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injury-prevention outreach coordinator for Flagstaff Medical Center Trauma Services (second from the right end)
donates 10 new bleeding control stations from Northern Arizona Healthcare to the Tuba City Unified School District
The new stations were made possible by a $7,500 donation from NAH’s Office of Philanthropy
Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) announced recently that it donated 10 bleeding control stations to the Tuba City Unified School District (TCUSD)
The stations will be available at school sites to help save lives and stop life-threatening bleeding during an emergency
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This week's Flagstaff History column. Read moreFlagstaff History: Movies and little theatres dominated the news
May 3 Read moreFlagstaff Event Almanac for May 3
BEACON UU SUNDAY SERVICE: “The Search for Truth: Academic Freedom and Diversity Education” May 4 — Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 510 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff. (928) 779-4492. 10-… Read moreFlagstaff Religion News for May 3, 2025
View FUSD bus article HERE | View Mexican gray wolf article HERE | View CCEM article HERE Read moreThe Arizona Daily Sun 3@3 report for Friday, May 2
The government intended to kill an uncollared wolf but instead killed a collared female wolf, who may have been pregnant. Read moreFeds 'mistakenly' kill female Mexican gray wolf in Arizona
FUSD hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for two new electric buses as part of Bus Driver Appreciation Day Tuesday. Read moreFUSD adds 2 electric buses to its fleet as driver staffing shortage continues
Creative Flagstaff is pleased to announce the appointment of Julie Comnick as executive director following her successful tenure as interim executive director. Read moreCreative Flagstaff names Julie Comnick as executive director
May 1 Read moreFlagstaff Event Almanac for May 1
A look at how local varsity teams have fared recently. Read moreLOCAL ROUNDUP: Flagstaff beach volleyball falls in D-II State Championship semifinals
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How to watch Arizona high school girls basketball: Page vs
21Data SkrivePage High School will host Tuba City High School on Friday
How to watch Tuba City vs. Page playoff high school girls basketballPage and Tuba City will match up on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. AZT. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network
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Follow your favorite team and never miss a game
Watch Page vs. Tuba City on NFHS!
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Special to the Times | Truman BegayeTuba City sophomore Trece Tsingine pulls up for a jump shot attempt during Tuba City’s 48-39 win over No
1 Chinle Lady Wildcats in the quarter finals of the AIA Copper State Championship held at the Wildcat Den on Thursday night
CHINLE – The Tuba City Lady Warriors turned the tables on top-ranked Chinle
delivering a stunning 48-39 upset at the Wildcat Den on Thursday night
After falling to Chinle in the 3A regional championship
Tuba City capitalized on sharp shooting and a quiet night from Lady Wildcats’ star Dizhoon White
Senior guard Eriana Begay led the Lady Warriors with 13 points
senior forward Qoah Yazzie poured in 19 points
with senior guards Jayden Lynch and Noelle Walker chipping in six each
The game opened with both teams exchanging baskets
Tuba City found its rhythm late in the first quarter
rattling off a 7-0 run to take an 11-6 lead
The Lady Warriors spread the scoring effort across five players
while Chinle leaned on Qoah Yazzie’s four points and a bucket from senior guard Alyssa Williams
Special to the Times | Lee BegayeChinle senior guard Alyssa Williams (20) squares up for a field goal attempt during the quarterfinals of the AIA Copper State Championship held at the Wildcat Den on Thursday night
Chinle opened the second quarter with back-to-back baskets
The break did little to halt Tuba City’s momentum
Tsingine led Tuba City with five points in the quarter
junior forward Desiree Yazzie provided four points
while Lynch and Qoah Yazzie each added a basket
The second half began with White still on the bench
and the Lady Warriors seized the opportunity
Tuba City outscored Chinle 21-8 in the third quarter
Chinle struggled to find an offensive spark
mustering just four baskets from four different players
the Lady Wildcats made a furious rally in the final quarter
3A North Player of the Year Qoah Yazzie spearheaded the effort with 11 points
and Caitlyn Yazzie added to the scoring column
the Lady Warriors had built enough of a cushion to cruise to victory
Senior forward Chloe Begay and Eriana Begay added a basket each
while Nez sank a free throw to seal the final score at 48-39
Tuba City’s head coach Michael Balcerek praised his team’s execution and defensive effort
“We knew they were undefeated coming in
and grabbed every rebound,” Balcerek said
“Chinle had beaten us a few times this year
so it feels good to finally get this win and move forward.”
he offered a candid response: “I may be new to the AIA
but I’m not new to people trying to make money
We’re not here to lose for the sake of losing
As for whether the team’s performance against Ganado helped fuel this win
Everything they’ve done this year is exactly what they should be doing—winning and playing basketball the right way,” Balcerek said
we can finish this bracket the way we want to: as champions.”
The loss knocks Chinle out of the Copper Bracket championship
They received a first-round bye and will face the winner of No
Tuba City advances to the Copper Bracket semifinals
where they will face Page at the Nash Center at Monument Valley High School in Kayenta on the same day
More weather »
Tuba City: US 160 at SR-264
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Change Labs offers workshops throughout the year to help Indigenous entrepreneurs on the Navajo Nation realize their business ownership dreams
What started in 2013 as a once-a-year event to help Native American small business owners has grown into a launchpad for Navajo entrepreneurs
the nonprofit Change Labs offers a modern workspace
coaching and financing for Native entrepreneurs with a business idea
The program allows them to set up and grow their companies and in turn help their communities
Heather Fleming, co-founder and executive director of Change Labs
had a 20-year career as a product design consultant in Silicon Valley
She eventually started her own business in San Francisco
where she worked in the international development community with social entrepreneurs
Through a mutual friend she met Jessica Stago
who at the time was trying to develop an incubator for Navajo businesses
conceived of Change Labs as an event for Native entrepreneurs
“Our first event was in Shiprock in 2013 at the Diné College Library
but we had sold out our tiny little auditorium that holds about 80 people,” Fleming said
“It was good for us to see there were enough people interested in building a business community and saw the potential role entrepreneurs play in our own Native economies.”
