Chinle outpaces Window Rock, secures first conference win

By Truman Begaye
Special to the Times

FORT DEFIANCE – On Saturday, the Chinle Wildcats opened 3A North Region play with a 62-51 victory over the Window Rock Fighting Scouts, rebounding from their recent loss to Joseph City.

Meanwhile, the Scouts continued their struggles, extending their losing streak to four games. Their last win came on Dec. 16 against Miyamura, but they have since fallen to Valley Sanders, Tuba City, San Carlos, and now Chinle.

Junior forward Jaiden Lee led the Wildcats with 14 points, while fellow junior forward Aiden Kinlichee added 10.

Without their leading scorer, Jaylen Brown, the Scouts leaned heavily on junior guard Makye Gilbert, who delivered an impressive 20 points. Senior guard Jayden Lilly chipped in 11 points, and senior forward Isaac Hickson contributed 10 in the effort.

The first quarter was evenly matched, with Chinle holding a slim 13-12 edge. Kinlichee scored five of his team’s points, going two-for-two from the field and converting a free throw. Senior guard Kalem Denetsosie added four points, and Lee contributed another four, including two free throws.

Window Rock countered with six points from Gilbert, who hit two field goals and two free throws. Senior guard Nathan Miguel and Lilly each added three points, keeping the Scouts within striking distance.

Chinle gained momentum in the second quarter, with seven different players combining for 17 points. Contributions came from across the roster, which included points from Kinlichee, Lee, Denetsosie, sophomore guard Kaleb Guy, senior forward Caleb Davis, junior guard Ranen Parker, and senior guard Cleighton Bahe.

Window Rock struggled to keep pace, scoring 11 points in the quarter behind efforts from Gilbert, Hickson, and junior center Dominic Antonio.

At the half, Chinle held a 30-23 advantage.

The Wildcats extended their lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Scouts 18-13. Kinlichee opened the half with a quick basket, eventually scoring five points in the quarter. Chinle’s balanced attack saw contributions from Denetsosie, Lee, Parker, Bahe, senior forward Royston Tom, and sophomore forward Kollin Laughing.

Bahe’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer capped the quarter in dramatic fashion. Window Rock’s Antonio, sophomore center Jake Tso, and senior guard Xavier Young each scored two points, while Gilbert added back-to-back baskets. Hickson contributed a basket and a free throw, but the Scouts trailed 48-36 heading into the final period.

Window Rock mounted a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter, outscoring Chinle 16-13. Lilly led the charge with eight points, driving to the basket for four field goals. Gilbert and Hickson each added four points, with Gilbert hitting a 2-pointer and two free throws.

However, Chinle maintained their composure with Tom leading the Wildcats with five points in the quarter

Chinle head coach CJ Woods was pleased to start the 3A North with a ‘W’ as the Wildcats improved to 11-5 overall.

“It’s good to have a first win under our belt, and I think this year’s region is going to be a fun one,” Woods said. “I think we’re going to see some upsets, and we’re going to get some kids go off for a lot of points.”

With Window Rock rallying late in the game, the Chinle coach had reinsert his starters.

“They were pressuring us a little bit, and I thought it was a good opportunity for our starters to come off the bench and discuss their strategy to get the victory,” he said. “There are some things that we still got to work on.”

Window Rock head coach Ashley Mitchell reflected on her team’s resilience despite the loss as the Scouts dropped to 6-11 overall.

“We’re just trying to play hard defense. We just shot ourselves in the foot by not making layups and free throws,” Mitchell said. “But yeah, we finished hard until the end.”

She praised Gilbert’s leadership, especially with Brown being absent due to an injury.

“With Brown being out, he kind of took the role of being the main scorer and tried to lead the team in that sense because Brown makes 18 points per game,” she said, “so he tried to find ways to make those 18 points from somewhere else.”

Mitchell emphasized the importance of building the team culture, despite the losing streak.

“We need to regain track on our character and team unity,” the Window Rock coach said. “Right now, we’re still trying to establish and change our culture. That’s where most of our struggles come from. We’re not really worried about our skill set, just our change of culture in general.”

Chinle played Page on Tuesday night in another 3A North Region game. The Wildcats will finish out the week hosting Ganado tonight and Monument Valley on Saturday.

Window Rock heads to Page on Saturday for its lone game this week.

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