The Wildcats completed a successful three-game home stand last week picking up victories over Ash Fork/Seligman, Valley Sanders and Grand Canyon in a four-day stretch.
On Tuesday, the Wildcats had little problems with the Spartans from Ash Fork, handing them a 63-30 defeat.
Thursday’s game with Valley Sanders was a different story. The Pirates jumped out to an eight-point lead after the first period, and still managed a 37-30 lead at the half. In the third, Joseph City trimmed all but two points off that lead, then in the fourth the Wildcats outscored the Pirates by five to secure the 74-71 win.
In a game with three players scoring over 20 points the Wildcats were owners of two of those three. Seth Hutchens led all scorers with 29 points. He made five of his seven three-point shots and went eight for eight at the free-throw line. Jay Edwards was right behind with 28 points. Latrell Kinlicheenie added 12 and pulled down 14 boards. Colter Westover scored 4, and Ricky Hulsey helped with a single point. Valley was led by Demetrius Begaye’s 22-point effort.
Friday night the Wildcats had a much easier time, although they still put up over 70 points in a 71-46 win over Grand Canyon. Joseph City led by 10 after one, and by twenty at the half. They controlled the second half as well in the big win.
Once again Hutchens and Edwards paced the team. Hutchens finished with 23 and Edwards added 22 with 10 rebounds.
With the three wins the Wildcats improved their regular season record to 4-0. Overall they are a very impressive 11-1 heading into this week’s action. After playing at Basis Flagstaff on Tuesday, the Cats will host St. Johns on Thursday in what will be their final game prior to the Holiday break. They will return to the hardwood on Jan. 7 with a game at rival Mogollon.
