With just the 4A football title yet to be decided, area schools have now shifted their sights to the hardwood with basketball seasons getting underway for most teams this week.
Snowflake’s girls are coming off a state championship and have to be the heavy favorites to repeat either that title or win the Copper Division title with the majority of their team returning for Coach Mike Brogan. The team could easily start five seniors with still more on the bench, all with veteran leadership and experience. They will be a very tough out for anyone in the state this year, let alone the 3A east region.
Snowflake opens its season next Monday at the Inferno Invitational tournament hosted by Sunnyside High School. They play Queen Creek and Poston Butte in pool play on the first day of the tournament. Their first regular season game will be a home court match-up with Chinle on Dec. 2.
The boys Lobo team will have a late start to the season, with the bulk of their team still playing football well into the early weeks of the basketball season. Last year, Snowflake went 12-6 in the regular season, winning the east region title in the process. They were bounced from the state tournament in the second round with a three-point loss to Sabino. Six seniors will have to be replaced from that team, but nine underclassmen have experience for this year.
The boys’ team opens its season on Dec. 2, with a home tilt vs Chinle. Many of their boys may still be in football if they make the 4A state title game, which is played on Dec. 5.
Last season, the Joseph City boys went 14-5 in the regular season, including a 7-0 record in the 1A central region. They lost to Seligman in the semifinal round of the state playoffs. With just one senior on last year’s roster, look for the Wildcats to make another deep playoff run.
Joseph City opens its season this Thursday at the Boyd Baker Tournament hosted by St. Augustine. They will face Bisbee and Duncan in pool play on the 20th, then will see San Simon and The Gregory School on Friday.
The Lady Wildcats were an impressive 18-1 last year, winning the 1A central title with a 7-0 mark. They also cruised through the 1A state playoffs, securing the state championship with a 9-point win over Fort Thomas in the title game.
Four seniors have left the team, but the Neill sisters remain, along with a host of others who may very well be repeat champions at the 1A level.
Joseph City is slated to open its regular season on November 24th when it hosts Cibecue. One week later, they will host Music Mountain.
Holbrook’s boys’ team is coming off a season where they went 7-3 in the region and 13-4 overall. They were bumped from the 3A state tournament by Coolidge in the second round of the state tournament.
Gone is Tyler Tapaha, along with six other seniors, all of whom contributed last season. This year’s group will rely on a few returning seniors and the style of play that always makes them tough to beat.
Holbrook opens its season on Friday with a trip to Window Rock. Saturday afternoon, they will host Tuba City and then next Tuesday they will travel to face Ganado.
The Lady Roadrunners are coming off a 7-10 regular season but came together at the end of the year before bowing out of the state playoffs to state runner-up Payson in the second round.
This year they have a handful of returning experience but will only have one senior starter. Team depth will be the team’s main concern early in the season. Holbrook opens its season in a tough way. Facing three 3A North opponents right off the bat. Friday is a trip to Window Rock, followed by Saturday afternoon’s home court matchup with Tuba City. On Tuesday, they travel to Ganado.
All home games for Holbrook will be GOFAN tickets only. They may be purchased at the door, but only with Cards. No cash sales at the door.
