Whoops, hoops and hopes for Tuba City<br>

Lady Warriors

The Lady Warriors with three consecutive state championships behind them, know when its time to crank up the adrenaline for that finely honed killing shot when they need to. Many times during this season these young women have exhibited skill, discipline, grace and a drive for excellence.

Leading by only one point in the last quarter, the Lady Warriors closed out the Feb. 19 game at NAU’s Rolle Center against the Snowflake Lady Lobos for a 57-43 win and another trip to the Final Four.

Sophomore Jessica Tsingine spurred the Lady Warriors in the final deciding stretch. With a pair of free throws making it a 46-43 lead with only 3:09 to play. She made a steal and converted it to a three-point play, picking up a free throw to give her team a game high of 21 points.

Deidra Dogsleep scored eight first half points and Tsingine scored nine. Tuba City got a bit sloppy in the third quarter and the Lady Lobos picked up four three pointers in that quarter alone. Brandi Atene passed to Hatathlie for a Tuba City three, and Dogsleep picked up a pair of free throws to push the TC lead to 37-27 with 4:53 in the quarter.

Team effort is what the Lady Warriors attribute to their continued success. So not only do these young women exhibit a killer basketball skill but fully understand the Native American notion of deliberate group effort to win. It’s the Native American way.

On Friday, the Tuba City High Lady Warriors ranked at 23-9, faced longtime reservation rival, Monument Valley Lady Mustangs for the 3A semifinals at America West Arena in Phoenix with their Varsity Warrior Boys and their entire community at their side.

Community spirit

When the Warriors and Lady Warriors arrived back home Feb. 20 in Tuba City and were getting set to leave for Phoenix, the community turned up for a send-off parade.

The streets were lined with parents, hometown community members and students. They stretched all the way from the beloved Warrior Pavilion, through Main Street past Kurley Valley and into the community of Cameron to show their TC Warrior and Lady Warrior support.

Standing quietly, proudly, by the departing team buses stood Principal Adelbert Goldtooth of TC High, who said, “I think its amazing that another set of our student athletes with two new and different coaches than the last time are again knocking on the door of the State Championship. I think this shows the talent that is out here in our native communities. I am so proud of our athletes, our coaching staff, the athletic department and our parents.”

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