Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

3A East girls, boys basketball roundup: Winslow, Holbrook victorious

December 10, 2018 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


3A East Region schools, Winslow and Holbrook girls and boys chalked up impressive victories this past weekend.

Winslow Lady Bulldogs knocked off the Flagstaff Lady Eagles, 52-46, en route to earning the tournament championship in the Pepsi Invitational in Flagstaff this past Saturday.

Holbrook went toe-to-toe with Fountain Hills before the Lady Roadrunners outlasted the Lady Falcons, 43-37, in a freedom game played at Tony Munoz Gymnasium in Holbrook.

In a boy's contest, Winslow stopped Lee Williams, 61-54, for third place honors in the Pepsi Invitational in Flagstaff this past Saturday.

Holbrook posted a 49-30 victory in a freedom game In Tony Munoz Gymnastium in Holbrook.

Girls

Winslow 52, Flagstaff 46

It was revenge time for Winslow, as the Lady Bulldogs pulled off a six-point victory, 52-46, over the Flagstaff Lady Eagles for the Pepsi Invitational in Flagstaff.

Earlier in this young season, Flagstaff defeated Winslow in a freedom contest.

Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan said the Lady Bulldogs worked hard to chalk up a victory.

"the key to our win was that we played good half court defense and we eliminated Flagstaff's second shot opportunities," Jordan said. "Also, we limited our own turnovers and we hit clutch free throws. The difference from the previous meeting was that we hit our free throws down the stretch. We did a better job on their shooters."

Winslow took a four-point lead, 11-7, at the end of the first quarter. Flagstaff stormed back in the second quarter, outscoring Winslow, 13-9, tying the game at 20-20 at halftime.

The Lady Bulldogs shot well in the third stanza, canning 14 points to the Lady Eagles' seven points. Winslow took a 34-27 lead at the end of the three periods. In an uptempo fourth quarter, Flagstaff outscored Winslow, 19-18.

"The entire team stepped up in the game and throughout the tournament," Jordan said.

Winslow's Justine Butterfield and Kristin Wagner were both voted to the all-tournament team.

Justine Butterfield scorche the cords for 16 points to pace Winslow. Brianna Little and Andrea Willeto both tallied 10 points apiece for Winslow.

Gracelyn Nez topped Flagstaff, canning 15 points and Josie Faull added 14 points.

Girls

Holbrook 43, Fountain Hills 37

Holbrook struggled in the first half and played a strong third and fourth quarter to post a 43-37 freedom game victory.

"We struggled in the first half with foul trouble," said Holbrook head coach Greg Perkins. "In the second half, we were able to pull out to a 10 point lead, then they scored some late to make it a six point game."

Holbrook led, 11-6, at the end of the first quarter. Fountain Hills took advantage of Holbrook's foul trouble, outscoring the Lady Roadrunners, 14-5, taking a 20-16 lead at halftime.

The Lady Roadrunners turned the tables in the second half. Holbrook outscored the Lady Falcons, 14-8, taking a 30-28 lead when the third quarter expired. Holbrook netted 13 points to Fountain Hills' nine markers during rhe fourth quarter.

"Fountain Hills played tough," said Perkins. "They are physical, which bothered us. With our foul problems, our young girls got quite a bit of playing time and we confirmed what we already knew that we need a lot of work. Always good to get down though, regardless of how bad it looks. Fountain Hills is a solid team and well coached."

Madison Chappell canned 13 points and Matehya Aberle added 11 points for Holbrook.

Fountain Hills' Jocelyn McCarthy led all scorers, knocking down 25 points.

Boys

Winslow 61, Lee Williams 54

Winslow smarted from early season loss to Lee Williams, to chalk up a 61-54 victory for third place in the Pepsi Invitational in Flagstaff.

Winslow raced out to a 14-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs continued its lead, taking a 31-26 advantage at the end of the first half.

Lee Williams stormed back, shooting well in the third quarter. Lee Williams outscored Winslow, 20-12, for a 46-43 lead. The Bulldogs stepped up in the fourth quarter, outscoring Lee Williams, 18-8, to post the victory.

Tyrell Young netted 24 points, followed by Dustin Richard with 14 points, Zachary Wagner added 10 points and Darius James tallied nine points for Winslow.

Boys

Holbrook 49, Fountain Hills 30

Holbrook led from start to finish, as the Roadrunners raced to a 49-30 victory over Fountain Hills.

Holbrook held a 20-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Roadrunners outscored the Falcons, 15-8, talking a commanding 35-17 lead at halftime.

The tempo of the game slowed down in the third quarter. Holbrook outscored Fountain Hills, 7-5, for a 42-22 lead. The Falcons scored eight points to the Roadrunners' seven points in the fourth frame.

Tynen Thomas scored 12 points, followed by Kobi Koerperich with 11 points and Blayne Nelson with eight points for Holbrook.

Wesley Cottrill netted seven points, followed by Luke Giger and Elijah Vargas with six points apiece. for Fountain Hills.