As Sam Sees It

Congratulations to the Winslow Lady Bulldogs basketball team and Coach Don Petranovich for another memorable and successful season. Some measure of that success is that elimination in the quarterfinals of the Arizona State 3A Tournament is considered a rather bitter disappointment. Most teams would love to boast of a 24-6 season, a regular season regional championship and a win in the state tournament. That Winslow expects more is a testament to the success this program has come to expect.

We will miss the seniors who are graduating this May and that includes seven talented players. Niicole Begaii has thrilled the Winslow fans for four years with her radar accurate three-point shooting and her prowess at the charity stripe. Daphne Barton is another senior who started frequently and has contributed mightily to the Winslow program. Juana Brown, Nicole Williams, Heather Johnson, Cyanne Yazzie and Kelly Willie all saw significant playing time and did their share for this highly successful program.

The future still looks bright for the girls in maroon, gold and white. Lindsey Begaii was a force on the inside and handled the ball with all of the skill of a point guard despite being the tallest player on the team. She will, undoubtedly, be one of the key ingredients in the Bulldogs’ future. Best of all, she is just a sophomore. In my humble opinion, she is already one of the premier girls’ basketball players in the state.

Stephanie Garnett is just a freshman and can be counted on for three more years of stellar basketball. She possesses lightning speed and was one of the better rebounders in the region this season. As Garnett improves, she and Begaii will give the Bulldogs an enviable inside presence.

Starla McCurtain is a junior who saw plenty of action and made her presence felt, often when it was needed most. Junior JoDawn White contributed many valuable minutes both as off the bench and as a starter. Junior Raenna Cutfinger came up from the junior varsity and showed real potential as an inside player. She could be an important ingredient on the 2003-2004 edition of the Winslow Lady Bulldogs. Others returning who saw some varsity action are junior Donna Bennally and sophomore Johanna Begay.

Seven players is a lot to lose off a basketball team and most that do so look forward to a rebuilding year. That, however, isn’t likely to be the case with Winslow. Players like Lindsey Begaii, Starla McCurtain, Raenna Cutfinger, JoDawn White and Stephanie Garnett don’t look like a club that is rebuilding. The Lady Bulldogs will be title contenders again in 2004. No doubts about it.

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