The Wildcats had a successful week on the hardwood winning all three of their games, pushing their regular season mark to 10-2.
Facing the Phantoms in Grand Canyon on Tuesday, the Wildcats had their only really easy game of the three. Joseph City scored 49 first half points and prevailed 75-49. Seth Hutchens drained 26 points with four three-point bombs, Ricky Hulsey added 13, and Latrell Kinlicheenie finished with 11. Karter Lampsa, Avery Buckley, Tyler Penrod and Travis Wilson each scored two.
Hosting Round Valley on Friday night the Wildcats withstood a 26-point fourth quarter by the Elks to garner an 82-72 win, which didn’t include a whole lot of defense by either team.
Three Wildcat players including Hutchens, 31; Kinlicheenie, 23; and Jay Edwards, 23; scored all but five the Joseph City’s points.
Hutchens again hit four three-point shots. Edwards had a double with 10 boards, and Kinlicheenie nailed three treys and picked up eight more points at the charity stripe. Buckley added 3, and Hulsey helped with 2 points.
Hosting Basis school from Flagstaff on Saturday the Wildcats finished the first period tied at 14 with the Yeti. In the second they opened up a 10-point lead. After Basis cut that lead to six by the end of the third, Joseph City pulled away late in the fourth period for the 68-55 win.
Hutchens again led the team in scoring with 24 points. Kinlicheenie added 24 with four treys, Edwards helped with 16 points, Hulsey had 4, and Buckley helped with 3.
Joseph City was ranked 11th in the 1A rankings prior to their wins on Friday and Saturday. Another three-game week on tap this week for the Cats. After playing at Williams on Tuesday, they will host Mogollon on Friday, then travel to Cibecue on Saturday. Next Tuesday they will host Williams.
The Wildcats entered this week with an overall record of 17-3.
