The Roadrunners rolled off three more wins last week, with each coming by double figures as the second-ranked the Birds continue to play well behind their junior standout Tyler Tapaha who averaged 27 points in the three wins.
Holbrook was in Blue Ridge on Tuesday night, where they shook off a slow start to defeat the Yellowjackets 70-56. Blue Ridge held a 2-point lead at the end of the first, but Holbrook edged in front by 2 at the half. Tapaha netted 26 points in the first half alone. Both teams scored well in the third, combining for 41 points but Holbrook held a 51-48 lead. In the final frame, the Birds held Blue Ridge to just 8 points securing the 14-point win.
Tapaha led the way with 32 points. Xavier Brown added 10; Leyton Tom, 9; Jaron Becenti, 7; Jayden Kinlecheenie, 6; Manuel Rico, 3; and Chase Salabye helped with one.
Friday night Holbrook hosted Show Low. The Cougars saw Holbrook drain five treys in the first quarter from four different players as the Roadrunners built a 22-16 lead. That margin grew by one at the half. The game was still in reach for Show Low in the third, but in the fourth the Roadrunners slammed the door shut with a 20-point period. Salaybe and Tapaha combined for 16 of those 20 in the final eight minutes to win the game 72-54.
Tapaha led the team in scoring with 22 points. Salabye added 16; Becenti, 15; Tom, 7; Brown, 6; and Kinlecheenie also netted 6.
Saturday’s long drive to Kayenta resulted in a 65-46 Holbrook win. The first quarter was close, with Holbrook leading the hometown Mustangs just 12-11. However, in the second stanza, the game changed quickly. Holbrook poured in 24 points and held the Mustangs to just 4, effectively putting the game out of reach at the half. Tapaha scored 16 in the first half. Caleb Cummings connected on three treys in the second period. Salabye scored 9 in the second frame as well.
Tapaha finished with a game-high 28 points. Salabye added 19, Cummings, 9; Kinlecheenie, 4; Brown, 3; and Rico added 3.
Holbrook improved to 8-1 in regular season contests and they are now 16-5 overall. Two home games are on tap this week. Payson visits on Tuesday, then on Thursday the Winslow Bulldogs will travel down I-40. Next Tuesday Holbrook travels to Snowflake.
