Nelson Allen is an NAU School of Communication student assigned to cover Tuba City basketball for AZPreps365.com 

The Winslow Bulldogs boys basketball team blew past the Tuba City Warriors 80-44 at the Don Petronovich Gym on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

The Bulldogs offense overpowered the Warrior defense throughout the game.

Winslow led 52-20 at halftime, as senior guards Anthony Nezzie and Jeremiah Acothley led the offense.

“We didn’t play defense well, we didn’t call out our switches, and we didn’t push the ball in transition,” Tuba City junior point guard Marai Bilagody said. “I feel like we just played off this game and that wasn’t the best of us.”

Despite a strong Bulldog defense, Bilagody continued to score several baskets to keep the Warriors afloat.

By the second half of the game the Bulldogs had the advantage with a 32-point lead.

The Winslow home crowd fired up the Bulldogs and erupted in the bleachers in the second half; this did not stop Bilagody from playing his hardest for his team.

“I don’t really focus on the crowd. I mean, it kind of just happens; I mean, I’m pretty sure the other boys got intimidated by it, but I kind of stood my ground,” Bilagody said. “The crowd's always going to say stuff, other teams are going to say stuff. It’s just good to keep your composure and, you know, play your game.”

Tuba City coach Kim Williams was proud of the team despite the loss.

“I would not allow them to quit,” Williams said. “The things we need to address is our transition defense and be more involved when we don’t. When our shots are falling short, then we need to find another way to contribute.”

Williams stated that this is a wakeup call for the Warriors and the seniors who are playing their last season for Tuba City.

“Sometimes you have to lose big to wake up, and I think this is the loss,” Williams said.

The Warriors are set to host the Snowflake Lobos Tuesday, Dec. 16.