The Lady Roadrunners may have earned a split in their two final home court games before the break, but they are still in search of their identity as they head towards the second half of the season. Hosting a struggling Chino Valley team on Thursday night, Holbrook prevailed 58-27 in what can only be described as an ugly win. Holbrook played fairly well through the first eight minutes to lead 19-4 with eight Holbrook players scoring. Holbrook’s defense again did well in the second period, helping the Birds build a 34-7 halftime lead. Tyleashia Yazzie netted six in the frame for Holbrook. Chino outscored Holbrook by a single point in the third but Holbrook won the fourth. Madison Chappell led Holbrook in scoring with 13 points. Yazzie added 11; Joycelynn Thomas, 6, Abigayle Nez, 6; Desirae Bain, 5; Jineane Cummings, 5; Talynn Spencer, 4; Mika Joe, 3; Terry Nez, 2; Shan Footracer, 2; and Sam Billie added a free throw. Holbrook made eight of 10 free throws and hit six three-point field goals. Chino Valley made six of 10 charity tosses and hit one three-point field goal. Friday night Holbrook welcomed in Window Rock. Chappell scored all eight of the team’s first quarter points helping the Birds to an 8-7 lead. Things changed quickly in the second where the Scouts outscored a cold shooting Holbrook unit and grabbed a 22-12 lead. Holbrook did make three treys in the third period, with one each from Cummings, Bain and Nez, but they still only trimmed one point off Window Rock’s lead. Early in the fourth Holbrook made it a three-point game, but down the stretch the team couldn’t make any of their multiple open court shots, including several layups which resulted in a 43-34 home court loss. Chappell finished with a triple double. She scored 20 points, had 10 rebounds and 10 steals. The rest of Holbrook’s team netted a total of 14 points. Window Rock was led by Rachel Smiley with 11. Jana Solee and Bayle Talkalai each had 10. “Madison was incredible. Unfortunately, she didn’t get much help from her teammates. We really struggled shooting the ball from the outside make just eight percent from the three-point line. Playing without a true post player, we knew the Scouts wouldn’t come out of their zone and Madison could only do so much in the paint. This team really needs to focus and come back from the break with a new effort if we want to even make the state tournament, let alone advance very far through the bracket,” stated Coach Greg Perkins. “Hopefully we will be able to answer many questions we still have at the Chandler Prep Tournament over the break. We need to find answers for sure. I know this team has what it takes. We just have to play smarter, play harder, play with confidence, and get in better shape,” he said. Holbrook ended the first half of the season with an overall record of 8-4. They are just 2-4 in the more important regular season contests. Holbrook will face Florence in the first bracket game at the Chandler Prep Tournament at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2. They will have four total games played over the three-day tournament. They have won this 70 plus team tournament the past two years. This year they are 76 teams spread out over five brackets. Holbrook is in the top level bracket along with several 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A teams. Holbrook will play either Sunrise Mountain, or Tanque Verde at 9 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3.
