After stunning Winslow earlier in the week the Holbrook Lady Roadrunners kept their momentum going to pick up wins over Snowflake and Joseph City on Friday and Saturday, although it wasn’t easy. Hosting the Lady Lobos on Friday night, the Lady Birds struggled to a one-point lead at the end of the first. Shantina Kinlicheenie netted eight of her game high 14 in the first frame to help keep Holbrook in front. In the second, the Lady Birds began to find their stride. Brittany Baldwin came off the bench and nailed two three-point shots, one coming just before the halftime buzzer, and Kaynasa Curley netted five, giving the home team an 11-point edge at the half. In the third, six different players scored for Holbrook as the Lady Birds extended their advantage to 19 points heading to the final stanza. Holbrook’s defense held the Lady Lobos to just four field goals throughout the second half, but put them on the free throw line for 22 attempts before securing the 68-43 win. “I was afraid we would have a bit of a hangover after Tuesday’s win and we came out a little flat. Once we got our legs under us in the second quarter, we played much better,” said Coach Greg Perkins. “Our pressure forced them into 41 turnovers throughout the night, which was good, but we put them on the free throw line way too many times. As the post-season arrives, we need to work on trapping without fouling so much. I do like our defensive intensity though.” Holbrook’s offense was led by Kinlicheenie with 14 points. Jessica Paz added 12; Curley, 10; Baldwin, 8; Heather Dudley, 6; Eriene Haskie, 5; Aaren LaRose and Starla Smith, 4 each; Summer Charley and Shandie Demuth, 2 each; and Samantha Smith, 1. Holbrook made four three-point shots and went 14 for 25 at the line. Snowflake was led by Lisha Titus with 13 points. Tara Nezzie added 10; Tandis Yellowhair, 9; Devrie Woodside and Brylee Coplan, 4 each; Caitlin Christensen, 2; and Katie Larson, 1. The Lady Lobos made 21 of 34 free throws, including 11 of 18 from Titus, but did not make a shot from behind the arc. Snowflake 11 11 12 9 43 Holbrook 12 21 20 15 68 On Saturday Holbrook made the short trip to Joseph City, where through three and a half quarters it looked as if the Lady Birds would get beat by the upset minded Lady Wildcats. With Searra Hansen and Taylor Hill leading the way, the Lady Cats thrilled hometown fans, outplaying Holbrook and taking a 27-14 lead to the halftime break. Even through three periods it still looked bleak for a Holbrook victory, but eventually the Lady Birds were able to corral Hill and once again the pace of the game wore down the Lady Wildcats. Holbrook’s pressure late in the game forced numerous Joseph City turnovers, and back-to-back three-point shots coming from Starla Smith and LaRose capped the turnaround and gave the Lady Birds the lead for good at 42-39. In the final eight minutes of the game Holbrook outscored the Lady Wildcats 23-4 to get yet another come from behind win, 55-43. “I was worried about this game coming in. After the way we played on Friday, I knew we could come out struggling, and I know how good the Wildcat team is. Their big girls gave us problems on both ends of the floor and once again we had a tough time trying to contain the Hill girl. In the second half, we adjusted our pressure, and once the tide turned, it turned quickly. The girls really stepped up the pressure and knocked down big shots when we needed them,” said Coach Perkins. Holbrook 9 5 18 23 55 Joseph City 13 14 12 4 43 “These come from behind wins are certainly exciting, but for us to advance very far in the state tournament, we need to stop getting behind by so much and play better early in the games,” said Coach Perkins. “The fact that we have played close games throughout the season will help us in what are sure to be close games in the next couple of weeks. We need to win our final two games, then win at least one or two at the section tournament to keep us in the top eight for the state tournament to get that first round bye. I know these girls have a tremendous opportunity this year if we can put all the pieces together and have everyone play well for four quarters. If that happens, we could be tough to beat in the post-season. If not, we are as susceptible as anyone else is. “I know the section tournament on the girls’ side is going to be one brutal battle with eight very good teams fighting it out,” the coach concluded. With the wins Holbrook improves to 20-9 for the season. The Lady Roadrunners were ranked fifth in power points with a 12-4 record heading into this week’s action. After hosting St. Johns on Tuesday they will finish the regular season at a tough place to play on Friday, facing Chinle in the Wildcat Den. The section tournament will begin next week at either Chinle or Winslow.