3A GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT

HOLBROOK 50, WINDOW ROCK 46

After defeating the No. 10 Holbrook Lady Roadrunners twice during the regular season, the third time wasn't a charm for the No. 7 Window Rock Lady Scouts.

Holbrook laced up its basketball shoes and was ready to play hoops. Holbrook outscored Window Rock three of the four quarters in the 32-minute contest.

Playing a strong second half, Holbrook posted a 50-46 victory over Window Rock in round two of the 3A Girls Sate Tournament in the Events Center at Window Rock High School in Fort Defiance on Friday night.

Holbrook head coach Greg Perkins said he is proud of his team.

"The girls were ready to play," Perkins said. "We knew Window Rock was a tough team. We played our game. We couldn't allow Window Rock to take control. Window Rock outscored us in the first quarter. The girls stepped up to play strong the next three quarters. It was a good win, especially on the road."

Holbrook improved to 26-6. Holbrook faces No. 2 Page Lady Sand Devils on Monday in a state quarterfinal game at Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.

Window Rock completed its season 16-11.

In 3A State Tournament action on Friday night, No. 1 Tucson Sabino dropped Valley Christian, 49-21; Chinle stopped Winslow, 53-46; Ganado outlasted Yuma Catholic, 59-34; Snowflake stopped Florence, 52-43; American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North defeated American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek, 81-39; Tuba City beat Tanque Verde, 66-25; and Page knockedd off Paradise Honors, 57-15.

Window Rock head coach Sharon Toadecheenie said Holbrook turned in a solid game on the road.

"Playing Holbrook the third time is tough," Toadecheenie said. "They came to play in our house. We just couldn't protect and defend it."

Window Rock opened the game, scoring eight unanswered points, including four points from Bayle Talkalai. and two points apiece from Jana Solee and Alexis Tsosie-Hood. Holbrook battled back. Holbrook's Madison Chappell canned a pair of charity tosses, as the Lady Roadrunners cut the lead to three points, 10-7 with 2:11 remaining.

With 1:07 left in the first quarter, Window Rock's Keyanna Goodman nailed a basket, giving the Lady Scouts a 15-9 lead as the first period expired.

Holbrook stormed back in the second quarter. The Lady Roadrunners six unanswered points to begin the second stanza. Holbrook's Matehya Aberle hit a free throw, followed by a basket and a three-pointer from Desirae Bain, tying the contest at 15-15 with 6:11 remaining.

The game remain close throughout the second quarter. Holbrook's Jineane Cummings hit a pair of free throws for a 20-19 lead with 54.3-seconds left. Window Rock's Solee answered with a basket for a 21-20 lead. Cummings canned a trey for a 23-21 lead with 29 seconds. Bayle Talkalai knocked down a three-pointer with five seconds left, lifting the Lady Scouts to a 24-23 lead as the second quarter ended.

Holbrook's Aberle scored five points to begin the third quarter, lifting the Lady Roadrunners to a four-point advantage, 28-24. Window Rock's Bayle Talkalai netted a pair of charity tosses, gying the game at 28-28 with 4:36 remaining.

A basket by Goodman gave Window Rock a 35-32 lead with 1:35 remaining in the third quarter. A buzzer-beating three-pointer by Desirae Bain gave Holbrook a 37-36 lead when the third quarter expired.

Holbrook rallied to begin the fourth quarter. Chappell, Aberle and Mika Joe combined for six points, giving the Lady Roadrunners the lead.

After exchanging baskets, Holbrook's Aberle scored inside the paint, as the Lady Roadrunners took a six point lead, 46-40, with 3:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Holbrook's Talynn Spencer netted a free throw, lifting the Lady Roadrunners to a  47-42 lead with 45.3-seconds left. Solee connected with a pair of free throws, bringing Window Rock within three points, 47-44, with 30.5-seconds remaining.

Holbrook's Spencer canned a pair of free throws for a 49-44 lead with 28.9-seconds. Tsosie-Hood connected with two free throws, bringing the Lady Scouts within three points, 49-46, with five seconds left. Spencer scored the game's final point for a four point Holbrookl win.

Bayle Talkalai led Window Rock with 14 points. Jana Solee added 12 points for the Lady Scouts.

"Holbrook used their inside player, (Matehya Aberle), to battle," Toadecheenie said. "We just couldn't defend it."

Holbrook's Matehya Aberele led all scorers with 19 points.

"The girls played hard," Holbrook's Perkins said. "After a slow start to begin the first quarter, the girls were more relaxed and played strong. We hit some key baskets in the second half. It was a good win."