The initial power rankings came out on Wednesday last week and the Wildcats found themselves sitting in the 12th position. While it is very early to look at the rankings, the Cats certainly didn’t hurt their position this week by earning two wins.
Joseph City returned from the holiday break with a thrilling one-point win over Basis Flagstaff on Tuesday evening. Hosting the Yeti, the Cats played well in the first half building a 24-11 halftime lead. In the third, Basis cut all but three points off that advantage. Joseph City went cold from the field netting just nine in the quarter. They shot better in the fourth but so did Basis who pulled close before the Wildcats held on for the 50-49 win over the 15th ranked Yeti.
Jareon Miller led the Cats in scoring with 16 points, with 12 of those coming on four treys. Karter Lampsa added 11; Bannon Johnstun and Blake Palmer each had 6; Bridger Fields, 5; John Weightman, 3; Cole Moss, 2; and Tyler Penrod helped with a single point.
After surviving a close home court game, they hit the road on Saturday with a much more comfortable result. Facing the Phantoms in Grand Canyon the Wildcats dominated in an 88-42 final outcome. Joseph City got off the bus warmed up, netting 20 points in the first frame. The third period was even better than that with the Wildcats pouring in 36 points over the eight-minute stretch.
Lampsa netted 27, Johnstun, 15; Miller, 13; Penrod, 11; Bryce Bushman, 6; Zane Johnson, Blake Palmer and Fields each had 4; and John Weightman hit for three.
With the two wins, Joseph City improved to 12-7 overall and 5-3 in ranked games.
Three games are tap for this week with all three on the road. After facing Mogollon on Tuesday in Heber, they will travel to Mayer the next day. On Saturday they head to the Valley to face North Valley Christian. Next Tuesday they have another long trip as they head to Seligman to take on the Antelopes.
