Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

3A Girls, Boys State Tournament: Winslow, Holbrook chalk up victories

February 17, 2019 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


Winslow girls and boys and Holbrook girls, chalked up victories during the 3A State Tournament this past weekend.

Girls

State Tournament Second Round

Winslow 38, Ganado 32

Winslow's solid fourth quarter output propelled the Lady Bulldogs to a 38-32 victory in the second round of the girl's 3A State Tournament over the Ganado Lady Hornets, in a game played at Snowflake High School gymnasium.

Winslow, 22-5, advances into the State Tournament Elite 8, facing the Window Rock Lady Scouts, 14-15, at 2:45 p.m. on Monday at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott, Arizona.

Ganado, 21-13, completed its season with the loss.

Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan praised both teams for their performance and effort on both ends of the floor.

"Both teams played very hard for the entire game," Jordan said. "My team used a great half court defense to spark the offense. Our fourth quarter scoring and free throws were the keys to our win."

Ganado raced out to a 12-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. Winslow stormed back, nailing 19 points in the second quarter. Ganado hit for 10 points in the second period. The Lady Hornets held 22-21 halftime lead.

The tempo of the game slowed down in the third quarter. The Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady Hornets, 4-3. The game was knotted at 25-25 at the end of the third quarter. Winslow tallied 13 points to Ganado's seven points during the fourth quarter.

Kylie Begay rattled the cages for 21 points and Justine Butterfield added 12 points for Winslow.

Jayla McIntosh poured in 14 points to lead Ganado.

Girls

State Tournament Second Round

Holbrook 64, Fountain Hills 38

Holbrook turned in a strong second half to post a 64-38 victory over Fountain Hills in the second round of the girl's 3A State Tournament, in a game played at Show Low High School gymnasium.

Holbrook earned a berth in Monday's Elite 8 with the victory. The Lady Roadrunners, 24-4, faces Tanque Verde, 23-7, at 1 p.m. at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott, Arizona.

Fountain Hills, 11-10, finished its basketball season with the loss.

Holbrook held a 16-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Fountain Hills outscored the Lady Roadrunners, 12-9, in the second quarter. Holbrook took a 25-22 lead at halftime.

Holbrook shot well and played stellar defense in the third quarter. The Lady Roadrunners outscored Fountain Hills, 21-3, to take a 46-25 lead at the end of the third quarter. The Lady Roadrunners continued to shoot well in the fourth period, netting 18 points. Fountain hills canned 13 points during the fourth quarter.

Mayeha Aberle canned 20 points, Madison Chappell and Megan Cummings both added 13 points for Holbrook.

"Matehya Aberle had a good game," said Holbrook head coach Greg Perkins. "We rebounded the best we have all season with 13 offensive boards. We started well on a 16-1 run. Then we let them back in by the half. We started the third on a 14-0 run. We played well in the second half. Was good to get that first state win under our belts. Now we focus on a very good Tanque Verde team."

Boys

State Tournament Second Round

Winslow 83, Coolidge 63

Zachary Wagner, Dustin Richard, Elias Stewart and Tyrell Young combined for 72 points to lead the Winslow Bulldogs to an 83-63 victory over the Coolidge Bears in the second round of the boys 3A State Tournament at Show Low High School gymnasium.

Wagner poured in 27 points and pulled down 14 rebounds. Richard netted 19 points, Stewart tallied 15 points and Young canned 11 points for Winslow.

Nick Harrison erupted for 23 points and Guadalupe Perkins added 13 points for Coolidge.

Winslow, 23-4, meets Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, 24-4, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday in the Elite 8 at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott, Arizona.

Coolidge finished its hoop season at 16-14.

Utilizing its uptempo game, Winslow outscored Coolidge, 22-10, in the opening frame. Coolidge had an offensive running game of its own, nailing 24 points in the second quarter. The Bulldogs hit for 18 points. Winslow held a 40-34 halftime lead.

Winslow outscored Coolidge, 21-12, taking a 61-46 advantage when the third quarter expired. The Bulldogs outpointed the Bears, 22-17, during the fourth quarter.

"Zachary (Wagner) had a monster game, scoring 27 points and grabbing 14 rebounds," Winslow head coach Scott Corum said. "We have done a really good job of getting the ball down on the block to our posts the last few games. Saturday night was no exception. Dustin (Richard) got off to a good start, scoring 13 points in the first quarter."

Corum continued, "Darius (James) got into early foul trouble and had to sit out much of the game, including the entire second quarter. It was nice to see that we could still play well with our leaders not on the floor. I give Tyrell (Young) a lot of credit for that. He stepped up and ran the point guard position when Darius was on the bench."