The Wildcats saw their 10-game, win streak snapped last week but started a new one in their final game of the week. With the initial power rankings released on Tuesday, the Cats find themselves ranked sixth overall in the 1A rankings.
Their 10th win was an 84-26 romp over visiting Mayer on Tuesday. Mayer’s Wildcats had no answer for Joseph City’s Wildcats in the first three quarters. Joseph City posted 51 points in the first half, then added another 25 in the third before cooling off with just 8 points in the final frame.
Eli James led 10 Wildcats in scoring with 24 points. Jaimen Tsosie added 12; Landon Miller, 9; Jaxon Arnell, 7; Heston Miller, 7; Cort Miller, 7; Coltran James, 6; Tatum Dixon, 6; Kregar Kinlicheenie, 3; and Anakin Hutchens added a single point.
Thursday’s game at Williams was a different story. The Wildcats had won their previous eight games by comfortable double-digit margins. Williams was 10-4 in regular season contests coming into this game.
The Vikings stopped the Cats win streak with a 62-48 outcome. Joseph City was led in scoring by Tsosie’s 13-point effort. Eli James added 12; Landon Miller, 6; Arnell, 6; Heston Miller, 6; Kase Fish, 3; and Trenton Deets finished with 2. The Cats had a tough shooting night making just 24% of their field goals.
With that loss behind them, they quickly got back to their winning ways the following night with a 69-54 triumph over Seligman. Playing at home, Joseph City struggled early and trailed 26-23 at the half. They battled back tying the game at 39-39 going into the final quarter. In the fourth, their offense came to life. Joseph City poured in 30 points in the final eight minutes to win the game.
Eli James led three players in double figures with 19 points. He also pulled down 13 rebounds. Landon Miller added 18, and Tsosie finished with 16. Cort Miller added 8; Arnell, 4; Deets, 2; and Coltran helped with 2. Heston Miller was strong on the boards as well with 10 rebounds.
The Wildcats enter this week with an overall record of 16-5. This week they once again have a three-game slate with all three games on the road. Tuesday will be a trip to face 15th-ranked Mogollon. Thursday’s game will be in Flagstaff where they meet up with 14th-ranked Basis Flagstaff. Friday will be a trip to face Grand Canyon who is ranked 34th with just one regular season win.
