Chinle Hosts Preseason Showdown Against Kanab on Nov. 22
Chinle High School will open its preseason basketball schedule Nov. 22 with the girls’ game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys at 7 p.m., both against Kanab. The doubleheader offers local fans an early look at the Wildcats as teams tune up ahead of the holiday tournament slate and as the community ramps up for winter sports season.
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Chinle’s gym will host a preseason doubleheader Nov. 22, with the girls’ varsity tipping off against Kanab at 6 p.m. and the boys scheduled to follow at 7 p.m., according to public listings. Both games are listed at Chinle High School and are being promoted as an opportunity for fans to see the Wildcats before the holiday tournament stretch that figures to shape area standings and postseason hopes.
Preseason exhibitions carry local importance beyond the final score. Coaches typically use these early contests to assess rotations, integrate new players and test matchups in a lower-stakes environment. For players, the games provide real-time feedback on conditioning and team chemistry ahead of multi-game holiday tournaments, when teams often face compact schedules and longer travel. For Chinle’s athletes, that progress can translate into momentum and clearer direction as the regular season begins.
Local residents see these events as community anchors. High school games draw families, friends and alumni, offering an evening of local entertainment and a focal point for community pride. Concession sales, small vendors and nearby businesses often experience a modest uptick in traffic on game nights, and school athletic programs rely on gate receipts and local support to fund travel and equipment through the winter season. The Nov. 22 doubleheader arrives as local athletic calendars fill with holiday tournaments that can require additional resources for teams and families.
The opponent, Kanab, provides an early benchmark against an out-of-area program, allowing Chinle’s coaching staff and supporters to measure the Wildcats against a different style of play than they may see in league matchups. Early non-conference tests can reveal strengths and weaknesses that teams have time to address before tournaments that affect seeding and postseason trajectories.
For fans and families planning to attend, the doubleheader is a chance to evaluate players who may take on larger roles this season and to build momentum around Chinle’s squads before the midwinter schedule ramps up. As holiday tournaments approach, these preseason minutes will be part of the film and the storylines coaches reference when setting strategy and rotation.
The Nov. 22 games mark the start of a busy period for Chinle basketball. With the holiday tournament slate approaching, the results and performances from this home doubleheader will serve as an early indicator of how the Wildcats may fare in the weeks ahead.


