Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

3A Hoops: Holbrook girls, Chinle boys gain freedom game victories

December 6, 2019 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


In a pair of 3A basketball rivalries, the Holbrook Roadrunners edged the Chinle Lady Wildcats, 41-40, in girl's action and in boy's hoops, Chinle Wildcats outlasted Holbrook, 74-67, in overtime in contests played at the Wildcat Den in Chinle.

GIRLS

HOLBROOK 41, CHINLE 40

Chinle led, 28-27, at the end of the third quarter, before Holbrook outscored the Lady Wildcats, 14-12, in the fourth period for a 41-40 victory.

Chinle held an 11-8 first quarter lead. The Lady Wildcats continued to lead at halftime, 20-16, after outscoring the Roadrunners, 9-8.

Holbrook stormed back in the third quarter, netting 11 points. The Lady Wildcats poured in eight points. Chinle held a 28-27 lead at the end of the third period. During the fourth period, Holbrook tallied 14 points to Chinle's 12 points in a game decider.

Sam Billie canned 13 points and Mika Joe chipped in with 11 points for Holbrook.

Brandi Clah rattled the cages with 12 points to pace Chinle. Tea Murray added 10 points for the Lady Wildcats.

Holbrook head coach Greg Perkins praised his role players in tonight's game.

"Good game by my role players tonight," Perkins said. "Sam (Billie) and Mika (Joe) really stepped up along with Jocelyn Thomas. We missed too many free throws again. Defensively, we played well enough to hold onto the one point win."

BOYS

CHINLE 74, HOLBROOK 67 (OT)

Chinle outscored Holbrook, 11-4, in the five minute overtime period to post a 74-67 victory.

Holbrook held a five-point advantage, 19-14, at the end of the first quarter. The Roadrunners battled back in the second quarter, outscoring Chinle, 17-14, to take a 33-31 halftime lead.

Chinle and Holbrook scored basket for basket during the third quarter. The Wildcats and the Roarunners each tallied 18 points apiece. Holbrook took a 51-49 lead at the end of the third quarter. Chinle outscored Holbrook, 14-12, during the fourth quarter. The game was tied at 63-63, sending the game into overtime.

Chinle outscored Holbrook, 11-4, during the overtime period t post a seven point victory.

Chinle senior Cooper Burbank led all scorers, tallying 28 points. Sophomore point guard Kylen Yazzie added 17 points for the Wildcats. Malik Bahe contributed 11 points for Chinle.

Eric Baldonado led Holbrook with 23 points. Damien Clark added 12 points and Anthony Nelson canned 11 points for the Roadrunners.

"We made some progress in playing better as a team on both ends of the court," said Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza.