In a saw-see battle, Chinle nipped the Holbrook Lady Roadrunners, 58-57, as Lady Wildcats' senior post Stacey Begay canned a pair of charity tosses with three seconds remaining in the game to secure a freedom game victory before a large crowd at the Wildcat Den in Chinle.

Chinle head coach Francine McCurtain said it was an awesome game for both teams.

"It was anybody's game," McCurtain said. "Stacey Begay's two free throws sealed the game for us." McCurtain said after Holbrook knocked down a three-pointer to take a 57-56, Begay got the ball with 16 seconds remaining in the game.

"Stacey drove down near the basket and was fouled with three seconds remaining in the game," McCurtain explained. "Stacey hit both free throws and we came out successful."

McCurtain said she drew out the last play for Begay to have the ball in her hands.

"When the play didn't pan out, Begay got the ball from her teammate at the top of the three-point arc and drove to the basket," McCurtain said. "Stacey was fouled and she connected with both free throws."

McCurtain said the Lady Wildcats had to refocus during its timeout and believe in their defense to get the ball back.

"Our girls did not give up, especially when Holbrook hit a three-pointer to take the lead," McCurtain stated. "The lead was back and forth. We committed too many turnovers at the end, when we had the lead."

The Lady Roadunners won the season opener, 43-41, between the two teams last week in Holbrook.

Holbrook head coach Greg Perkins said it was good game displayed between the two teams.

"The game came down to the final couple of possessions," Perkins said. "Our girls played hard. We just have to eliminate some late game mistakes."

Chinle started off well, taking a 15-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Holbrook battled back in the second quarter. The Lady Roadrunners rattled the cages for 21 points, while the Lady Wildcats managed 13. Holbrook took a 29-28 lead into the locker room for halftime.

The Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Roadrunners, 15-12, to take a 43-41 advantage at the end of the third stanza. Holbrook canned 16 points in the fourth quarter. Chinle netted 15 points in the final eight minutes of the game.

Stacey Begay topped Chinle offensively, pouring in 17 points. Grayce Claw added 12 points for the Lady Wildcats.

Chinle, 2-1, travel to Show Low this Tuesday to face the Lady Cougars in a 6 p.m. contest.

Leading Holbrook offensively was Megan Cummings with 15 points. Matehya Aberle contributed 13 points and Madison Chappell tallied 10 points for the Lady Roadrunners.

Holbrook, 2-1 overall, entertains the Ganado Lady Hornets, 1-1, this Tuesday in Tony Munoz Memorial gymnasium in Holbrook at 6 p.m.

Boys

Chinle 66, Holbrook 43

Chinle got a strong shooting performance from Cooper Burbank, as the Wildcats posted a 66-43 freedom game victory over the Holbrook Roadrunners before a large crowd in the Wildcat Den in Chinle.

Burbank, the 6-foot-2 junior guard, poured in 18 points to pace Chinle offensively. Last week in a game played between Chinle and Holbrook, Burbank scorched the cords for 24 points.

This was Chinle's second victory over Holbrook within one week. Chinle topped Holbrook, 63-37, in Holbrook last week.

Chinle raced out to a 14-9 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Wildcats outscored the Roadrunners, 17-10, in the second period, taking a 31-19 halftime lead.

The Wildcats continued to shoot well in the third quarter, netting 17 points. The Roadrunners could score eight points. Chinle held a 48-27 lead after three periods of action.

Chinle and Holbrook stepped up offensively during the fourth quarter. The Wildcats poured in 18 points and the Roadrunners canned 16 points.

In addition to Burbank's 18 points, Payton Wagner added 14 points, Angelo Lewis tallied 12 points and Cael Denetdeel netted eight points for Chinle.

"We didn't play consistant on both ends of the court tonight," said Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza. "However, we did get a good game from Cooper Burbank. Burbank led the team wih 18 points."

Mendoza continued, "In the second half, Payton (Wagner) and Cael (Denetdeel) played well, getting some big offensive rebounds that helped lead the team to a win over the Roadrunners."

Chinle will be on the road, taking on the Show Low Cougars this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in a freedom game.

Holbrook hosts the Ganado Hornets this Tuesday in a freedom game at 7:30 p.m.