Third seeded Holbrook had their season ended on Friday night with an upset loss to No. 6 Winslow at Tony Munoz gym. Winslow came into the game playing at a high level over the course of the last two weeks, and they continued with a hot shooting hand draining four three point shots in the first half building a nine point lead at the half. Holbrook fought back quickly in the third, cutting the lead to just two points at 28-26, behind a big quarter from Matehya Aberle who netted eight of her team high 18 in the frame. Each time Holbrook fought their way back into the contest Winslow had the answer and never gave up the lead. Mika Joe’s three point shot in the final minute made the score 52-51, but after two successful free throws by the Bulldogs left them with a three-point lead, Holbrook mishandled the inbounds pass and never had a chance for a game tying three with 16 seconds left on the clock. Holbrook’s turnover forced them to foul and Winslow closed out the game at the line for the 58-53 win. Winslow’s Oniah Barton-Paddock led her team with 18 points, tying Aberle for game high honors. The senior shot the ball well and had a strong second period where she netted 12 of her 18 points. Sierra Singer added 9, as did freshman Jaci Gonnie. Winslow connected on six three-point field goals and shot extremely well from the free throw line where they converted 16 of 21 attempts, which is really where they won the game. Along with Aberle’s 18 points, Terry Nez played well before fouling out with 9 points. Abigail Benally was hobbled with foul trouble for much of the game but still finished with 8 points. Abigaye Nez added 5; Jineane Cummings, 4; Talynn Spencer, 4; Mika Joe, 4; and Makani Tsipai added 2. Holbrook made five three-point field goals but struggled at the free throw line making just 15 of 26 attempts. “Give Jerron and his girls credit. They came in playing well and continued that level of play in this game. They had been shooting the ball well, and every time we left one of them open, they made us pay. They also shot very well from the line, wherein contrast we struggled. You just can’t miss 11 free throws in the state tournament and expect to win,” stated Roadrunner Coach Greg Perkins. “Matehya played well battling through an injury she suffered the night before in practice and really gave us all she had in the second half. Abigail had to sit much of the first half and some of the second with foul problems, which really made it difficult to get into the flow of the game but she also gave us a lot in this game and during the season. Both of those seniors will be playing at the next level. The bottom line is Winslow played the better game and deserved to advance,” he added. Perkins stated that he and the team were glad they were able to play a season at all. “It was a little disjointed throughout with a couple of pauses along the way but I can’t be more proud of the girls. They overcame a lot of individual and team obstacles along the way and gave Holbrook a good season. We didn’t advance as far as we had hoped for but I am grateful we were able to play and stayed safe in the process. Holbrook finished the shortened season with an overall record of 13-5.
