jason John," Mendoza said. "We also got great help from Cael Denetdeel, Kylen Yazzie and Colin Yazzie, coming off the bench. Defensively, Jason and Cael made some great defensive plays in the second half that got us in the game. Jason hit a big three in the game that gave us the lead."

Cooper Burbank tallied 18 points, followed by Jason John with 17 points and Colin Yazzie added seven points for Chinle.

Justin Salabiye netted 13 points, Gabe Gomez tallied 12 points and Jonah Holiday canned 10 points for Page.

Boys

Winslow 85, Blue Ridge 83

After the game's opening tip off, uptempo basketball began. Winslow and Blue Ridge pushed the ball up the floor, with very little defense.

In the first quarter, the track meet began. Blue Ridge shot well from beyond the three-point arc. Winslow stayed with the Yellowjackets.

When the first quarter expired, Blue Ridge held a four point lead, 26-22. The uptempo play continued in the second quarter. Blue Ridge took a 50-42 lead into the locker room for halftime, after outscoring Winslow, 24-20.

The tempo of the contest slowed down a bit in the third quarter. The Bulldogs were within three points, 62-59, when outscoring the Yellowjackets, 17-12. The tempo of the game sped up in the fourth quarter. Winslow outgunned Blue Ridge, 26-21.

Winslow head coach Scott Corum said the game was fun to watch.

"The game was fast paced and high scoring," Corum said. "Blue Ridge made eight three-pointers in the first half. In the second half, we did a better job of defending the perimter and held them to just three three-pointer makes. We also did a good job on the offensive boards, grabbing 19 of them."

Darrius James and Dustin Richard both pumped in 21 points for Winslow. Zachary Wagner added 18 points for the Bulldogs.

Blue Ridge's Darrien Burnette scorched the cords for 32 points. Corey Endfield tallied 13 points and K.J. Anderson canned 12 points for the Bluejackets.

Girls

Winslow 78, Blue Ridge 52

Winslow turned in a solid offensive performance in the second and third quarters to take a 78-52 win over Blue Ridge in a 3A East Region contest.

Winslow took a 19-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Bulldogs extended its lead to 41-22 at the end of the second quarter.

Winslow continued its hot shooting in the third period, canning 21 points. Blue Ridge tallied 17 points. Winslow held a 62-39 lead when the third period concluded. Winslow outpointed Blue Ridge, 16-13, during the final eight minutes of the game.

"My team played good defense that created our offense for us tonight," said Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan. "My team was balanced in the front and back court."

Kelli Mitchell canned 21 points and Justine Butterfield added 19 points for Winslow.

Girls

Page 53, Chinle 38

Page turned a close game into a 15 point victory, 53-38, over the Chinle Lady Wildcats in a 3A North Region contest.

Page and Chinle played conservative in the first quarter, as the Lady Sand Devils held a 9-8 lead. The Lady Sand Devils outscored the Lady Wildcats, 12-10, for a 20-19 halftime lead.

The tempo of the game shifted to uptempo in the third quarter. Page tallied 21 points to Chinle's 13 points. The Lady Sand Devils took a 41-32 lead as the third period expired. Page netted 12 points to Chinle six markers during the final eight minutes of the game.

"We started off great," said Chinle head coach Francine McCurtain. "We played a great matchup first half. Page did a great job maintaining intense defense. We fell short and behind on rebounding and staying aggressive. Another game to learn from. Now on into regionals next week."

Stacey Begay tallied 11 points and Aisha Ashley added nine points for Chinle.

Camryn Nockideneh led Page with 15 points and Miquedah Taliman canned eight points.

Girls

Holbrook 60, Snowflake 38

Holbrook played a strong game as the Lady Roadrunners chalked up a 60-38 win in 3A East Region contest.

Holbrook took a 21-5 first quarter lead. The Lady Roadrunners outscored Snowflake, 16-11, for a 37-16 halftime lead.

The Lady Roadrunners outscored the Lady Lobos, 13-10, for a 50-26 lead at the end of the third period. Snowflake netted 12 points to Holbrook's 10 markers during the final eight minutes of the game.

"We played fairly well," said Holbrook head coach Greg Perkins. "Girls stepped up on the defensive end. We were able to carry over some defensive things from practices to the game. Megan (Cummings) played really well tonight. Was good to see her shooting again. Now we have to kepp improving and building for next week and the state tournament."

Megan Cummings led Holbrook with 20 points. Matehya Aberle added 12 points and Madison Chappell tallied 10 points for Holbrook.