Holbrook improved their regular season mark to 5-1 picking up two wins in their final action prior to the semester break.
Hosting Chino Valley on Thursday night the Roadrunners needed two key late game steals from Damien Clark to overcome a five-point deficit inside the final minute before prevailing 55-50 preserving their perfect home court record.
Eric Baldonado netted 11 of Holbrook’s 19 first quarter points as they appeared to be the much better team through the first eight minutes. In the second, the Cougars flipped the tables a bit outscoring Holbrook by five but they still trailed 28-21 at the half.
Chino Valley trimmed two points off Holbrook’s lead in the second, then went on a run early in the fourth building their five-point lead behind the shooting of Daniel Martinez who finished with a team high 17 points. Their five-point lead vanished in the final minute thanks to back to back steals from Clark. He and Kobi Koerperich combined to finish off the Cougars upset attempt.
Baldonado led Holbrook in scoring with 22 points. Anthony Nelson added 9; Kobi Koerperich, 8; Zeke Begaii and Ethan Bahe both had 6; Clark and Nick Begay each added 2.
Holbrook made seven of 11 free throws and hit four three-point shots.
Chino Valley was led by Martinez’s 17 points. The Cougars made seven of their 12 charity tosses and hit three treys in the loss.
Friday night the Roadrunners welcomed in a Window Rock team they had defeated back on December 3rd with relative ease. Holbrook made 11 treys in the first half of that game but this time the Scouts played better defensively holding Holbrook to just two three-point field goals for the game.
Holbrook’s defense got the job done in the first eight minutes holding the Scouts to just six points. Both teams shot better in the second with eight of Holbrook’s 14 points coming from the free-throw line. The third period was the difference maker. Holbrook’s Baldonado drove to the bucket for nine points in the quarter helping the Birds pull out to a 44-28 lead with just the fourth period left.
Window Rock tried to rally in the fourth but Holbrook again shot well at the line to close out the Scouts with a 55-43 win.
Koerperich led the way with 18 points. Baldonado added 17; Begay and Nelson each had seven; Brandon Tapaha added 4; and Damien Clark helped with 2. Holbrook made 13 of 15 free throws and hit two treys. Window Rock made 4 of 5 charities and connected on five three point field goals.
With the win the Roadrunners moved their overall season mark to 12-4. They have already played their two tournaments for the season and they will be off until Jan. 4 when they host American Leadership Academy Queen Creek. Holbrook will host Blue Ridge on Jan. 8 and welcome in Payson on the 10th as East Region play begins after the break.