Fleming and Stago hosted events like the first one in Shiprock
before realizing that their target market needed more help than once a year
said joining Change Labs’ Kinship Lending Program allowed him to buy an espresso machine
roaster and other equipment for his business
“There is a need for a presence in our communities 365 days out of the year where people can access these conversations
When it came to developing brick-and-mortar infrastructure for Change Labs
Fleming and her colleagues decided to settle in Tuba City
the most populous community on the Navajo Nation
Although the plan took two years longer than they anticipated due to factors like cost increases during COVID-19
the organization has settled into a 1,400-square-foot work and event hub
The Tuba City “E-ship” offers work space where business owners can connect to Wi-Fi
Cricut machine and other tools to develop a marketing plan
Entrepreneurs also can book coaching appointments with the Change Lab team
69 owners have graduated from its business incubator and 961 entrepreneurs have visited the E-ship hub
Nearly 300 people attended coaching sessions and 470 participated in workshops in 2024
Change Lab has funded 76 businesses and offered $441,444 in business loans
Native entrepreneurs like Daniel Tullie and Vanessa Tullie say they are grateful to have completed the business incubator program at Change Labs
Each of the siblings own their own business
Daniel Tullie owns Jinjeeh Coffee and said he fell in love with coffee more than 10 years ago when he worked at Cartel Roasting in Phoenix
running coffee pop-ups exclusively on the reservation
His relationship with Change Labs started when he worked as a designer for the organization
but he didn’t get involved as a business owner until later
approached him at a flea market in Tuba City
“The way I got involved with Change Labs was being a designer and not really keeping up with what they did,” he said
it’s really cool to see two different sides of the way they run things.”
he joined the Kinship Lending Program which focuses on building good financial foundations
attributes much of her business success to Change Labs’ guidance
Tullie credits Change Labs for giving him the tools to build a business plan now and into the future
“You get what you put into the program,” he said
“You can just go through the motions of being a participant
but the only way you are going to succeed is if you really put the time into doing what they ask you to.”
also attributes much of her success to Change Labs
Owning and operating a home care business for the past six years without a college degree
she recognized there were business steps she was not aware of and was uncertain how to expand her company
It was really great to have access to folks that specialize in these fields and professionals that know and have worked with other businesses and entrepreneurs,” she said
All the funders that help with programs like Change Labs
her company has won the Phoenix Indian Center’s Business of the Year for the American Indian Excellence in Leadership Award in 2024
Change Labs receives funding from a variety of places
including Wells Fargo Bank’s Invest Native Initiative
the National Community Reinvestment Coalition
Native Voices Rising and the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco
Anna Ehrick expects to graduate in spring 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication
Ehrick has interned at AZ Big Media as a reporter
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How to watch Arizona high school girls basketball: Chinle vs
13Data SkriveChinle High School will host Tuba City High School on Thursday
How to watch Tuba City vs. Chinle playoff high school girls basketballChinle and Tuba City will take the court on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. AZT. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network
Watch Chinle vs. Tuba City on NFHS!
Navajo Times | Quentin JodieTuba City Lady Warrior Thalia Clitso (right) goes up for shot while being defended by Holbrook’s Alayna Yazzie on Saturday
– The Tuba City girls basketball team has entered a new era under first-year coach Michael Balcerek
Balcerek replaced longtime coach Kim Williams
who guided the Lady Warriors to a state runner-up finish in 2015
I got a very good group of girls,” Balcerek said
“They’ve been playing for a while with the previous program under Kim Williams
all these girls are really fundamentally sound.”
Tuba City trailed 45-41 with 5:05 left against the Holbrook Lady Roadrunners
turned the tide as they closed out the game on a 13-0 run to post a 54-45 win on Saturday afternoon
“They played exactly how they were supposed to
We didn’t do anything different that we didn’t practice
and they did everything that I could ask for them
“We kind of hit a wall shooting-wise,” Perkins said
and Tuba did what we knew they were going to do
“We knew we had to get back on defense and we didn’t,” the Holbrook coach added
Tuba City junior forward Aubrey Begaye scored five of her game-best 22 points in that 13-0 rally as the Warriors outscored Holbrook 17-5 in the last stanza
“I think what really helped is coach wants us to be in basketball shape,” Begaye said
we kind of knew that we could pull through because we had the will to keep going.”
Tuba City guard Eriana Begay also praised the team’s endurance for outlasting Holbrook
our coach really just lifted us up,” Begay said
he reminded us that our conditioning is going to pay off in this quarter
“We used our conditioning to gain our confidence in the fourth quarter
and we use that as that as our advantage.”
The Warriors also received 15 points from Justice Nez with the junior scoring more than half of those points in the second period
Nez scored six straight as Tuba City erased a five-point deficit and trailed 28-27 at the break
“Both girls are phenomenal players and they’re in shape
They know how to play the game of basketball the right way,” Balcerek said of Begaye and Nez
And one thing that’s great about them is that they’re both juniors
so they’re going to grow into seniors next year.”
Tuba City is entered in the Black Friday Girls Basketball Classic in the Valley on Friday and Saturday
The Warriors opened up the 35-team invite with 2A Miami at 2 p.m
“That’ll be our first tournament this year,” Balcerek said
the competition is going to different from the region up here and all the northern teams
We’re looking forward to going down there and showing them what these girls are capable of.”
senior Deya Guerro and freshman Channing Harrington shared the top scoring honors with 13 points each
Holbrook defeated Window Rock 62-31 the day before as the Roadrunners fell to 1-1 overall
“We played really hard (on Friday) night,” Perkins said
“Window Rock was the state runner-up team last year
I was more worried about last night because we haven’t played Window Rock in three years
and we played with a ton of energy,” he added
the fans were good both ways and we played really hard.”
