The Lady Roadrunners hosted Winslow’s Lady Bulldogs on Jan. 29 and the fans at sold out Munoz Gym were treated to a game with a tale of two halves. Holbrook played stellar defense through the first two minutes, and Winslow struggled to score with the Roadrunners finishing the first half on top 20-2. Winslow managed just two free throws in the first half.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
In the third period the tide shifted quickly. Winslow came out of the locker room and held Holbrook to just four free throws, all by Matehay Aberle as the Bulldogs fought there way back to a 24-17 deficit.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
In the fourth period, Holbrook managed to regroup just enough to score 16 points and hold off a furious rally by Winslow’s Justine Butterfield who finished with eight in the second half. Winslow had cut the Holbrook lead to three points, but in the final seconds Holbrook was able to pick off a Winslow pass, and Madison Chappell’s pass up the floor to Talynn Spencer put Holbrook ahead for good in the 40-35 win.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
“We played an incredible defensive first half. After getting outplayed and outworked in Winslow two weeks ago, I thought the girls did a great job through the first two periods. I told them at halftime this game was far from over. Jerron’s team is too good and they showed their mettle fighting back quickly in the third. Thankfully, Matehya made four free throws in the period to help us maintain a bit of a lead. Down the stretch the game could have really gone either way. Their freshman Kylie Begay gave them a spark off the bench but we were able to get just enough points in the fourth including seven from Megan to help secure the win. Tristen also came through with four big points in the final minutes. It was ugly in the second half, but credit Winslow for keeping us from doing things we needed to do. Still, a win over Winslow is always a good thing and very hard earned by the girls. Now we need to focus on the final three games to close out the regular season and get ready for state,” stated Roadrunner Coach Greg Perkins.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Andrea Willeto led the Bulldogs with 11 points, Begay added 10, all in the second half. Justine Butterfield had 8 and Kelly Mitchell finished with 6. The Bulldogs made one three-point field goal and hit 12 of 21 free throws.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Holbrook was paced by Cummings with 10 points. Ambrose, Chappell and Aberle each scored 8; Spencer had 4; and Mika Joe helped with two opportune free throws late in the game.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
With the win Holbrook picked up their 20th win of the season against just four losses. They moved to 11-3 in power point contests. Winslow, with the loss dropped to 9-5 in power point games and they are currently 17-5 overall.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Holbrook traveled to Snowflake on Friday, then finish off the regular season with two home games this week. Blue Ridge visits on Tuesday and Show Low comes to town next Friday.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Winslow played at Blue Ridge on Friday, then will be at Payson on Tuesday and will finish off the regular season at home against Snowflake on Feb. 8.
/wp:paragraph
wp:paragraph
Both Holbrook and Winslow are expected to be top 10 seeds in the 3A State tournament.
/wp:paragraph
