By Greg Perkins Holbrook dropped both games played at the end of last week and has a busy schedule this week with four games to be played in five days. The Roadrunners were in Snowflake on Thursday and played hard, but a valiant comeback effort fell just short in a 50-56 loss to the unbeaten Lobos. Holbrook struggled out of the game netting just four points in the first frame. They scored better in the second but trailed at the half 29-18. Anthony Nelson poured in 12 points in the second period cutting three points off Snowflake’s lead. In the third period the Birds tightened things up. Seven more from Nelson and five by Brandon Tapaha saw Holbrook cut their deficit to four points heading into the final frame. Midway through the fourth Holbrook took the lead behind several long-range shots. Unfortunately, they couldn’t hold off the Lobos who battled back and secured the six-point win at the free throw line. Nelson led all scorers in the game with 23 points. Quentin Thomas added 11; Tapaha, 10; and Heavy Hillwood, Caden Tom and Damien Clark each scored two points in the loss. Holbrook made nine treys in the game and went 7 for 11 at the line. Snowflake was led by Stewart West with 19 points. The Lobos made three long range shots and went 8 for 19 at the charity stripe. On Saturday Holbrook traveled to Flagstaff to take on the 4A Eagles. Flagstaff showed their prowess in the first pouring in 23 points to lead by eight. Nelson scored 5; Tapaha, 4; and Nick Begay and Clark each hit treys keeping Holbrook in touch with the Eagles. Both teams played close in the second, but Flagstaff still led 36-27 at the break. Tapaha scored six in the second for Holbrook. The Roadrunners cut two points off the lead in the third behind five more from Nelson and a three pointer by Damon Attakai. In the fourth Holbrook had their chances in a close contest, but a couple of missed three-point shots inside the final minute saw them come up four points short in a 52-48 loss. Begay did his part in the fourth scoring 7 points down the stretch. Holbrook was led again by Nelson with 13 points. Tapaha added 12; Begay, 11; Clark, 5; Thomas, 4; and Damon Attakai had the three-point field goal. Holbrook made eight of 11 free throws and hit seven treys in the loss. Flagstaff was led by Josh Lenners with 13. Max Fritch helped with 12. After playing in Blue Ridge on Monday in a game rescheduled from last week, the Roadrunners will host Payson on Tuesday. On Thursday they welcome in a very tall Thatcher team, then on Friday Holbrook will wrap up a busy week on the hardwood with a trip to face I-40 rival Winslow. Next Tuesday Holbrook will be in Show Low. The Roadrunners were 1-2 heading into this week’s four game stretch.
