Holbrook earned a split in two games played last week with an 11-point loss at Snowflake on Thursday followed by a 13-point home court win over Flagstaff on Saturday. Thursday’s game in Snowflake saw the Lobos go on a 13-0 run midway through the first period to build a 20-7 edge at the eight-minute break. Holbrook spent the rest of the night trying to claw their way back into the game. They trimmed the Lobo lead to three points twice in the second half including with three minutes left in the game, but down the stretch foul problems and late game turnovers spelled the end of any complete comeback hope. Matehya Aberle made four free throws in the first period, and Talynn Spencer banked Holbrook’s only field goal for three points in the first period. In the second Sam Billie and Terry Nez each hit treys as Holbrook’s defense limited the Lobos to just six points but the Birds still trailed by eight at the break. Six more points by Aberle in the third and four from senior guard Jineane Cummings trimmed three more off Snowflake’s lead with a quarter left. Holbrook twice cut the lead to three points in the fourth period, but in the end the Lobos pulled away to a 50-39 win. Aberle led all scorers with 14 points and pulled down 10 boards. Cummings and Spencer each contributed 8; Nez, 5; Billie 3, and Makani Tsipai had one free throw. Holbrook made 12 of 15 free throws and hit three triples in the loss. Snowflake was led by Macee Lesueur with 12 points. The Lobos made 13 of 25 charity tosses and made three treys. “It’s disappointing any time we lose but at this point in the season Snowflake is just the better team. Once we get some continuity into this season with some practices and a few more games we will be fine,” stated Roadrunner Coach Greg Perkins. On Saturday Holbrook broke into the win column for the first time this season with a 54-41 win over the 4A Eagles. Five points in the first by Cummings and two each from Billie and Spencer paced Holbrook to a 10-9 first period lead. Holbrook made just one field goal in the second quarter but made eight free throws to help keep the game tied at 20-20 at the half. In the third both teams again played even. Spencer netted four, Abigail Benally and Aberle each hit for three. The fourth period was the difference maker. Holbrook doubled up the Eagles 22-11 to pull away for the double-digit win. Spencer and Benally combined for 12 points over the final eight minutes. Aberle added six to her total and Nez scored four in the period. Spencer led the team in scoring with 13 points. Aberle playing through an injury sustained in the Snowflake game finished with her third double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Cummings again played well with 9 points; Benally added 8, including her first three-point field goal of the season; Alyssa Yazzie and Nez each had 4; Billie hit for two; and Abigayle Nez and Shan Footracer both made a free throw. Holbrook made 20 of 34 free throw attempts and hit just two three-point field goals. Flagstaff was led by Gracelyn Nez with 9 points. The Eagles made four three-point field goals and went four for 11 at the free throw line. With the win, Holbrook moved to 1-2 on the season. A busy week lies ahead. Holbrook will have played four games by week’s end. After playing a makeup game in Blue Ridge on Monday night the Roadrunners will have played host to Payson on Tuesday evening. On Thursday night they will welcome in last year’s 2A state champion, now playing in 3A, Thatcher. Holbrook will close out a busy week at Winslow on Friday night. Next Tuesday Holbrook will travel to Show Low.