With three returning seniors that saw plenty of playing times
Holbrook is looking to return to how they used to play
which is playing man-to-man defense and shooting from the three-point range
“We’re going back to the style of playing full-court defense,” Perkins said
we couldn’t really do that because (Tuba City) was shooting a lot of layups off of us
we picked up full court man from the start and we got a good jump on (Window Rock),” he added
Perkins says his team is well-equipped to knock down those shots
so it kind of changes the style back to what we used to do as far as transition,” the Holbrook coach said
“But it’s one of those things where they say
Special to the Times | Donovan QuinteroRapper Ice Cube thanks the crowd at the Tuba City Amphitheater during the 54th Annual Western Navajo Fair on Sunday night
the Tuba City Amphitheater buzzed with excitement as fans eagerly awaited the arrival of legendary rapper Ice Cube
The anticipation reached a fever pitch as the sold-out crowd
packed the 5,200-person capacity venue to celebrate not only his music but also the spirit of the Western Navajo Fair
Special to the Times | Donovan QuinteroFive thousand people attend the Ice Cube concert at the Tuba City Amphitheater during the 54th Annual Western Navajo Fair on Sunday night
Five thousand Ice Cube concert tickets were sold
General tickets were $30 each ($15 for entry and $15 for concert)
VIP tickets were $280 (120 tickets were sold)
which was our biggest concert,” said Chantel Yazzie
The Ice Cube concert tickets were limited this year because the amphitheater was over capacity during the 53rd Western Navajo Fair’s Bone Thugs-N-Harmony concert
“I think this is the highest traffic we’ve had in regard to people purchasing tickets,” she said
the energy in the amphitheater was palpable
With four decades of musical prowess behind him
Ice Cube opened the show with one of his most iconic tracks
“It Was a Good Day.” The familiar beats reverberated through the air
instantly transporting the audience back to the golden era of hip-hop and rap
filling the night with a nostalgic chorus that highlighted the profound impact of his work
The connection between artist and audience was electric
as fans sang along to classics like “You Can Do It,” “Check Yo Self,” and “Ain’t Got No Haters.” From the front row to the back
the amphitheater transformed into a sea of swaying bodies
all celebrating the power of music and community
who has carved out a multifaceted career as an actor
reflected on his journey during the performance
Special to the Times | Donovan QuinteroConfetti falls amid special effect smoke after the Ice Cube concert at the Tuba City Amphitheater during the 54th Western Navajo Fair on Sunday night
“I’ve been doing this for 40 years,” he remarked
And for anybody that thinks I can’t still get on the mic and do what you like
You better check yourself before you wreck yo’ self.”
the evening was etched in memory—a testament to the lasting influence of Ice Cube and the rich tapestry of music that continues to connect people across different backgrounds
Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) has provided a boost to emergency preparedness in the Tuba City Unified School District (TCUSD) with the donation of 10 Bleeding Control Stations
The stations are made possible through a $7,500 gift from NAH’s Office of Philanthropy
These vital emergency stations are now being delivered and installed at all six TCUSD schools
with completion expected within the next couple of weeks
Designed to save lives in critical situations
the stations will allow staff and bystanders to respond quickly and effectively to life-threatening bleeding incidents
Each station is a red nylon bag housed inside a clear
Every kit includes a combat application tourniquet
a permanent marker for tracking tourniquet time
and a collapsible litter for transporting patients
the bag can be quickly removed and carried to the scene
“We hope their presence brings peace of mind to families across Tuba City,” said Larry Kushner
“These Bleeding Control Station donations represent a meaningful commitment to keeping our community’s students safe
Having these kits on hand during a traumatic event can save lives
especially when people have been trained to use them properly.” NAH operates the only state-designated Level I Trauma Center in northern Arizona at Flagstaff Medical Center
Its trauma team leads multiple injury prevention initiatives throughout the region
including the national Stop the Bleed program
The Stop the Bleed initiative is led locally by Shawn Bowker
NAH’s injury prevention outreach coordinator
who has been teaching the life-saving course since 2018
The NAH team has already donated a training kit to TCUSD and conducted three training sessions with school staff to ensure they’re prepared to use the stations if needed
“The minutes following a traumatic injury are absolutely critical,” Bowker emphasized
“A person can die from uncontrolled bleeding before emergency responders even arrive
These kits give everyday people the tools they need to act fast and potentially save a life.”
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the support
“We are incredibly grateful to NAH for their generosity and leadership in safety preparedness
These stations will strengthen our ability to respond in an emergency and help us protect our students and staff.”
To learn more about the Stop the Bleed program or to attend a training, visit www.nahealth.com
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15Data SkriveTuba City High School will host Chinle High School on Wednesday
How to watch Chinle vs. Tuba City high school girls basketballChinle and Tuba City will face off on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. AZT. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network
Watch Tuba City vs. Chinle on NFHS!
Watch Chinle High School all season long on NFHS!
Team schedules reflect available data from NFHS and may not include every upcoming game
Red Media Parents and community members rally outside the Tuba City Police District to demand accountability and action for student safety following an incident of sexual misconduct by a sixth-grade teacher at Tuba City Boarding School
shared the frustration of many in the community
and gather proof themselves to be taken seriously,” Chino said
described the deep sense of betrayal felt by families
and abandoned by the adults who were supposed to protect them
and the school’s inaction is unforgivable,” she said
The Navajo Nation Council has taken a leading role in responding to the community’s concerns
known for her advocacy against sexual assault and abusive crime
has emphasized the need for enhanced coordination
“We were there at the rally to support the community,” Crotty said
30 gathering at the Tuba City Police Department
the parents reached out to us directly for help
We’re working to ensure families are supported while addressing systemic gaps that have allowed incidents like this to occur.”
Crotty highlighted the steps the Council can take to address the crisis:
Coordination with law enforcement and prosecutors: “We need to examine why the teacher was released after their arrest and whether laws need to be strengthened to protect children in these cases,” Crotty said
BIE communication: Crotty emphasized the importance of the BIE providing timely information to parents and coordinating with the community
Victim advocacy: Crotty noted that affected students need to have adequate opportunities to report their experiences or access victim support services
“We want to ensure students and their parents know their rights under the Navajo Nation Victim Rights Act and have the resources to disclose incidents safely,” she said
A joint session of the Law and Order Committee and the Health
and Human Services Committee was called to review the school’s handling of this and other incidents
The committees plan to investigate suspected child abuse and neglect reports and propose measures to close gaps in student safety
Crotty also suggested developing better public accountability measures
Such as systems for when someone is arrested
something that Tuba City Police don’t offer at this time
Community members have rallied around the principles of the Every Child Matters movement
which advocates for systemic reforms to protect children
Parents are calling for the BIE to investigate the school thoroughly
ensure accountability for school officials who ignored past warnings
and provide mental health resources for students and families affected by the trauma
The BIE released a statement underscoring its commitment to student safety:
“The well-being of our students is our highest priority
and we are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment at BIE schools
Any allegation of inappropriate behavior will be thoroughly investigated to ensure that our community can have complete confidence in the professionals we entrust with student care
and appropriate law enforcement agencies will continue to work together to take all necessary actions to protect and support students.”
