By Greg Perkins The Wildcats put three more tallies in the win column last week with victories over St. Michaels, Ash Fork and Williams. Hosting St. Michaels on Tuesday, the Cats fell behind through the first eight minutes but rallied back in the second to lead by three at the half. The third period was the difference where Joseph City outscored the Cardinals 16-4 opening up a sizeable lead. They went on to win the game 52-44. Another big outing from senior post Jay Edwards who finished with 27 points on just 18 shot attempts and pulled down 12 boards. Avery Buckley netted 9; Karter Lampsa, 6; and Bannon Johnstun and Bryce Bushman helped with 5 each. Hosting Ash Fork on Thursday night, Joseph City cruised to a 67-34 win. They doubled up the Spartans in the first, then opened up a 33-14 half-time cushion. Ash Fork outscored the Wildcats by two in the third but a 20-4 performance in the fourth really put the game away. Edwards notched 20 points and 18 boards in what is becoming customary for him. Lampsa netted 16; Johnston, 9; Bushman, 7; Buckley, 6; Bridger Fields, 4; Blake Palmer, 2; Zane Johnson, 2; and Travis Wilson netted 1. Joseph City’s best and closest game of the week came on Saturday against the Williams Vikings where they built a large first quarter lead, then held on over the final three periods to secure the 80-73 win. The Cats led by 11 after the first and held that same margin at the half. The Vikings put up 50 second half points, with 28 coming in the final frame but Joseph City scored 46 in the second half to hang on for the win. Edwards poured in 27 and pulled in eight rebounds. Lampsa scored 22 and grabbed eight boards. Johnston finished with 15; Tyler Penrod, 7; Buckley, 5; and Bushman chipped in 4. With the three wins, the Wildcats improved their overall season mark to 8-3. They are in first place in the 1A northeast region and were ranked 15th in the rankings prior to Saturday’s game with Williams. Williams entered that contest ranked seventh so expect Joseph City to rise in the rankings when they are released on Tuesday. The week is the final week of the regular season for the Wildcats. A pair of games with their nemesis Mogollon will be played Tuesday in Heber and Thursday in Joseph City. They will put a wrap on the regular season on Friday with a trip to Ray. Both Mogollon and Ray are ranked in the top 10 so any wins this week will help Joseph City in the 1A standings. The 1A state tournament begins on Friday, March 5, with the first two rounds played at the higher-seeded teams. The second round is slated for Tuesday, March 9.
