The Lady Wildcats started a busy week with a road win at rival Mogollon on Tuesday night. The Cats held a 4-point lead through the first frame and extended that margin to 9 points at the half. The second half belonged entirely to the Lady Wildcats, who outscored the Mustangs 27-6 cruising to the 53-23 win.
Audrey Neill led four players in double figures with 15 points. Amber Neill added 12; Raylee Fish, 10; Kaci Palmer, 10; McKenzie Jesmer, 4; and Jaydiana Kinlicheenie helped with 2 points.
Joseph City then claimed the championship at the Round Valley Round Ball tournament held Thursday through Friday. They picked up wins over Valley Sanders, and Holbrook on Thursday in pool play, then began their bracket play surviving a 1-point win over San Carlos.
The Wildcats got on top early in that game, but San Carlos roared back late in the game and held a 3-point lead with less than four seconds on the clock. Audrey Neill took the ball down the right sideline and as she launched a shot that nearly went in, San Carlos made the mistake of fouling her on the shot sending her to the line for three free throws. The senior made the first two but missed the third with one second left. Fortunately for her a teammate got the offensive rebound and put back as time expired leaving Joseph City with a 47-46 win and a trip to the quarterfinal round.
In the next round they met up with Holbrook for the second time in as many days. Joseph City won the first meeting 47-40, and survived the second meeting in a much closer game. Holbrook had their chances but missed too many free throws and the Wildcats got a big game from Amber Neill, advancing to the semifinal game with a 43-40 win over the Roadrunners.
In the semifinal round they easily dispatched Blue Ridge 33-20, earning a trip to the championship game vs the host school Round Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Joseph City’s defense was tough in the final game, holding the Elks to just 22 points in the 32-22 Wildcat win.
With the six tournament wins added to their total, Joseph City is now 10-0 on the season and 4-0 in regular season games. They will host Hopi on Tuesday night this week, then welcome in a good defensive St. Johns team on Wednesday.
This weekend they will participate in the Southwest Food Excellence Winter Classic hosted by Chinle High School. They will face Agua Fria, and Mountain View Marana on Friday, then see Chinle and Hopi on Saturday.
Following the holiday break, they will return to action on Jan. 2, with a home game with Ash Fork. On Jan. 5, they host Camp Verde, on Jan. 6, they play at Sedona, then on Jan. 7, they will host Valley Sanders in a busy return to the hoops season.