One person was killed and another was injured after a pair of shootings in Tuba City Sunday night
Navajo Police say a “non-Native” male was shot in the head in the parking lot of the AutoZone at around 8:18 p.m
a man was shot outside a Tuba City residence
the suspect vehicle was found and a suspect was arrested
The individual detained is the suspect in both shooting incidents
One man was pronounced dead at the AutoZone
while the second victim was airlifted to Flagstaff Medical Center for treatment
Navajo Police say there was only one person related to the shooting that has been arrested and the community is considered safe from this incident
Statement from Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren:
I learned of the tragic events that unfolded in Tuba City
My heart is heavy as I send prayers to the family of the individual who lost their life and to the entire community of Tuba City
Our prayers also go out to the second person who was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center
I am grateful for the swift response of our first responders and law enforcement
who acted quickly to ensure the safety of others
I encourage you to reach out to those who may be hurting and offer comfort
Let us hold the families of the victims in our prayers
Special to the Times | Lee BegayeHolbrook sophomore running back Manny Rico (red jersey) lunges forward for a few yards during the Roadrunners 31-20 win over Tuba City on Friday night in Holbrook
– The 2A Little Colorado Region found its champion as Holbrook claimed the title for the fourth consecutive year
snapping a six-game winning streak by Tuba City
Though the final score favored the Roadrunners
Tuba City made Holbrook fight until the end before the region champs sealed a 31-20 win with a late fourth-quarter touchdown
Both squads opened the game by playing stellar defense
With just under 11 minutes left in the first
Tuba City senior defensive back Darian Begaye recovered a Holbrook fumble at the Warriors’ own 40-yard line
forcing Tuba City to turn it over on downs
Tuba City’s special teams delivered a big play
blocking a Holbrook kick and setting up their offense on the Roadrunners’ 22-yard line
Tuba City marched down to the 4-yard line before fumbling
with Holbrook senior linebacker Christian Lerma recovering the ball deep in their own territory
as they pinned Holbrook junior quarterback Darren Justman in the end zone
Tuba City junior linebacker Logan Shorty and sophomore defensive lineman Bradley Tallsalt were credited for tackling Justman for a safety
The Warriors held onto that 2-0 lead just as the first quarter closed
Tuba City’s offense struck first with junior quarterback Kollin Posey connecting with senior wide receiver Deiondre Whiterock for a 5-yard touchdown
A failed two-point conversion left the score at 8-0
Holbrook responded quickly when junior running back Matthias Montijo punched in a 6-yard rushing touchdown
bringing the home team within 8-6 after the failed two-point conversion
Holbrook’s junior strong safety Daniel John intercepted a pass
finding junior wide receiver Simeon Shaw for a 6-yard touchdown pass
sending Holbrook into halftime with a slim 12-8 lead
The Roadrunners built on that momentum in the third quarter
Montijo added his second rushing touchdown of the night
countered with a 3-yard rushing touchdown from sophomore fullback Angel Whiterock
narrowing the gap to 19-14 after another missed conversion
But Holbrook delivered a highlight play just before the third quarter closed when Justman launched a 50-yard pass down the right sideline
threading it over two defenders to senior wide receiver Chance Sahmie
The Warriors recovered a Holbrook fumble on the Roadrunner’s 36-yard line
they scored with Whiterock scoring from the 1-yard line
Justman delivered a crucial 15-yard touchdown pass to John
who ran between two defenders and secured the pass as he crossed into the end zone
extending the lead to 31-20 and putting the game out of reach
“Our quarterback had a great read because the middle was open,” John said of the game’s final touchdown
but I needed to score because you could feel the momentum (was on the Warriors side)
Holbrook capped the regular season on a seven-game winning streak
which includes a pair of clutch wins over Piñon (26-24) and Tuba City
we played some of the best Holbrook football I’ve ever coached,” Roadrunner coach Paul Agramont said
I’ve never seen a team so flat getting off the bus (in Winslow)
Tuba City head coach Kalani Simeona felt that they had some prime opportunities to pull out the win
“I don’t think we played to our potential,” Simeona said
“They saw a weakness in our defense and took advantage of it
Holbrook (8-2) now looks to the Arizona Interscholastic Association 2A state playoffs
The Roadrunners will have the tall task of facing top-seeded San Tan Charter in Gilbert
“We need everyone practicing together and doing the little things perfectly,” Agramont said of preparing for San Tan Charter
and that’s something we can’t afford against the No
2/26 The Navajo Police Department in Tuba City is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Tuesday afternoon at Old Mutual Help Housing-39
fled the area on foot and as of last night had not been located
The murder was witnessed by a 28-year-old bystander
The suspect should be considered armed and dangerous
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Navajo Police are searching for a man who was involved in a shooting incident Tuesday afternoon in Tuba City
Officials say the shooting took place at Old Mutual Help Housing 39 at around 3:12 p.m
accompanied by his purported 16-year-old female companion left the area on foot
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene
The girl has been identified as the victim’s daughter
They were seen heading south toward Tuuvi
Police say there’s a chance the suspect maybe at his mother’s residence in Moencopi
Schools in Tuba City and Moencopi were canceled Wednesday due to the incident and ongoing search
There are no descriptions of the suspect or the teen
If anyone has information about the whereabouts of the suspect
presiding judge of the Coconino County Superior Court
conducts a court hearing during the "Justice Bus" event in Tuba City on March 21
Coconino County Superior Court Presiding Judge Ted Reed (in robes)
County Supervisor Lena Fowler (in purple) and county staff pose for a photo in the courtroom of the Navajo Nation Judicial District in Tuba City
The county's "Justice Bus" event brought court hearings and other county services to Tuba City on March 21
A Coconino County official vehicle sits in front of the Navajo Nation Judicial District building in Tuba City on Friday
The county's "Justice Bus" event brought Superior Court hearings and other services to Tuba City
provides services to residents of the Tuba City area during the "Justice Bus" event on Friday
Wyatt assisted at least three people with name change requests that day
The court’s temporary relocation was one component of Coconino County’s “Justice Bus” initiative
TUBA CITY -- The presiding judge of the Coconino County Superior Court donned his judicial robes in an unfamiliar courtroom as a busy day in March was starting
Calling the courtroom to order from behind a laptop
Judge Ted Reed began the first-ever day of Superior Court hearings held in Tuba City
The court’s temporary relocation on Friday
was one component of Coconino County’s “Justice Bus” initiative
which aims to improve access to justice by bringing court hearings and related county services closer to residents outside the county seat of Flagstaff
8 candidates announced for Coconino County Superior Court opening | Page A10
Meet Shallot, a stunning one-eyed sweetheart with a story to tell! Originally adopted from us as a kitten in 2019, Shallot was recently found by a kind-hearted person who brought her to Canyon… Read moreHCH Pet of the Week: Shallot
The four additional days will include Saturday, May 10, Sunday, May 11, Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. Read moreArizona Snowbowl season extended to May 18
