The Winslow Bulldogs played well in the Nackard Invitational Tournament in Flagstaff and defeated the Coconino Panthers 63-61 in the championship game on Dec. 14.
In the championship game won by the Bulldogs, Winslow led 15-13 after the first quarter but trailed 28-26 at the half and 45-37 going into the final period. They rallied to win the game in the closing seconds. Zachary Wagner led the Bulldogs with 24 points and Tyrell Young was in double figures with 17 points. Coconino had two players in double figures as Preston Olney had 17 points and Jacob Begay scored 15 points.
The Bulldogs defeated the Basis Yeti, 47-33 and also defeated the Greyhills Academy Fighting Knights, 74-19 on Thursday, December 12. On Friday, Dec. 13, the Bulldogs avenged their loss to Lee Williams with a 63-48 win over the Volunteers who had beaten them in the tournament at Sedona, but lost to the Coconino Panthers 59-45. On Saturday the Bulldogs defeated the Green Valley Gators 66-54 before beating Coconino whom they had lost to earlier in the tournament 63-61.
In their 47-33 win over Basis, there was little information available except for the final score and the fact that Wagner led Winslow with 10 points and Marcus Dufek led Basis with 11.
In their 74-19 win over Greyhills, the Bulldogs led 24-8 after the first quarter, 44-10 at the half and 41-17 after three periods. Noah Brown led the Bulldogs with 13 points. Kanon Boloz was also in double figures with 12 points.
In their 63-48 win over Lee Williams, Winslow had three players in double figures led by Wagner with 24. Dustin Richard had 14 points and Boloz had 12 points.
In the 59-45 loss to Coconino, the Bulldogs led 15-13 after the first quarter but trailed 28-26 at the half. The Panthers had built a 45-37 advantage going into the final period and continued to walk off with the victory. Preston Olney led Coconino in scoring with 19 points. Jacob Begay with 15 points and Avram Tijerin with 11 points were also in double figures. Wagner led Winslow with 18 points and Richard had 10 points.
In their 63-54 win over Green Valley, Wagner led the Bulldogs with 18 points and Young was in double figures with 17 points. Kaden Jackson and Tom Stanley each scored 10 points for Green Valley.
The Bulldogs had a 9-4 record going into their game on Dec. 18 at Tuba City.
