The last time the Lady Wildcats lost a regular season game was Dec. 4, when they faced Chinle, which is currently unbeaten in 3A basketball. Since that loss, Joseph City has piled up 15 consecutive regular season wins including two more last week.
Tuesday’s home game with Ash Fork was a mere tune-up for their matchup with top-ranked Fort Thomas on Friday night. The Spartans gave the Cats little resistance in the 59-13 Joseph City win. The home team went up 19-0 in the first quarter, then extended that to 44-4 at the half. The second half was more of the same in the lopsided win.
Amber Neill led the way in scoring, with 15 points. Audrey Neill added 13; Samantha Jesmer, 7; Gabby Jesmer, 6; Jaydiana Kinlicheenie, 4; April Neill, 4; McKenzie Jesmer, 4; Raylee Fish, 4; and Tori Beatty added 2.
Friday night was the game most of 1A girls basketball was focused on. The Wildcats entered that game ranked second in the state, and they were hosting top-ranked Fort Thomas. The Apaches were on a 13-game regular season win streak as well, with their last loss also on Dec. 4.
Something had to give, and the Lady Wildcats used a big fourth-quarter finish to win the game 63-40. The home team started well, leading 14-5 at the end of the first quarter. Fort Thomas battled back in the second and trailed just 25-23 at the half. The Wildcats extended their lead to 43-36 going into the fourth. Over the final eight minutes, Joseph City went on a 20-4 run to win the game convincingly and should return to the top spot when the 1A rankings are released on Tuesday.
Amber Neill posted 20 points and pulled down nine boards. Gabby Jesmer added 13 and handed out four assists. Audrey Neill finished with 12. April Neill added 9; McKenzie Jesmer, 4; Samantha Jesmer, 3; and Fish helped with 2.
With the two wins the Lady Wildcats improved their overall season record to 23-4. They are now 9-0 in region play and 16-1 in regular-season contests. They have one regular season game left and with an expected win over Williams on Tuesday they will finish as the top team in the 1A rankings. They should qualify for the new 1A-3A Open Division Tournament, known as the Copper Tournament. That new tourney will get underway on Feb. 11, with the top overall 1A through 3A ranked teams based on power points playing at higher seed sites. Joseph City will be on the road as they will not finish inside the top eight of that Copper tournament bracket.
If Joseph City loses in either the first or second round of the Copper Tournament, they will be returned to the 1A State tournament Bracket.
Before the Open Tournament, Joseph City will compete in the 1A Central Tournament hosted by Williams this coming weekend.
