By Greg Perkins Winter sports have officially arrived for all participating schools in the state. Due to COVID-19 not all schools are participating this season. After several delays, and two separate AIA votes, local fans of basketball and wrestling will get a chance to watch their teams hit the courts or the mats, albeit most of the viewing will be via internet at this point in the season. While the AIA has agreed to reinstate winter sports, several modifications must be met for the sports to take place. Two of the most stand out protocols will be athletes wearing masks during competition and fans being very limited in attendance, and only at home events. No fans at this point will be allowed to attend road activities. Currently, only two parents or guardians will be allowed entry into home events, in efforts to keep facility capacities at a low level. Schools or districts can individually determine not to allow any fans as well. Holbrook, Snowflake, and Joseph City are all planning a return to the hardwood or wrestling mats this week. After rescheduling their two opening games, Holbrook plans to start their season at St. Johns on Saturday evening. Both Roadrunner squads will have just junior varsity and varsity levels this year. Holbrook’s boys team went 20-12 last season advancing to the second round of the 3A state tournament. The Birds will play at Blue Ridge next Tuesday, then visit Snowflake next Thursday. The boys’ first home game will be on Feb. 2 when they host Payson. The Lady Roadrunners are coming off a 25-7 campaign from last year, which ended in the quarterfinal round vs Page. Like the boys’ team, the Lady Birds will play at St. Johns on Saturday, then travel to Blue Ridge next Tuesday, they will renew their rivalry with the Lady Lobos in Snowflake on Jan. 28. Both Snowflake games last year were classics decided in the final moments. Holbrook’s first home game will be on Jan. 30 when they host Flagstaff. Snowflake’s boys’ team went 18-13 last year but found their groove late in the season before bowing out of the state tournament in the quarterfinal round. After opening this season at home vs Chino Valley on Tuesday, they will host Round Valley on Thursday. Friday, Safford makes a visit. Snowflake will open east region play next Tuesday with a short trip to Payson. The Lady Lobos return every starter from a team that went 22-8 last year. Snowflake’s girls were also eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament. With the majority of his roster returning head Coach Joe Clare has the Lobos positioned as the favorite to take the region crown away from Holbrook who has won the past four east region titles. Snowflake will host Chino Valley and Round Valley, but will travel to Safford on Friday. Joseph City is also set to return to action. Their boys’ basketball team went 21-9 a year ago before falling in the 1A State play in game. They will be led by 6–7-inch senior Jay Edwards. The Wildcats opened at Seligman on Tuesday, then will play at St. Johns on Friday. The Lady Wildcats struggled mightily last year, winning only four games and they hope to show improvement this year. Like the boys’ team they will have two games this week. Wrestling is also set to begin. Like basketball wrestling has undergone many modifications that will not be familiar to their fans. Only two parents or guardians will be allowed at these events as well. Wrestlers will also be wearing masks. One of the largest adjustments is that wrestlers can only wrestle one match per day, meaning just dual meets are on their schedule. Holbrook is slated to open their dual meet schedule in Camp Verde on Friday. On Monday they will travel to Bradshaw Mountain. Holbrook and Joseph City both wrestle in Division 4. Joseph City will be in Winslow on Wednesday night and Friday will travel to Round Valley. Next Wednesday Holbrook will host Joseph City. Snowflake competes in Division 3 and will start their season on the road at American Leadership Academy Ironwood on Saturday. Next Wednesday they will host Payson.
