Oree Foster
Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

3A Girls State Tournament: Holbrook, Winslow punch ticket to Final Four

February 18, 2019 by Oree Foster, AZPreps365


The Holbrook Lady Roadrunners and the Winslow Lady Bulldogs, two 3A East Region powers, both punch a ticket to this Friday's 3A State Tournament Final Four at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.

The Elite 8 games were played at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley, Arizona on Monday.

No. 4 Holbrook outlasted No. 5 Tanque Verde Lady Hawks, 57-45, in an Elite 8 contest. Tanque Verde completed its season at 23-8.

Holbrook, 25-4, will play at 6 p.m., facing the winner of the Chinle/Sabino contest in the Final Four.

In the second afternoon game of the day, No. 6 Winslow eliminated No. 14 Window Rock Lady Scouts, 59-56. Window Rock finished its season at 14-16.

Winslow, 23-5, is scheduled to play at 2:30 p.m., taking on the survivor of the Page/Tuba City game in the Final Four.

Holbrook 57, Tanque Verde 45

Holbrook utilized three strong quarters to post a 57-45 victory over Tanque Verde.

The Lady Roadrunners outscored the Lady Hawks, 13-9 in the first quarter, 13-10, in the third period, and 15-6, in the fatal fourth quarter.

Holbrook head coach Greg Perkins said the Lady Roadrunners had to work hard to post a victory.

"We had to come from behind to win the game," Perkins said. "Mdison (Chappell) was tough as usual. Desirae (Bain) and Megan (Cummings) played great. The turning point of the game was trhe hard foul on Desirae. It woke us up."

Holbrook took a 13-9 lead at the end of the first quarter. Tanque Verde battled back, outscoring Holbrook, 20-16, in the second quarter. The game was knotted 29-29 at halftime.

The Lady Roadrunners took a three point lead, 42-39, at the end of the third stanza. Holbrook netted 15 points to Tanque Verde, 15-6, during the fourth quarter.

Megan Cummings tallied 15 points, followed by Desirae Bain chipped in 13 points and Matehya Aberle added 12 points for Holbrook.

Nikya Orange poured in 21 points to pace Tanque Verde.

Winslow 59, Window Rock 56

Four Winslow players scored in double figures to pace the Lady Bulldogs to a 59-56 victory over the Window Rock Lady Scouts.

Winslow took a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Window Rock battled back in the second period, canning 20 points. The Lady Bulldogs netted 16 points in the second stanza. Winslow held a 31-27 halftime lead.

The game remained close at the end of the third quarter. The Lady Scouts outscored the Lady Bulldogs, 15-12. Winslow held a 43-42 advantage at the end of the third frame. Winslow netted 16 points to Window Rock's 14 points during the fatal fourth quarter.

Justine Butterfield poured in 20 points to lead Winslow. Kylie Begay added 12 points and Andrea Willeto and Brianna Little both canned 10 points for Winslow.

Winslow head coach Jerron Jordan was proud of the Lady Bulldogs overall team effort.

"My team was able to get key defensive stops in the fourth quarter from our zone and man presses," Jordan said. "My team also got two important rebounds late in the game off our free throws."

Jana Solee tallied 21 points, followed by Asia James with 11 points and Bayle Talkalai added 10 points for Window Rock.