Vitalant has announced its May blood drive locations for northern Arizona, including events in Flagstaff, Munds Park, Winslow and Tusayan. Read moreVitalant announces May blood drive locations in northern Arizona
The closure will span from the entrance of the police station public parking lot to the intersection of Sawmill and Kensington Drive. Read moreSawmill Road to close at night from May 6-8
Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy announced recently that it will be changing its school schedule for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year. Read moreFALA announces changes to bell schedule for 2025-2026 school year
Special to the Times | Donovan QuinteroParadegoers sit on Main Street near KFC as they watch the 54th Annual Western Navajo Fair parade on Saturday morning in Tuba City
Special to the Times | Donovan QuinteroChris Deschene
holds up a “Yiiyah Man!” sign depicting Donald Trump as he walks the parade route on Saturday morning in Tuba City
their laughter echoing as they dashed to enjoy the carnival rides and games
Attendees were greeted with various attractions
including a free skateboard and helmet giveaway
highlighting the fair’s commitment to youth engagement and safety
they wanted skateboards,” said Sally Tohannie from Tonalea-Red Lake
Tohannie’s grandchildren are Taylor Willie
they love it,” she said as she carried their new $200 skateboard and helmet packages for them
Informational booths provided resources for health and wellness
while local vendors showcased an array of delicious fair foods and refreshing drinks that delighted the senses
The fair truly came alive on Saturday with its renowned parade down
a cherished tradition that celebrates Navajo culture and community spirit
Main Street and Edgewater Drive were lined with enthusiastic spectators
with gusty winds and intermittent rain showers
Many attendees donned ponchos and enjoyed the fair activities regardless of the elements
Navajo Times | Krista AllenChildren play with a bubble blaster as they wait for the start of the 54th Annual Western Navajo Fair parade on Saturday morning in Tuba City
The 54th Annual Western Navajo Fair not only provided entertainment and excitement but also fostered a sense of unity among attendees
the fair demonstrated the strength and resilience of the Navajo people
The success of this year’s event signifies that the Western Navajo Fair will continue to be a cornerstone of community celebration and cultural pride for years to come
Plans for the next Western Navajo Fair start immediately after the previous one ends
Yazzie is the granddaughter of Margaret and Frank Goldtooth Jr.
one of the founding members of the Western Navajo Fair and a key figure in the development of the Tuba City Community Center
Community service has always been in her blood
but it took several years after high school to realize that
After a short-lived attempt at becoming a YouTube star by posting her “rez adventures” online
she realized she needed a job and applied to the workforce program in 2017
where she worked at the front office completing daily tasks for six months
she was asked to help at the fair office because Sixkiller’s assistant at the time had left for college
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Yazzie said
“For the first few weeks at the fair office
He would give me a list of tasks to do every morning and I’d get to work.”
greets relatives during the 54th Annual Western Navajo Fair song and dance on Saturday afternoon in Tuba City
Her initial impression of working at the fair office was that there are a lot of “moving parts,” and she didn’t know it would be hard work
But she quickly progressed from filing papers and doing mundane tasks to helping plan community events and managing all the marketing platforms for the Western Navajo Fair
she played a pivotal role in planning the 50th Annual Western Navajo Fair
the “fair that changed the game” when the new amphitheater was introduced
Yazzie applied for a permanent position at the Western Navajo Fair office after completing the workforce program in 2019
She became in charge of all marketing related to the fair and events in Tuba City
she helped design and purchase materials for the new rodeo grounds and assisted the chapter in acquiring heavy equipment
Yazzie was also one of the main advocates for bringing a drag show to the Western fair
The Western Navajo Fair is a “highly-anticipated event,” according to the Western fair staff
“One thing that separates our fair from other fairs such as your state fair (and) the Coconino County Fair
it’s very culturally driven,” Yazzie explained
“We really highlight Indigenous artists and performers at a cultural night
We’re always trying to one-up the past year.”
Yazzie and her staff implemented seating and a pathway that complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act at the amphitheater and the fairgrounds
“That’s to help our elderly and disability community,” she said
“We heard their voices and their concerns about how important it was for them to be able to get through the terrain here.”
Planning the annual Western Navajo Fair takes a year
It takes a lot of coordination and advertising
“There are things always changing,” Yazzie said
It’s just to make sure everyone’s on track and things are getting done
“This year is my first year and it’s a new role for me,” she continued
it’s a little bit of a change for me in regards to attending weekly meetings with my (event) coordinators and giving them the information that they need
Sixkiller did an amazing job during his reign
And I’m happy that I was able to learn from him in regards to how to host a fair
I definitely feel like if anybody is to throw it to the (level) that he did it
Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMOENKOPI
AZ (AZFamily) — A suspect was shot and killed Monday morning as Federal Bureau of Investigation agents served a warrant on the Hopi reservation in northern Arizona
The incident happened just before 7:30 a.m. when FBI agents executed the warrant in the Moenkopi village near Tuba City
The Navajo Police Department said a suspect pulled out a weapon on the agents
FBI agents administered first aid before the suspect was taken to Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation for treatment
Police did not say what the warrant was for
No agents or officers were injured in this shooting
and the FBI is monitoring the suspect at the hospital
Residents in the area should expect to see a heavy law enforcement presence
Police said schools in the area were placed on lockdown
but all lockdowns are now lifted with no active threat to the community
This is the 14th officer-involved shooting in Arizona this year
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SubmittedTuba City Diné Maurice Brown poses with the 2024 Indoor Football League championship trophy last month in Las Vegas
WINDOW ROCK – The Arizona Rattlers’ 2024 season will be remembered as one of the most significant in indoor football history
not just for the thrilling on-field action but for a groundbreaking achievement off the field
the team’s strength and conditioning coach made history as the first 100% Navajo/Native American coach in any professional sport to win a league championship
His role was instrumental in leading the Rattlers to this first-place win
marking a momentous occasion for both the team and the broader Native American community
Brown’s journey to becoming a trailblazer in the Indoor Football League is a story of resilience
“There were a lot of challenges this season
Coach Brown’s training programs are proven to be well-rounded and effective
ensuring that players are not only in peak physical condition but are also mentally prepared to face the grueling demands of a championship season
Brown noted that mental strength plays a big role in the game
“A lot of mental strength comes with a solid mindset and awareness of self
The ability to look at yourself both in wins and losses.”
