The Roadrunners coached by Delmar Johnson have a talented group this year and they should be a force by the time the state tournament rolls around. With veteran senior starters Quentin Thomas, Noah Brown and Brandon Tapaha joined by role players Izzy Ramos, Kyle Smith, Stran Bain and Tyler Tapaha, once healthy this group can score in bunches.
Holbrook opened the season at home on Tuesday with a 56 to 26 win over an overmatched Alchesay Falcons team. Brandon Tapaha and Thomas combined for 16 first-period points helping the team jump out to a 24-9 first-quarter lead. Jayden Kinlecheenie netted seven in the second quarter and Holbrook led 44 to 13 at the break. Playing with the large lead and a running clock in the fourth period neither team scored much in the second half giving Holbrook a 56-26 win.
Brandon Tapaha finished with 12 points as did Thomas. Kinlecheenie added 11; Xavier Brown, 6; Kyle Smith, 6; Noah Brown, 5; and Sam Francisco and Deron Taliman each had 2.
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the Roadrunners played in the Benjamin Franklin Thanksgiving tournament. Their first of four pool games were a match-up with a good Fountain Hills team Friday afternoon. The Falcons came out hot scorching the nets for 47 first-half points and they limited Holbrook to just 19 to lead big at the break. The Falcons also won the second half en route to a 67-31 setback for Holbrook. As well as they played at home vs Alchesay on Tuesday was about as poor as they played in this match-up against a bigger Falcon team. Noah Brown and Brandon Tapaha led the team in scoring with nine apiece.
Holbrook’s second game on Friday was a bounce-back win over the host team Benjamin Franklin. Holbrook started better with 35 first-half points and stayed consistent in the second half adding another 28 in a 63 to 40 win. Noah Brown led the way with 17. Brandon Tapaha added 16 and Jayden Kinlecheenie chipped in with 10.
Saturday morning Holbrook met up with Seton Catholic. A solid first quarter was followed by a huge offensive effort in the second, giving Holbrook a 41 to 34 halftime lead. Holbrook made seven three-point shots in the first half and added another five in the second half of the 72-55 win. Noah Brown led with 27 followed by Thomas with 18, and Brandon Tapaha with 17.
Their final tournament game was a close game with Gilbert Christian. Holbrook trailed 23-20 at the half and fell behind by one more in the third. They went cold from the field in the fourth period missing on eight three-point attempts before eventually losing the game 53-47. Thomas led with a 21-point effort. Brandon Tapaha added 10.
Holbrook now 3-2 has a busy two weeks ahead. After playing at Chinle on Tuesday, they will host Page on Wednesday. Saturday will be a trip to Tuba City. Next Tuesday they travel to Ganado. Then next Thursday through Saturday they will have six games at the Round Valley Tournament. Following that tournament, they will be off until Jan. 5.
