As Sam Sees It

The Winslow Lady Bulldogs all but clinched the Enchantment Region regular season championship with their overtime victory over the Tuba City Lady Warriors in Tuba City on Jan. 19. The win was Winslow’s second over the defending Arizona State 3A Champions and put the Lady ‘Dogs two games up on their nearest rival in the region. Winning the regional tournament could still be difficult with that event slated to be played in Tuba City (technically at Greyhills Academy).

This team ranks among the better ones fielded by Coach Don Petranovich, who has certainly enjoyed his share of success. The Lady Bulldogs miss Francine McCurtain, the unflappable leader of the 2000-2001 team that finished second in the state. However, Faith Carpenter has stepped up and knows no equal among 3A schools on the boards. Lexine Jensen has improved her game and shouldered much of the leadership role. Camelle Begay has run the team with impressive skill from the point guard position. Nicole Begaii has shot the lights out from three-point range and was a major factor in the last victory over Tuba City. Daphne Barton is also a dependable contributor to the Winslow cause. Lindsey Begaii usually comes off the bench, but the freshman has shown signs of being the dominant player of the future. Kelly Willie has also stepped up her game of late. Add to these regulars the best bench in girls’ basketball in Arizona and the Lady Bulldogs look like favorites to bring home a state championship. It still has to be done on the court and watching that happen is certainly something to look forward to.

The Winslow Bulldogs boys’ team will have a harder time winning the regional title, much less the state crown, but they are a talented and exciting basketball team. Only Monument Valley leads the ‘Dogs in the region and Winslow gave the Mustangs all they wanted in their only conference loss at Kayenta. Bryan Curtis is one of the smoothest high school players you will want to see. Seth Davis always gives 100% and sometimes it seems like more. Manuelito Shirley, Evander Lee and Avery Bahe all have great quickness and can play pressure defense in a way that reeks havoc. Reed Hancock may be the most improved player on the team and should be a leader next year as a senior. Shane Garnett and Stephen Hancock usually contribute to the team’s success. The Enchantment Region is filled with dangerous teams and there is not a clear-cut favorite among the boys. There is also not a team that you can safely count on not earning a state play-off berth. On the state level, Coolidge and Globe look like the cream of the crop. Can the Bulldogs take it all? Yes. But it won’t be easy. In a tournament, you don’t have to beat every team entered, just the ones you wind up having to play. It is entirely possible to win state without having to beat Coolidge or Globe either one.

The NFL officiating continues to be the worst in professional sports. The Oakland-New England game was decided on a replay reversal that is exceedingly difficult to understand or explain. The league may even wind up changing a rule to make it more difficult to have a game decided on such a play. The Green Bay-St. Louis game was less than a minute old when an official ruled that a runner was “down by contact” and an obvious fumble was not allowed. The “ground cannot cause a fumble” rule makes one cringe every time it is heard.

As one who thought the replay rule was much needed, I would like to change my mind. This league is too capable of messing up its application and in the most critical situations, it has been wrong far too often. Just forget it and try to hire more competent officials, then let them use their judgement.

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