Joseph City is in the 1A State Tournament bracket as the overall No. 10 seed. They will travel to Fort Thomas on Wednesday this week to face the seventh-seeded Apaches. These two teams played just over a week ago during the regular season in Fort Thomas where the Wildcats fell 60-68. If Joseph City can avenge that loss, they will face the winner of No. 2 St. David and No. 15 Desert Heights Prep Academy at the site of the higher-seeded team, most likely St. David.
Joseph City’s final regular season game came last Monday where they defeated visiting Williams 56-50. The Wildcats built a big lead in the first period and hung on down the stretch to get the win. Bannon Johnstun drained 21 points and Jareon Miller added 12.
Joseph City opened play in the Super Regional Tournament on Thursday with a 58-51 win over Mogollon. The Mustangs led by seven after one, but Joseph City took over the lead by the half and outscored the Mustangs in the second half to get the seven-point win. Johnstun had a big night dropping 26 points and Eli James added 8.
The Cats took care of Lincoln Prep in the next round by a final of 56-38. Brent Bush led with 14, followed by Johnstun with 12, and James netted 10.
The Wildcat’s final regional tournament game was a 52-45 loss to Hayden on Friday. The game was close through three quarters but Hayden outscored the Cats 18-7 in the fourth to secure the win. Johnstun completed a solid regional tournament with an 18-point performance.
Joseph City enters the 1A state tournament with an 18-11 overall record. North Valley Christian, St. David, Baboquivari and El Capitan are the top four seeds in the state tournament.
