Holbrook’s boys team is young but they are playing well at the moment posting an overall record of 9-3 after going 5-1 while winning the Round Valley Tournament over the weekend. Their regular season mark is now 3-0, following Tuesday’s 67-46 home-court win over Ganado.
Hosting the Hornets, Holbrook got out to a quick start behind a trio of treys from Xavier Brown and 8 more first-period points from Tyler Tapaha, giving the Birds an early 24-4 lead. They kept their foot on the gas in the second, with Joquin Belin netting 6 and Tapaha adding another 8 to his total, helping Holbrook hold a commanding 40-13 halftime lead. The Hornets played a little better in the second half but the outcome had long been decided. Holbrook eventually won the game 67-46.
Tyler Tapaha who is having an outstanding season thus far, led the team in scoring with a 29-point effort. Xavier Brown added 16; Joquin Belin, 8; Chase Salabye, 6; Dominick Smith, 3; Leyton Tom, 2; and Jaron Becenti added a single point in the win.
The Roadrunners competed in the Round Valley Roundball tournament beginning on Thursday with a pair of pool play games. Up first on Thursday was a 56-47 win over Fort Thomas. Holbrook led 31-25 at the half, then gradually increased the margin in the second half. Xavier Brown led the Birds with 18 points. Tapaha added 13 and Jaron Becenti finished in double figures with 10.
Their second pool game was with Pima and resulted in Holbrook’s only loss of the tournament, which they would avenge in the title game. Pima opened up an 8-point lead in the first and led by 9 at the half. Holbrook outscored the Roughriders in the second half but came up 5 points short in the 45-40 outcome. Tapaha led in scoring with 16 points. Xavier Brown added 9.
The Roadrunners opened bracket play on Friday morning, with a 64-31 easy win over St. Micheals. Both teams scored well in the first, but in the second, Holbrook blitzed the Cardinals 26-0 to lead 48-28 at the half. With the outcome basically decided neither team scored all that well in the second half, with the Birds advancing in the bracket. Jaron Becenti led Holbrook in scoring with 13 points. Tapaha added 9, as did Caleb Cummings.
Friday afternoon Holbrook met up with 3A east rival Blue Ridge. The Yellowjackets played well early in the tournament and kept that up against the Roadrunners holding a 31-29 lead at the half. Holbrook edged in front by one heading into the fourth quarter where they pulled away securing the 61-53 win to advance to Saturday’s semi-final round. Tyler Tapaha led with 23 points. Xavier Brown added 16, and Manuel Rico finished with 10.
The semi-final was a match-up with Safford. Holbrook jumped out early to a 16-2 first-period lead. They extended that margin in the second and led 36-18 at the half. Safford made a run in the third and a little in the fourth but Holbrook advanced to the title game with a 53-42 outcome. Tyler Tapaha led with 27 points. Chase Salabye added 9.
In the championship game, Holbrook met up with Pima for the second time in three days. The Roughriders took the first pool play meeting, but in the final game, Holbrook got a huge performance from Tapaha who led Holbrook to a 49-44 final score. The Holbrook junior netted 23 points in the title game. Jeron Becenti added 14, with four treys.
Tyler Tapaha was named the tournament’s MVP for his overall play over the six games.
After hosting Tuba City on Monday, Holbrook will have most of the week to prepare for a long trip to Page on Saturday. The Page contest will be their final game until Jan. 8, when they welcome the top 3A team Valley Christian to Munoz Gym.
