The Lady Roadrunners went 3-1 in the top level diamond bracket at the Epic Tourney New Year’s Eve Classic held Dec. 28-30 in Chandler last week. Holbrook opened tournament play against 4A ALA Queen Creek and after starting slowly in the first period they pulled away in the final three quarters to win the game, 57-22. Abigayle Nez led the team in scoring with 13, Talynn Spencer added 11 and Sam Billie netted nine. That win advanced the team to face 5A Horizon early Wednesday afternoon. Holbrook struggled to score in the paint in this contest but still had a four-point game with less than a minute to go. Eventually the Roadrunners missed opportunities caught up to them and they fell 50-42. “We took 21 more shots than they did but only shot 25% from the field, so it really hurt our chances,” said Coach Greg Perkins. Talynn Spencer led the team in scoring with 11 points. Shan Footracer added 8. Holbrook dropped in the bracket to face Phoenix Country Day School on Wednesday evening. The Roadrunners fell behind by double digits in the first half but closed the gap late in the second and trailed by seven at the half. They trimmed three of the lead in the third but outscored the Eagles by 10 in the final eight minutes to secure the 54-48 win. “This was an athletic team with a good post player, but our girls toughed it out to get the win,” said Perkins. Abigayle Nez led all scorers with a 21-point effort. Talynn Spencer and Sam Billie each netted eight in the win. Holbrook’s final game of the tournament on Thursday evening was a match up with a familiar foe. Winslow had worked their way through the bracket and met up with Holbrook in a rare match up outside of either east region or state tournament play. Winslow came out of the gate quickly led by 11 points from Kylie Begay in the first period and led by five after one. That lead grew to as many as 11 in the second period before Holbrook made a late run to cut it to 27-21 at the half. The Lady Bulldogs made five three-point field goals in the first half, but Holbrook countered with seven treys in the second half to get back into the game. Holbrook hit five of those in the third, quickly tying the game at 31-31. From that point on the game went back and forth until back-to-back threes from Talynn Spencer and Alyssa Yazzie gave Holbrook a working cushion late in the game. Winslow made it a one-point game with just over a minute left, but Holbrook was able to hold on and get the 53-48 win. Abigayle Nez and Talynn Spencer each netted 13, Noheah Aberle added 8, and Terry Nez helped with 5. Winslow’s Kyle Begay led all scorers with 24 points. Holbrook enters this week with an overall mark of 11-2 and they remain 3-0 in regular season games. They will have a busy January with 12 scheduled games on tap beginning with a trip to Round Valley on Thursday. On Saturday, Holbrook will host ALA Gilbert North. Next Monday they travel to Payson then next Wednesday will be their make-up home game with Chinle.
