The Lady Lobos headed to the state tournament as the 15th overall seed and were slated to play host to No. 18 Coolidge on Tuesday night in Snowflake. If they won that match-up, they will have the daunting task of taking on second seeded Page on Friday night, Feb. 17, on a neutral court.
Playing in the East Regional tournament last week, the third seeded Lady Lobos took care of sixth seeded Show Low on Tuesday night. Snowflake started quickly, building an eight-point advantage in the first period and never trailed after that. The Lobos held the Lady Cougars to just nine points in the first half of the 56-34 win.
Nikita Olms led the way with 18 points. Elle Flake added 9 with 10 rebounds; Breklee Tanner, 6 points; Jessica Neff, Emily Ballard and Shanae Stratton, 5 each; and Bailee Flake and Camaria Reidhead, 4 each.
That win moved them into the East Region Semi-final for the rubber match game with Winslow. Each team won at home during the regular season and the Lady Bulldogs kept that trend going, defeating Snowflake with a strong second period, which led to a 57-46 final. Trailing 32-17 at the half, the Lobos came out strong in the third with a 23-point effort, but came up short in the end.
Ballard led the team in scoring with 15 points. Olms and Bailee Flake added 9 each; Stratton, 7; and Elle Flake, 5.
With the loss Snowflake dropped down in the bracket to host Blue Ridge on Friday night in a game for third and fourth places. The Lady Yellowjackets knew they needed the win to make the state tournament field, but the Lobos put an end to the ‘Jackets hopes with a 51-36 win.