“One question that we ask ourselves is how do we get better after a win
What does the standard look like to be a professional
There is a standard to meet in every aspect of life
but the goal is to live up to the standard
“everyone has the ability to do great things
Everyone can be a superstar in (their own) role”
As the first 100% Navajo/Native American coach to win a professional league championship
Coach Brown is an example of pride for Native American communities across the country
He attributes his success to his community thanking “the whole Rattler organization
and people who have supported me along this journey.” Noting that “the Tuba City community has been a big supporter.”
Brown’s legacy will surely inspire a new generation of Native American athletes and coaches
His historic championship with the Arizona Rattlers is not just a win for the team
but a victory for the entire Navajo community
This is his message to youth athletes: “Nothing in this world is given to you
An architect rendering of TCRHCC's planned new healthcare facility in Bodaway Gap
The facility's groundbreaking is set for Friday
Echo Cliffs is seeking “artwork that embodies local traditions
stories and the beauty of the surrounding lands.”
The Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) is seeking art submissions for display in the Echo Cliffs Health Center in Bodaway/Gap
The Echo Cliffs Health Center is currently under construction
with an expected opening in late fall of 2025
It will be 124,134 square feet and two stories tall
Navajo Times | Quentin JodieTuba City Lady Warrior Justice Nez (white jersey) goes up for a layup while being defended by Ganado’s Jasah McIntosh (4) on Tuesday night at the Warrior Pavilion in Tuba City
the Ganado Lady Hornets battled two fronts during the first round of the Arizona Interscholastic Association’s inaugural Copper Bracket
The Hornets were playing without former head coach Galen Williams
who was relieved of his duties following a school board meeting on Monday night
as Ganado could not stopped the runaway train that the Lady Warriors were on
as Tuba pulled out a 71-38 win at the Warrior Pavilion
but I’m really proud of their performance,” Ganado interim head coach Abigail Benally said
I’m focused on just making sure we finish the season and making sure the girls are in an environment where they feel supported and cared for
Navajo Times | Quentin JodieGanado interim girls basketball coach Abigail Benally watches from the sideline during Tuesday’s opener in the AIA Copper Bracket
Benally took over the program following the firing of then-head coach Galen Williams
you have a community that supports you,” she added
“Knowing that we have a strong support system
we’re going to recover from this because I know we kind of struggled mentally tonight.”
And while their spirits may have been down
it also didn’t help that the Hornets missed a bevy of shots
“Our main issue tonight was our shots weren’t falling,” Benally said
Details of Williams’ dismissal was not provided by the Ganado Unified School District as the paper went to print
The 16-team bracket will be released following today’s 3A Pool Play games
“I really commended them for getting a chance to play in the Copper Bracket
because it’s the best of the best from 1A to 3A,” Benally said
“To be seeded in the Copper Bracket is amazing in itself
and we’ll get our confidence back moving forward.”
the Warriors erased a 13-10 deficit in the early going of the second and scored 16 straight points to start the onslaught
Tuba received a pair of old-fashioned 3-point plays from junior Aubrey Begaye and freshman Nakota Tallman
Tallman then nailed a trey and that was followed by a 3-pointer from senior Eriana Begay
Two free throws from junior Justice Nez and a transition basket by Aubrey Begaye capped the run as Tuba seized a 26-13 cushion with 3:55 remaining until the half
“I think we started the first quarter kind of too relaxed,” Tuba guard Eriana Begay said
“We were not playing to our potential and after the first quarter we picked up our game
We were starting to play tougher defense; we were getting rebounds and we were pushing the ball.”
Tuba City first-year coach Michael Balcerek attributed that run to efficient ball movement from his club
the better our offense flows,” Balcerek said
“The only way that we can get those shooting spurts going is we have to keep moving the ball
But most importantly is we’ve got to play defense
really dictates everybody’s offense,” he added
“That’s the one thing that we need to make sure that we’re doing for every quarter We got to be consistent with our defense.”
The Hornets made a push in the last two minutes before the break with juniors Jayanna White and Jasah McIntosh combining for nine points as Ganado cut Tuba’s lead down to 31-22 at the half
Tuba came up with another outburst as the Warriors went on a 17-0 run to start the fourth with Nez scoring seven while Eriana Begay added a pair of treys for a commanding 64-34 cushion
did lose leading scorer Aubrey Begaye as she left the game with an undisclosed leg injury at the 7:43 mark
Begaye led Tuba with 15 points while senior post Natasha Acothley and Eriana Begay chipped in 14 points apiece
“We had everyone contribute by swinging the ball,” Tallman said of Tuba’s balanced scoring attack
Balcerek said having that many players (five) in double figures bodes well for the team moving forward as Tuba takes on top-ranked Chinle tonight at the Wildcat Den in the second round of the Copper Bracket
the better off we’re going to be,” the Tuba coach said
“And what that means is everybody’s got to sacrifice the shots that they have been getting in the past
but it’s also making sure that every everybody’s satisfied
“We want to make sure that we’re having an even game because when everybody’s scoring
it allows the defense to play off with certain people
That’s when we start to look at those mismatches.”
