Navajo Prep secures District 1-3A Title with gritty win over Tohatchi

By Truman Begaye
Special to the Times

FARMINGTON – In a hard-fought battle, the Navajo Prep Lady Eagles (22-5, 12-0 District 1-3A) pulled away late to defeat the Tohatchi Lady Cougars (18-10, 10-2) and claimed the District 1-3A Championship on Friday night in Farmington.

The matchup also marked the Eagles’ lowest-scoring game of the season. While they typically score 45 or more points, the Eagles secured the title with a 39-33 victory inside the Eagles Nest.

Navajo Prep leaned on its defense to pave the way to victory, a strategy that head coach Rainy Crisp emphasized.

“This was just a good defensive game. It’s what we focused on this week,” Crisp said. “I think we missed some layups and easy baskets, but our defense held us together and got us our win.”

The first quarter started with a measured pace, as the Eagles edged out a 9-6 lead. Senior guard Kassidy Jones led the charge with five points, while fellow senior guard Lailah McGary added four.

For the Cougars, senior guard Yaya Peterson led with four points, and junior forward Shylynn Johnson contributed a two-point field goal.

The Eagles maintained their three-point cushion heading into halftime, outscoring Tohatchi 8-5 in the second quarter for a 17-11 advantage. Sophomore Leilani Wood stepped up with five points, while Eva Poyer added a two-point basket and McGary chipped in a free throw.

On the other side, Johnson and senior guard WynterRose Sheka each scored two points, and Peterson added another free throw.

Navajo Prep extended its lead in the third quarter, outscoring Tohatchi 14-11 to take a 31-22 advantage. Junior Kameron Dale, senior Shiloh Conn and Wood combined for 12 points, while McGary added a two-point field goal.

Tohatchi countered with Sheka leading the way with five points, junior guard Hailey Graymountain knocking down a 3-pointer, Johnson scoring two, and Peterson making one of two free throws.

In the final quarter, Tohatchi found an offensive rhythm, outscoring Navajo Prep 11-8. Graymountain led the charge with four points from the free-throw line, going a perfect 4-for-4. Senior guard Jewelisa Jimmie, sophomore guard Kaylee Mitchell and Mitchell each added a field goal.

However, the Cougars’ rally fell short, as McGary led the Eagles with four points in the frame, while Kamyra Goldtooth and sophomore Nataya Serrano each added a field goal to help seal the victory.

Now crowned the district tournament champions, coach Crisp reflected on her team’s achievement.

“Our district is tough—it’s really tough,” Crisp said. “So, for us to pull this off and then beat a team three times, which is really tough, I’m really happy right now.”

Both teams advance to the 2025 Nusenda Credit Union Girls Basketball State Championships 3A tournament. As the No. 1 seed, Navajo Prep will host 16th-seeded St. Michael’s (10-18), while fifth-seeded Tohatchi will host 12th-seeded Cuba (15-13). Both games are set for Friday at 6 p.m.

---