Scouts upend top-ranked Sand Devils 46-43

FORT DEFIANCE

Several conference losses have put the Window Rock Scouts in an early hole in the 3A North Region race.

Window Rock entered last Saturday’s showdown with conference leader Page with a 1-3 league record.

Things looked to be going nowhere for the Scouts but a 46-43 win over the Sand Devils has quickly gotten them back on track.

“We’re still in the process of building this team,” first-year Window Rock coach Tom Bizardi said following their upset win over the previously top-ranked team from Page High. “I’m glad that day by day and game-by-game we’re still adjusting to our system. I’ve been telling them that once our system becomes embedded from the very first player to the 13 guys on the bench it’s going to help us.”

With a top finish in league play in jeopardy, Bizardi said his team stayed consistent throughout the game by attacking the basket and playing tough defense.

With Window Rock packing its zone defense, the Sand Devils were held 18 points below their average.

“Our big men were getting help from the weak side,” Bizardi said. “We covered everything and that’s the thing I like about these boys – they’re constantly embracing everything that’s being taught to them.”

Offensively, the Scouts got a much-needed spark from senior guard Quincy Smith, who made his debut with his new team on Jan. 14 after transferring from Gallup High last semester.

Trailing 40-34 at the start of the fourth stanza, Smith nailed a pair of treys in succession and his driving lay-up gave Window Rock the lead for good at 42-40 with 4:43 left in the contest.

“He took over when he needed to,” Bizardi said of his pupil. “I’m glad that he’s meshing with the boys right now. He’s a good kid and he always has that positive vibe.

“That is what I like about Quincy,” the Window Rock coach added. “He brings that spirit to the environment and it showed.”

Smith, who finished with 14 points, said he found his rhythm but he didn’t want to take all the credit.

“It all comes down to my teammates,” he said. “We started to put things together. We made some crisp passes and we just did the little things right.”

After making his lay-up at the 4:43 mark, Smith did have to leave the game due to muscle cramps, an ailment he had suffered in a 58-57 setback to Monument Valley the previous night.

“It’s nothing serious,” he said.

With Smith out, the Scouts got an insurance basket from senior Derian Long for a 44-40 cushion.

Page pulled within a point on a trey from junior Robert Smith but that basket was the only shot they made the entire quarter.

For that quarter alone, the Sand Devils could not find the spacing they needed to put up a good shot. They were relegated to shooting from the outside as they missed seven long-range shots.

“My boys were moving their feet and we were giving them tough shots,” Bizardi said. “We were giving them lower percentage shots. I’m glad my boys stuck with it and they stayed disciplined.”

Page, which dropped to No. 2 in the latest Arizona Interscholastic Association statewide poll, was led by junior Stuart Sandall as the 6-9 post finished with 16 points. Senior Gabe Gomez chipped in 10 while Robert Smith added nine.

In addition to Quincy Smith, Window Rock also had senior wing Adrian Destea finish with 11 and sophomore Trajon Bizardi help out with nine.

“We’ve come a long way as a team,” Tom Bizardi said. “The boys are a lot closer and they’re supporting one another even though we do make mistakes sometimes.

“They are taking responsibilities for everything we do,” he added. “That’s the progression that we’re working towards.”

On Tuesday, both teams were in action with Page upended Tuba City by a 65-44 count while Window Rock took care of Ganado, winning 63-52.

The Sand Devils will play at Monument Valley today before they host Window Rock on Saturday in a rematch at Page High on Saturday.

The Scouts will play prior to that rematch, as they will host Chinle on Friday.

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