Balcerek wasn’t sure of the extent of her injury
“She’s one of our key players on defense,” he said
“She’s quick and she’s tall and she’s lengthy
Balcerek is expecting another tough outing with Chinle as the Lady Wildcats won its opener with a 40-29 win over No
the Warriors got into early foul trouble and dropped a 53-42 decision during last Saturday’s 3A North Regional championship game
“Chinle is such a great team,” Balcerek said
They are where they are right now because they’ve been through a system for so long
“The adjustments we got to do on our end is
Defense Department has yet to restore history of Iowa Jima flagraiser Ira Hayes, Pima
PHOENIX — The Pentagon restored some webpages highlighting the crucial wartime contributions of Navajo Code Talkers and other Native American veterans on Wednesday
Department officials say the Navajo Code Talker material was erroneously erased
“In the rare cases that content is removed — either deliberately or by mistake — that is out of the clearly outlined scope of the directive
we instruct the components and they correct the content so it recognizes our heroes for their dedicated service alongside their fellow Americans
period,” Pentagon press secretary John Ullyot said in a statement
Several webpages on the Code Talkers landed on a “404 - Page not found” message Tuesday
Some were back up Wednesday — although any that also mention Native American Heritage Month remain down
Thousands of other pages deleted in the DEI purge are still offline
White House officials informed the Navajo Nation that an artificial intelligence-powered automated review process looking for content with DEI initiatives led to the elimination of anything mentioning “Navajo," according to a statement from Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren
who sent a letter to the Defense Department requesting clarity on the issue
“I want to assure the Navajo people that we remain in close communication with federal officials to ensure the legacy of our cherished Navajo Code Talkers is never erased from American and Navajo history,” Nygren said
He also pointed out the 574 federally recognized tribes across the U.S
are sovereign nations and not defined by DEI classifications
a stance broadly supported by other Native American leaders who also sent letters to the Trump administration
Marine Corps initially recruited 29 Navajo men to develop a code based on the unwritten Navajo language in World War II
they came up with a glossary of more than 200 terms
To convey the word “send,” Code Talkers would say the Navajo words for “sheep
Hundreds of Navajos followed in their footsteps
sending thousands of messages without error on Japanese troop movements
battlefield tactics and other communications crucial to the war’s ultimate outcome
The code stumped Japanese military cryptologists
The Code Talkers participated in all assaults the Marines led in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945 and are credited with helping the U.S
Hundreds of Native Americans from more than 20 tribes also served as code talkers during World War I and World War II
according to the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian
Begay are the only two Navajo Code Talkers still living today
“That code became a very valuable weapon and not only saved hundreds of thousands of soldiers
but it also helped win the war in the Pacific,” MacDonald said by phone from his home in Tuba City in the Arizona portion of the Navajo Nation
"And it has absolutely nothing to do with DEI."
MacDonald said he thinks the current administration needs to better walk the line between getting rid of DEI and ignoring history
“That’s why I’m very concerned that communication from the Pentagon down to the various military units should be taught or learn that this information is history
and you don’t want to hide history,” MacDonald said
pages honoring a Black Medal of Honor winner and Japanese American service members were also restored
“Everyone at the Defense Department loves Jackie Robinson
the Marines at Iwo Jima and so many others — we salute them for their strong and in many cases heroic service to our country
“We do not view or highlight them through the prism of immutable characteristics
questioned why these pages were removed at all
“I don’t know how taking Navajo Code Talkers off the Department of Defense website is saving the United States any money because that’s not consistent with the president’s order,” said Smith
who helps organize annual celebrations of the Code Talkers
Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona also expressed disappointment
claiming there was missing content relating to all Native American veterans
Hayes was an enrolled member of the tribe and one of six Marines featured in an iconic 1945 Associated Press photograph of U.S
forces raising an American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima
Hayes' history page had yet to be restored
he remains worried web content removal is “the tip of the iceberg.”
“The way it looks in the (executive) order
this language is skewed and made to sound like the diversity programs are the ones that are unethical," Smith said
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Special to the Times | Truman BegayePage senior guard LeLaura Yazzie scores on a layup during Page’s 46-41 win over the Tuba City Lady Warriors in the Copper Bracket semifinal Friday night at the Nash Center in Kayenta
KAYENTA – The fifth-seeded Page Lady Sand Devils punched their ticket to the Copper Bracket championship game with a hard-fought 46-41 win over No
8 Tuba City Lady Warriors on Friday night at the Nash Center in Kayenta
Page overcame a slow start and a halftime deficit by locking down the Warriors in the third quarter
allowing just three points to seize control of the game
The Lady Sand Devils were led by the Yazzie sisters
with senior center Leikara Yazzie scoring 14 points and senior guard LeLaura Yazzie adding 13
Tuba City’s offensive push was spearheaded by senior guard Eriana Begay with 12 points
This was the fourth meeting between the two teams this season
The Sand Devils won their regular-season matchup but fell to Tuba City in the semifinals of the 3A North Championship tournament
Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in a low-scoring opening quarter
Tuba City edged out to an 8-4 lead before Leikara Yazzie converted a tough left-handed layup and completed a three-point play
cutting the deficit to 8-7 in the final minute of the first quarter
Special to the Times | Truman BegayeTuba City sophomore Trece Tsingine (25) attempts a shot during the semifinal of the Copper Bracket on Friday night against the Page Sand Devils at the Nash Center in Kayenta
The Lady Warriors were led by Begaye with four points
while Acothley and freshman guard Nakota Tallman each added two
Page’s scoring came from Leikara Yazzie with five points and LeLaura Yazzie
The second quarter saw an offensive explosion
with Tuba City outscoring Page 19-15 to take a 27-22 halftime lead
they built a 22-12 lead before Page called a timeout
The Sand Devils responded with a quick five points
But Eriana Begay electrified the crowd with a deep 3-pointer at the buzzer
pushing Tuba City’s lead to 27-22 at the break
Begay led the Warriors with six points in the quarter
while sophomore Trece Tsingine added a 3-pointer
and five other players contributed two points each
and LeLaura Yazzie—led with three points each
The third quarter marked a turning point as Page’s defense smothered the Lady Warriors
The Sand Devils methodically chipped away at the deficit
tying the game at 29-29 with under five minutes remaining
With just over two minutes left in the period
LeLaura Yazzie drained a jumper from the top of the key
giving Page a 31-29 lead—their first since the opening minutes
LeLaura Yazzie fueled Page’s charge with five points in the quarter
while junior forward Tayla Franklin contributed four
managing only three free throws—two from Begay and one from junior guard Thalia Clitso
notching her 1,000th career point early in the period
opening with five quick points to reclaim a 35-33 lead
with junior guard Aubrey Dobson sinking a free throw after drawing a foul to make it 35-34
Acothley hit a jumper in the paint to push Tuba City’s lead back to three
Leikara Yazzie squared up at the top of the key and buried a 3-pointer
tying the game at 37-all with 3:33 remaining
The Sand Devils then turned up the intensity
Begay slashed to the basket for a tough layup
But Leikara Yazzie responded by drawing a foul and calmly sinking both free throws to make it 43-39
LeLaura Yazzie came up with a crucial steal
and drew a foul as she knocked down 1-of-2 from the line
but Dobson was fouled immediately and iced the game by hitting two free throws
Page head coach Celeste Claw was thrilled with her team’s resilience
“Words can’t explain—I’m just so excited for these girls
Claw credited a key mentality shift: “We’ve been working on a ‘stop
That was our momentum going into the second half.”
When asked about the key players who carried them to victory
“They’re the ones that keep the team together,” she said
“That was our conversation at halftime—letting them lead the way.”
