Holbrook girls and Chinle boys opened its high school basketball season with victories in freedom games last night at Tony Munoz Memorial Gymnasium in Holbrook.

Holbrook outscored Chinle, 4-2, in the four-minute overtime period to post a 43-41 victory in the girl's game.

Chinle 6-foot-2 junior shooting guard Cooper Burbank turned in a stellar performance, canning 24 points, to lead the Wildcats to a 63-37 win over Holbrook in the boy's contest.

Girls

Holbrook 43, Chinle 41 (OT)

Holbrook utilized its half-court defense to contain Chinle's offense throughout the game, to chalk up its first win of the young season.

Holbrook girl's head coach Greg Perkins said the young and inexperienced Lady Roadrunners did a good job defensively.

"Our half-court defense won the game for us," Perkins said. "We still need some work on our defense .... our half-court defense. Our youth showed tonight. There are other areas of our game we need to work on. We didn't shoot well at the free throw line. For the game, we made 10-of-23 free throws. Tonight's game gives me an idea what we need to work on."

The Lady Roadrunners raced out to a six-point advantage, 12-6, at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Wildcats battled back in the second period, outscoring the Lady Roadrunners, 7-6. Holbrook held a 18-13 lead at the end of the first half.

Holbrook and Chinle traded baskets throughout the third quarter. The two teams both canned 10 points apiece in the third period, as the Lady Roadrunners, held a 28-23 advantage at the end of the third quarter.

Chinle knocked down key baskets during the fourth quarter, cutting Holbrook's lead. The Lady Wildcats tallied 16 points to the Lady Roadrunners' 11 points, tying the game at 39-39, sending the game into overtime.

Both teams played patiently during the overtime period. Holbrook outscored Chinle, 4-2, to take a two-point win.

"The girls did a good job, containing Chinle's Stacey Begay throughout the first half," Perkins said. "Stacey did not score in the first half. Stacey hurt us in the second half, scoring 14 points."

Desirae Bain talled 14 points, followed by Madison Chappell with nine points and Micah Joe added eight points in a winning effort for Holbrook.

Holbrook, 1-0, entertains the Window Rock Lady Scouts next Tuesday, November 27 in Holbrook.

Topping Chinle offensively were Stacey Begay with 14 points, Briana Clah added 10 points and Aisha Ashley tallied nine points.

Chinle, 0-1, hosts the Pinon Lady Eagles next Tuesday, November 27 at the Wildcat Den in Chinle.

Boys

Chinle 63, Holbrook 37

Chinle shot well in the first quarter, pouring in 20 points, while Holbrook could score six points, as the Wildcats took home a 63-37 win in a season opener for both teams in Holbrook.

Chinle boy's head coach Raul Mendoza credited the team's defense with the win.

"The kids did a good job on defense," Mendoza, who had two previous head coaching stints at Holbrook. "The kids put pressure on Holbrook, forcing turnovers. We have to work on our layups. After our defensive steals, we missed six layups."

In the second quarter, Chinle continued to shoot well. The Wildcats netted 17 points. Holbrook battled back in the second period, canning 12 points. Chinle held a 37-18 lead at halftime.

The pace slowed down in the third quarter. In a low scoring third quarter, the Wildcats nailed 11 points to the Roadrunners' nine points. The Wildcats extended its lead to 21 points, 48-27.

Chinle outscored Holbrook, 15-10, in the final eight minutes of the game, for a 26-point victory.

"It was a good, team effort," Mendoza said. "Overall, the kids did a good job, shooting and playing defense. Offensively, we need to be patient. We didn't capitalize on some of our opportunities. The kids worked hard. We need to make some corrections on both sides of the court."

Holbrook, 0-1, entertains the Window Rock Fighting Scouts next Tuesday, November 27 in Holbrook at 7:30 p.m.

Kobi Koerperich led Holbrook with nine points.

Chinle, 1-0, hosts the Pinon Eagles next Tuesday, November 27 at the Wildcat Den at 7:30 p.m.

Cooper Burbank knocked down 24 points, while Curtis Begay added 10 points for Chinle.