Snowflake capped off their regular season with two quality wins. The first came at home over Show Low by a final of 64-51 Jan. 31. Playing on senior night the Lobos trailed by one at the close of the first period. By halftime they had reeled in and passed the visitors and led 29-24. Following a close third period, Snowflake closed the game out by outscoring Show Low by seven over the final eight minutes of play.
Taden Flake led the way in scoring with 17 points. Dylan Ervien added 14; Garrett Wood, 13; Dylan Kay, 9; Kolton Solomon, 4; Miles Bahe, 4; Terver Willis, 2; and Jake Christensen helped with a single point.
Snowflake was cold from outside making just one of 15 three-point attempts and they went 13 for 28 at the free throw line.
Friday, Feb. 2, was a trip to Blue Ridge to face the overall number one team in 3A. The Yellowjackets high ranking and gaudy record didn’t faze the Lobos. Garrett Wood led four Lobo players in double figures as Snowflake upended the Yellowjackets on their own floor by a final of 72-65.
Wood finished with 18 points. Flake added 12 with 11 rebounds. Kay also netted 12 and Bahe finished with 10. Jared Fusselman hit three treys for nine points. Ervien added 7 and Christensen helped with 4.
With the two wins the Lobos closed out the regular season on a five game winning streak. They head into post-season play with an overall record of 17-11. They, along with Blue Ridge and Winslow, finished the east region with identical 8-2 region records forcing a three-way tie for first place. The first tiebreaker was head-to-head action and the three teams all beat each other meaning the decision had to go to the second tiebreaker, which was overall record in 3A conference games. Winslow had the best mark in that area with a 14-2 record giving them first place. Blue Ridge was 10-2 claiming second, and Snowflake went 11-5 and takes third place.
As the third place team they will have hosted No. 6 Payson on Tuesday night. With a win they would play at No. 2 Blue Ridge on Thursday night, then would play again on Friday night either for the tournament championship or for third and fourth place.
Region tournament games have no impact on the overall power rankings. The Lobos entered the weekend ranked fifth in such rankings and could possibly move into the top four overall meaning they would get a first round bye, then travel to a neutral site for their second round game which won’t be played until Feb. 17.
