The Winslow Bulldogs made their way to the championship game of the 3A North Region Tournament last weekend in Chinle with wins over Ganado and Window Rock, then won the crown by defeating Monument Valley.
The Bulldogs beat Ganado’s Hornets 53-47 last Thursday.
Ganado led 10-7 after the first quarter and 18-17 at the half. The Bulldogs came alive in the third quarter and had a 38-33 lead going into the final period.
Kraig Shirley led all scorers with 22 points for Winslow. Tyler Williams was also in double figures for the Bulldogs with 11 points. Tremayne Nez scored 9 for Winslow and Jevon Estelle added 8 for the Bulldogs.
Jaime Dennison led Ganado’s offense with 21 points, followed by Armando Cervantes with 12.
Winslow 7 10 21 15 53
Ganado 10 8 15 14 47
Winslow: Tyler Williams 11, Kraig Shirley 22, Sedale Flanagan 1, Jevon Estelle 8, Tremayne Nez 9 and Mark Oliva 2.
Ganado: Jaime Dennison 21, Dion Salabye 2, Armando Cervantes 12, Isaiah James 2, Quillan Blueeyes 4 and Marcus Begay 6.
Window Rock earned its spot in the semifinals with an 85-65 win over the Tuba City Warriors.
In the other quarterfinal game, the Monument Valley Mustangs defeated the Chinle Wildcats 66-58 to earn the right to play the Holbrook Roadrunners, regular season champions who had a first round bye.
Winslow edged the Window Rock Scouts 57-56 in a semifinal game played on Friday.
The game was tied 15-15 after the first period of play and Window Rock led 25-23 at the half. Winslow came back and had a two point 43-41 lead after three quarters, but needed a last second basket to pull out the one-point win.
Shirley again led all scorers with 20 points for the Bulldogs. Williams with 17 points and Nez with 12 were also in double figures for Winslow, and Jevon Estelle rounded out the Bulldogs’ scoring with 8 points.
Kyler Ashley led Window Rock with 14 points. Ote Manson and Jaydiamond Taliman each scored 12 points for the Scouts.
WR 15 10 16 15 56
Winslow 15 8 20 14 57
Window Rock: Ote Manson 12, Kyler Ashley 14, Josh Paldo 5, Dominique Dale 8, Ty Waneka 5 and Jaydiamond Taliman 12.
Winslow: Tyler Williams 17, Kraig Shirley 20, Jevon Estelle 8 and Tremayne Nez 12.
The win earned the Bulldogs a spot in the championship game against Monument Valley, where they defeated the Mustangs 73-60 to earn the title.
The Bulldogs led 15-10 after the first quarter and 28-24 at the half. The lead grew to 51-40 in the third quarter and Winslow continued to pull away in the final period.
Shirley led all scorers with 29 points for Winslow. Estelle with 16 points, Nez with 15 and Williams with 11 were all in double figures for the Bulldogs.
Chad Keith paced the Mustangs with 17 points. Preston Parrish with 13 points, Zack Keith with 12 and Shaquille Sherlock with 11 were all also in double figures for Monument Valley.
MV 10 14 16 20 60
Winslow 15 13 23 22 73
Monument Valley: Chad Keith 17, Jaron James 2, Preston Parrish 13, Zack Keith 12, Alan Todacheenie 3, Pierson Bronston 2 and Shaquille Sherlock 11.
Winslow: Tyler Williams 11, Kraig Shirley 29, Jevon Estelle 16, Brennan James 2 and, Tremayne Nez 15.
The win improved Winslow’s record to 26-6 for the season. The Bulldogs will host the Coolidge Bears on Friday, Feb. 18, in a first round game of the Arizona State 3A Conference Championship Tournament.
