**The AIA has announced that it has reinstated Chinle to the 3A girls basketball semifinal in Sabino’s place. The Lady Roadrunners will now have to go up against Chinle to decide who will go to the championship game. The game begins at at 6 p.m. on Friday at Gila River Arena**
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Holbrook’s Lady Roadrunner’s have advanced to the final four in Glendale thanks to their 57-45 come from behind win over Tanque Verde in Prescott on Monday afternoon. The Lady Roadrunners started well enough, holding a 13-9 lead after the opening frame with eight of the 13 coming from Matehya Aberle.
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In the second, the Hawks post player took over scoring 14 of the teams 20 points in the period building as much as an eight point lead on the Roadrunners. Megan Cummings nailed three triples and Desirae Bain added another in a quick stretch late in the period helping the Roadrunners tie the game at 29-29 at the half.
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In the third the Cummings and Bain each added another three, as Holbrook took a three-point lead into the final frame.
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Holbrook fell behind early in the fourth and trailed by as much as six points before mounting a comeback. The Roadrunner defense stepped up and held Tanque Verde to just four points in the quarter. Offensively Holbrook worked their way to the free throw line where they made enough free throws late to pull away for the double-digit lead.
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Cummings led Holbrook with 15 points; Bain added 13; Aberle, 12; Madison Chappell, 9; Talynn Spencer, 5; and Tristen Ambrose helped with 3.
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“They are a big physical team and we didn’t really respond well to that in the first half. We were fortunate to have some three-point shots in a quick stretch to get us back into the game. In the second half we played much better defensively. Megan and Desirae both played well, and Madison was solid once again. Talynn Spencer really gave us a boost down the stretch with her ball handling and free throws. We didn’t play many girls, so the veterans really had to step up and get the job done. Now we are back in the final four with a chance to win it all. This is an amazing group of young ladies that I am extremely proud to be coaching,” stated Coach Greg Perkins.
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The other winners advancing to Phoenix were No. 1 Sabino, No. 2 Page and No. 6 Winslow. On Tuesday, the AIA disqualified Sabino for several violations leaving an empty spot in the semi final bracket, which has allowed Holbrook to advance to the championship game on Saturday where they will face the winner between Winslow and Page for the title on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Glendale.
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