With a strong defensive effort in the final eight minutes, the Lady Roadrunners pulled away from then fifth ranked Tuba City on Thursday night to capture a 62-49 victory. Two nights later, the Holbrook squad defeated Valley Sanders, 57-47. In a game which went back and forth through the first three periods, Holbrook’s defense clamped down in the fourth, holding Tuba City’s Lady Warriors without a field goal in the final eight minutes. “The fourth period was some of the best defense we have played all year, especially against a team as good at Tuba City,” said Coach Greg Perkins. “Our four seniors really stepped up in this game, not only in scoring, but they led us on the defensive end as well. This is the time of year when we need a lot from the seniors and they need to continue to step up their games to the next level.” Holbrook got balanced scoring from their four upperclassmen, including Rochelle Nez with 16, Cheyenne Lester and Summer Olney with 12 each, and Teyah Goldtooth with 11. Quanyyah Lester added 6; Tyler Pacheco, 3; and Ariyana Pratt, 2. Holbrook made 14 of 19 free throws and connected on four three-point shots. On Saturday, Holbrook avenged an earlier season loss to Valley by handing the Lady Pirates a 57-47 home court loss. The Roadrunners jumped out to a 9-0 lead only to have the home team close the gap to two points by the end of a high scoring first period. Cheyenne Lester scored seven of Holbrook’s 16 first quarter points. In the second six Roadrunners contributed to the scoring, helping Holbrook build a nine-point halftime lead. Much like the final period in the Tuba City game, Holbrook played well on defense in the third quarter, giving up just two points to Valley while building a 17-point lead heading into the fourth. Valley’s outstanding guard Latisha Nastacio and her teammates quickly wiped away all but seven off that lead in the first half of the fourth period before Holbrook’s starting unit regained the momentum and closed out the 10-point win. Nastacio netted 19 of her game high 21 points in the fourth quarter, partly by hitting five three-point shots. “We appeared to have things under control until the fourth when their guard went crazy on us,” said Coach Perkins. “We were trying to keep them off the three-point line, but she still managed to make five in the fourth. “Teyah really stepped up her game for us down the stretch, making her way to the line, where she made all six free throw attempts in the fourth to help seal the win. Cheyenne also made some big shots for us and Rochelle was able to get some key scores in the second half. Summer struggled early against their guards, but she handled the ball much better in the second half and got the offense working for us. “The younger ones coming off the bench need to do a better job of maintaining the lead, which we need to focus on for the future. Overall, it was a good win for us. They have always given us fits with their speed and quickness.” Cheyenne Lester led the way in scoring with 17 points. Goldtooth added 14; Nez, 9; Quanyyah Lester, 6; Pacheco and Pratt, 4 each; Olney, 2; and Dishie Kinlicheenie, 1. Holbrook made three treys and went 12 for 15 at the free throw line. Valley was led by Nastacio with 21. Cherelle Speen added 15; Terri Mitchell, 8; Mariah Soria, 2; and Tilda Hubbell, 1. The Pirates made seven three-point shots and went six for 11 at the line. After hosting Snowflake on Tuesday night, Holbrook will close out the regular season on Friday, Feb. 6, against Alchesay at Whiteriver. Seniors scheduled to be recognized on Tuesday night were Summer Olney, Cheyenne Lester, Rochelle Nez, and Teyah Goldtooth, along managers Elizabeth Nockideneh and Amanda Terry. Holbrook moved to 20-7 with the two wins and will be playing in the first round of the sectional tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Show Low, most likely against Snowflake.