Freshman Curtis leads Tuba City to 3A North title over Window Rock

By Lee Begaye
Special to the Times

CHINLE — Layla Curtis saved her biggest performance for the biggest night.

The Tuba City freshman scored 23 points and led a balanced offensive effort as the Lady Warriors defeated the Window Rock Lady Scouts 63–40 to capture the 3A North Regional Tournament championship — the program’s first regional crown in nearly 25 years.

Curtis also earned Region Player of the Year honors while head coach Peterson Butler was named Coach of the Year following Tuba City’s title run.

Sophomore Nakota Tallman added 15 points, including nine in the opening quarter, and senior Audrey Begaye finished with nine. Nine different Lady Warriors scored in the victory. Window Rock relied heavily on freshman Tiana Edison, who poured in 22 points, while Kourtney Bitselley and Naomi James each added eight.

Tuba City opened aggressively, scoring the first six points of the game before Window Rock settled in. The Lady Scouts briefly grabbed momentum midway through the first quarter, turning offensive rebounds into a 11–9 lead, but Curtis answered with back-to-back baskets to spark a closing run and give Tuba City an 18–11 advantage after one. Tallman scored nine points in the quarter, while Edison countered with seven for Window Rock.

The second quarter slowed to a defensive grind. Both teams struggled to score early before Window Rock trimmed the deficit to 23–18 with two minutes remaining. Tuba City responded with a late basket to carry a 25–18 lead into halftime. Edison again led all scorers in the quarter with seven points, while Curtis added three as both teams scored just seven points in the period.

The Lady Warriors created separation in the third quarter. Leading 30–24 midway through the period, Tuba City erupted on a 7–0 run to stretch the margin to double digits. Window Rock answered briefly behind Naomi James, but transition baskets pushed the Warriors ahead 43–30 entering the fourth. Curtis then put the game out of reach, scoring five quick points to open the final quarter as Tuba City extended its lead to 48–30. Every Window Rock basket was matched by a fast-break answer, and the Warriors eventually built a 25 point advantage before closing out the 63–40 victory.

“We knew that Window Rock was going to play tough, and we just played to win the quarters,” Butler said. “One quarter at a time to outscore them. I also told the team to contribute and get us this championship — we can’t do it with just having Layla do everything. We needed everyone involved in all aspects of the game. I’m proud of how the whole team stepped up. Nearly everyone scored.”

On earning coach of the year honors, Butler credited the players.

“First of all, I was surprised, and I didn’t expect it,” he said. “All the credit goes to the team. The girls — I’m just a guide to get them to their goal. They are the ones that did all the work.”

He also noted Curtis’ approach entering the game.

“The two times we played Window Rock they did a decent job defending her, so she was determined to lead the team and was focused on winning this game,” Butler said. “In pregame she told her teammates she would get them involved and be looking to score.”

Window Rock coach Gabrielle Whitney said the loss will help the team heading into state.

“I’m not sure what happened in this game. We had a game plan, and it didn’t come together as we planned,” Whitney said. “But really having a game like this before the Copper Bracket helps us settle and prepare for that bracket.”

Whitney also praised her freshman guard.

“Tiana is a player that every coach wants,” she said. “She’s only a freshman and plays beyond her years.”

Tuba City entered the Copper State Championship as the No. 2 seed and the Warriors advanced with a 56-50 win over No. 15 seed Round Valley on Tuesday night. Tuba will host No. 7 St. Johns on Thursday as St. Johns defeated No. 10 Fountain Hills, 51-40.

Window Rock, the No. 6 seed, beat No. 11 Joseph City 68-56 as the Scouts travels to No. 3 Pima on Thursday night. Pima won its first-round playoff with a 58-43 triumph over No. 14 Alchesay.

Get instant access to this story by purchasing one of our many e-edition subscriptions HERE at our Navajo Times Store.

 

---