The Wildcats got off to a hot start at their season-opening tournament held in Tucson prior to Thanksgiving. Joseph City won their first three tournament games before taking a loss in the last game of the three-day tournament.
They opened on Monday with an 8-point win over Willcox. The Cats used a solid first quarter and a good fourth quarter to pull out the 45-37 win. Landon Miller led in scoring, with 13 points. Cort Miller added 7; Eli James, 6; Jan Armengol, 6; Jared Layden, 5; Brent Bush, 5; Cole Moss, 2; and Heston Miller helped with a single point.
Tuesday morning the Cats cruised past Catalina by a final of 60-33. Joseph City piled up 25 first-quarter points, getting the upper hand over the Trojans early. They led 41 to 16 at the break before playing basically even in the second half.
Layden led in scoring with 16. Jaimen Tsosie added 11; Cort Miller, 8; James, 7; Landon Miller, 7; Moss, 4; Bush, 3; and Armengol helped with 2.
Later Tuesday, the Cats took care of Patagonia by a final of 57-35. Another strong first period led to a double-digit lead they never relinquished.
James led with 12. Layden added 10; Cort Miller, 9; Landon Miller, 8; Armengol, 6; Bush, 6; Kaysen Miller, 3; and Tsosie also netted 3 in the win.
While they rolled through their first three games, Wednesday morning’s outcome vs Empire was a different story. The 3A Ravens outscored the Wildcats 21-9 in each of the first two quarters to lead 42-18 at the half. Their defense really shut down the Wildcats in the second half, holding them to just four total points in a 72-22 Joseph City loss.
Only four players scored for the Wildcats. James had 8, Landon Miller, 7; Layden, 5; and Cort Miller finished with 2.
Joseph City will take their 3-1 record into regular season action with three games this week. After playing at Ash Fork on Monday, they will host Valley Sanders on Thursday, and Lincoln Prep on Saturday.
