The Lobos are heading to the sectional tournament on a roll, having won their last 14 games. Snowflake easily cruised past Joseph City last Tuesday, then controlled the game throughout against Safford on Thursday and won the season finale on Friday at Blue Ridge.

Tuesday’s game at Joseph City saw the Lobos move out in front early to lead by 18 at the half, then push that margin to an 86-56 road win. The Wildcats played better than in their previous meeting, but Snowflake was just the better team from the outset.

Chase Walden led the Lobos with 19 points. Rick Shumway added 12, Tanner Yellowhair, Dallin Merrell and Braccin Tanner each netted 9, Reggie Peterson, Doug Brimhall and Landon Godfrey added 5 each, and Dustin Baldwin helped with 3.

Snowflake 20 21 24 21 86

Joseph City 12 11 13 20 56

On Thursday the Lobos welcomed in the Bulldogs from Safford, who, after the long road trip, found themselves trailing by six at the end of the first period. Snowflake gradually pulled away in each quarter, eventually ending the game on top 66-53.

“We controlled the game from the beginning, but played just good enough to comfortably stay in front the whole time,” said Coach Andy Wood.

Walden again led in scoring with 15 points. Yellowhair added 12; Brimhall, 11; Merrell, 8; Jake Shumway, 7; Peterson, 6; Rick Shumway, 4; and Tanner, 3.

Safford 13 15 12 13 53

Snowflake 19 16 15 16 66

The season finale was against Blue Ridge, where the Lobos built a 20-point lead early in the fourth only to see it slip down to just five by the end of the game. Snowflake led 39-20 at the half, but in the fourth failed to make a field goal, and hit just eight of 16 free throws in the final eight minutes, which was enough to get their 14th straight win 62-57 and secure their position for now as the number two team in the power rankings behind Holbrook.

Snowflake 20 19 15 8 62

Blue Ridge 12 8 13 24 57

The Lobos are 22-3 on the season, and head into the sectional tournament as the number two seed. They will face St. Johns at 7:30 tonight (Feb. 8) in Winslow. With a win they would advance to face either No. 3 Window Rock or No. 6 Piñon at 4:30 p.m. on Friday in Chinle. A win there would put them into the championship game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Snowflake ends the regular season with an overall mark of 24-3 and at 17-1 in power point contests.