Roadrunner, Wildcat and Lobo fans will soon be converging on their respective gyms to support their basketball teams. Basketball season is just around the corner for all teams, although Snowflake still has some unfinished business on the gridiron with the Lobos playing in the semifinal round on Saturday, Nov. 22. All six programs will officially start the season within the next two weeks.
The Holbrook teams get things underway early with home court contests against Show Low on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
The Lady Roadrunners are coming off a 22-10 season from a year ago with the majority of last year’s varsity roster returning. Holbrook bowed out of the state playoffs last year with a second round, five-point loss to Estrella Foothills. The Lady Roadrunners are one of several top level teams in Division III to return most of their talent for this season.
The boys team is under direction of longtime assistant coach Delmar Johnson, who takes the reins for the first time as a head coach, replacing Raul Mendoza, who has moved on to become the head coach in Window Rock. The Roadrunners are coming off their second non-winning season in a row despite losing out in the second round of the state playoffs with a three-point loss to Combs.
Both Holbrook squads will take the floor on Tuesday, then travel to Chinle on Tuesday, Dec. 2. One week later they travel to Winslow for the always anticipated match up with the Bulldog squads.
The Joseph City boys’ team went just 5-19 last season, failing to reach the post-season. Former Lady Wildcat coach John Bryant moves over to the boys’ side and hopes to return the Cats to the post-season.
The Lady Wildcats will now be under the direction of former boys’ coach Eric Miller. Last season the Lady Cats posted an impressive record of 21-6 before losing in the second round of the Division IV state tournament to eventual champion Gilbert Christian.
The boys’ team gets its first opportunity to play on Monday, Nov. 24, with a trip to Mayer. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, both teams play at Show Low. Dec. 3 will be the first home court action for either team, with the boys hosting Blue Ridge. The Lady Wildcats play at St. Johns on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
The Snowflake boys’ team went 25-6 last season, losing out to Cortez in the second round of the state tournament after receiving a first round bye. Coach Andy Wood’s team will host St. Johns on Tuesday, Dec. 2, although several of his players could have just a couple days practice under their belts if the football team continues advancing to the state title game. Beginning Dec. 4, they will get plenty of action at the three-day Red Rock Hoop Classic in Sedona.
The Lady Lobos went 17-11 last season, losing in the first round of the state tournament to Payson. Coach Don Godfrey’s team will also host St. Johns on Dec. 2, then is scheduled to play at Blue Ridge on Dec. 9. The Lady Lobos’ first tournament is the Round Valley Hoops invitational, scheduled Dec. 11-13.
