3A North Tournament of Champions

Posted by Oree Foster | Dec 31, 2014 | Basketball |

MVP’s Trelonnie Sanders hits game-winning three for Winslow

Winslow Bulldog Trelonnie Sanders (3) hit the game winning shot against the Tuba City Warriors during the 3A North Tournament of Champions title game in Fort Defiance. Winslow won the game, 55-54. (Times photo – Donovan Quintero)

FORT DEFIANCE

Winslow High School’s Trelonnie Sanders was the man of the hour as he helped lead the Bulldogs to a thrilling 55-54 victory over the Tuba City Warriors for the boy’s title in the 3A North Tournament of Champions at the Window Rock Fighting Scouts Event Center on Monday night.

“The win was a team effort,” said Winslow head coach Ricky Greer. “The guys worked hard throughout the game. We were sluggish at the beginning of the game. The guys scored crucial baskets to bring us back into the game. Trelonnie Sanders was overcoming injuries and he was the key to our win.”

With 43.8 seconds remaining in the game, Tuba City took a 54-52 lead as Uriah Yazzie canned a free throw.
After Winslow missed a basket, Tuba City milked the clock and Winslow’s pressure defense forced a turnover as Sanders saved the ball from going out of bounds.

Winslow called timeout to set up a play. With 17 seconds remaining, Sanders buried a three-pointer from the corner, giving the Bulldogs a 55-54 lead.

Tuba City called timeout. As play resumed, the Warriors worked the ball around before Winslow’s stingy defense forced a turnover with four seconds left in the game. Winslow ran the clock out.

For his outstanding performance throughout the tournament, Sanders was voted the tournament’s most valuable player.

“Trelonnie is well deserving of the honor,” Greer said. “He is our team leader. His leadership showed tonight.”