Holbrook’s first game of the 2020 year didn’t go as hoped when they fell at home to visiting American Leadership Academy–Queen Creek by three points.
The Roadrunners who hadn’t played since their win over Window Rock on Dec. 20, didn’t show a lot of rust in the first eight minutes where they drained 16 points. Anthony Nelson had a pair of treys and Eric Baldonado netted three traditional field goals. The Patriots countered with two three-point shots but still trailed by five after the first.
In the second, both teams cooled a bit matching each other with eight-point efforts. Baldonado scored all eight of Holbrook’s points, while the Patriots spread their scoring through three players.
Holbrook’s five-point halftime lead vanished in the third. ALA utilized their inside height and outscored the Birds by seven, taking a two-point lead into the final period. In the fourth, Holbrook trailed by as much as seven but battled back and had a chance for a late game tying three-pointer but that shot missed leaving the Birds on the wrong side of a 51-48 final outcome.
Baldonado led all scorers with 23 points. Nelson added 13; Kobi Koerperich, 6; Damien Clark, 2; Brandon Tapaha, 2; and Ethan Bahe finished with 2. The Roadrunners had five three-point field goals and made good on three of their five charities.
ALA was led by their twin towers. Devin Brooke had 19, and Dyson Lighthall finished with 17. The Patriots went 10 for 20 at the line and made three treys.
With the regular season loss, Holbrook dropped to 5-2 in power point games and is now 12-5 on the season.
They will host Blue Ridge today (Wednesday, Jan. 8) then welcome in Payson on Friday. Next Tuesday the Roadrunners travel to Payson.