Claw had no concerns about LeLaura Yazzie’s ability to push through
and I think she was feeding off of that to push through,” Claw said
Claw made it clear that Page is focused on one thing—winning
“It doesn’t matter what division we’re in,” she said
Tuba City head coach Michael Balcerek acknowledged Page’s strong second half that turned the tables for the Sand Devils
“Page came out in the second half with a game plan
Asked if the team played too conservatively after halftime
we wanted to make them uncomfortable,” he said
“We knew everything was going to run through two players
They played a well-rounded game toward the end.”
Page advances as the Sand Devils will take on second seed Phoenix Country Day on Saturday night
at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix
By Ben BradleyPublished: Jan
2025 at 11:49 AM MSTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTUBA CITY
AZ (AZFamily) — Navajo police say a junior high teacher was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he was arrested during morning classes earlier this week
Just before 8 a.m. on Tuesday, security at Tuba City Junior High School called police to report seeing alcohol in a parked vehicle on campus
Police say an officer arrived soon after and saw a vehicle “littered with empty beer cans.”
The car was registered to a 51-year-old teacher
After the officer contacted him in the computer class he teaches
police say the man’s breath alcohol content confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol
Police say other charges could also be pending
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Special to the Times | Truman BegayeGanado senior guard Faith James (24) drives the ball downcourt during the first round of the 3A North Regional Girls Basketball Tournament at the Bee Hóldzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance on Thursday night
FORT DEFIANCE – The Ganado girls basketball team will have another crack at top-seeded Chinle in today’s semifinal of the 3A North Regional Girls Basketball Tournament sponsored by Marathon MPLX Corp
Special to the Times | Truman Begaye Monument Valley senior forward Skylynn Raye (21) attempts a layup while avoiding a Ganado defender during the first round of the 3A North Regional Girls Basketball Tournament at the Bee Hóldzil Fighting Scouts Events Center on Thursday night
The fourth-seeded Lady Hornets earned that right after outlasting No
in the first of two first round girls games on Thursday at the Bee Hóldzil Fighting Scouts Events Center in Fort Defiance
“That’s the game that we want,” Ganado coach Galen Williams said of tonight’s matchup
“The first game we played with them we lost by nine points
but I feel like we should have won that game
The second time we played them; we lost our lead in the fourth quarter with two minutes left
The semifinal game between Ganado and Chinle
The winner of that game advances into Saturday’s championship game
In the bottom half of the sixth-team bracket
which went 0-11 against 3A North opponents this season
The Warriors led 16-4 after the first quarter and won 69-43 as Tuba had 10 players score at least two points en route to the 26-point win
“That’s the one thing that I’m very thankful of my team because everybody steps up,” first-year Tuba City coach Michael Balcerek said of his team’s balance scoring
“I don’t want the production to go down when I put the bench in there
After trailing 38-31 with 2:26 remaining in the third
the Hornets used a 14-4 run to overtake Monument Valley with senior Faith James and junior Jasah McIntosh taking charge offensively
James scored seven and McIntosh added five during that pivotal stretch as Ganado entered the fourth quarter with a 45-42 advantage
Special to the Times | Truman BegayeTuba City junior guard Justice Nez (4) drains a 3-pointer during the first round of the 3A North Regional Girls Basketball Tournament at the Bee Hóldzil Fighting Scouts Events Center on Thursday night
The Hornets pushed their lead to as much as seven points
but MV did not go away as a basket by Skylynn Raye got the Mustangs within 51-48 with 3:16 to go
But a 5-0 spurt by McIntosh changed the trajectory of the game as Ganado moved into tonight’s semifinal game
McIntosh led Ganado with 25 points while James added 20
we just brought each other up,” James said
and our chemistry just came together in the third and fourth quarter.”
The Mustangs received a team-best 24 points from senior post Keiryn Mann as she had 15 of those points in the opening half as MV lead 27-23 at the break
Mann received some help early in the third with freshman forward Tayana Sherlock scoring six of her eight points helping MV to that 38-31 cushion
received a spark from the James/McIntosh combo that put them over the top
“We try not to trail teams but unfortunately that wasn’t the case
“I think we were just trying to find each other in the first half,” the Ganado coach added
It took a few minutes for the Tuba City girls to find its groove
and when they did the Warriors were in cruise control the rest of the way
Special to the Times | Truman Begaye Window Rock senior Kourtney Bitselley (21) drains a 3-point shot during the first round of the 3A North Regional Girls Basketball Tournament at the Bee Hóldzil Fighting Scouts Events Center on Thursday night
The Warriors were held scoreless for nearly four minutes
but a trey by senior Natasha Acothley (nine points) opened the floodgates for the third-seeded Warriors as Tuba led 16-4 entering the second stanza
“We really do preach on starting out strong and we really went off each other’s energy,” said Tuba guard Eriana Begay
“We love to hype each other up and once we start to get going
was ice cold at the start of the game as they went 1-of-14 in the first eight minutes
Junior Kourtney Bitselley hit the Scouts’ only basket at the 2:48 mark
The Scouts had better clips in the next three periods
and they have such a good coach,” Tuba City coach Michael Balcerek said
and we knew they weren’t just going to let us take the win
2 seed Page as the Sand Devils earned a bye in the opening round
The Warriors came up short to the Sand Devils twice this season with Page winning 46-44 and 56-55
“We’re hoping that the third time’s the charm,” Balcerek said
They obviously won (the state title) last year
and they still have that competitive fight in them
“We want to go into tomorrow riding the confidence from today’s game,” he added
“We want to go in there and play our style of basketball
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I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years
I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009
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as well as to far-flung locations around the world
Share LinkThis Blink-And-You’ll-Miss-It Town In Arizona Is So Worth ExploringFor outdoor explorers and history lovers
Tuba City is a tiny town in Arizona worthy of a day trip
Tuba City is an unincorporated town within the Painted Desert and badlands found in the Navajo Nation. It's remote, to say the least. However, it's absolutely worth a stop.
Located on the same property as the trading post
Another incredible place to visit in Tuba City is the Navajo Moenave Dinosaur Tracks considered the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in North America
it is unclear what species of dinosaur made them
this is a great spot for kids and adults may feel like kids when they visit
Have you been to this tiny town in Arizona yet? If you have, let us know about your experience in the comments. To learn more, head to the Visit Arizona website
If you plan on taking a road trip to Tuba City, make sure you take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List for everything you need before you go.
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