Ganado girls still the team to beat

WINDOW ROCK

The top spot in the 3A girls’ basketball in the Arizona Interscholastic Association power point polls remained unchanged from last week.

With an 18-2 overall record and 6-0 in 3A North play the Ganado Lady Hornets are still the team to beat.

“In terms of being the No. 1 team in the state we really don’t feed into that or make it a big deal,” Ganado coach Mike Bitsuie said. “We focus more on getting better and improving our play every game. The success and being one of the best team is a credit to all the hard work our team and coaches have put in.”

Bitsuie said his team wants to be challenged and it’s his job to push them and motivate them every day. So far this season, Ganado has won seven games decided by six points or less and Bitsuie credits that to mental toughness and chemistry.

“The team and coaches are all in,” he said. “We believe in what we do and want the best for one another.”

In their recent outing on Jan. 6, the Hornets held Tuba City to a season-low 21 points. Bitsuie said he challenged his team to slow down the Lady Warriors’ two best offensive threats in Autumn Byjoe and Kourtney Posey.

“Our defensive effort was outstanding and for the most of the game we did that,” Bitsuie said as they held Posey to seven points and Byjoe to four.

“We take pride in playing defense and making each possession as tough as we can,” he added. “We contested the shots and made sure we boxed out and rebounded. Janaya McIntosh and Camille Uentillie played tough defense guarding the two Tuba players.”

Tuba City coach Kimberly Williams said they had one of their poorest shooting performances of the season as most of their shot attempts fell to the wayside.

“We didn’t shoot well in that game,” Williams said. “Credit Ganado, they were ready to play but we take responsibility for the lost.”

---