The Roadrunners picked up two early season home court wins over the weekend, starting the 2024-2025 campaign on a high note. Friday night they welcomed Window Rock to the newly re-done Munoz Gym.
A capacity crowd saw the Birds start strong with a 20-8 first quarter performance. Standout senior Tyler Tapaha netted 9 in the initial eight minutes. Jaron Becenti hit the team’s only 3-point field goal of the night in the second, helping to extend the lead to 33-15 at the half. Holbrook outscored the Scouts 19-18 in the second half to secure the 52-33 win.
Tapaha led all scorers with 19 points. Chase Salabye added 10; Amare Nelson, 8; Becenti, 7; and Manuel Rico and Travis Bia each scored 4. Holbrook made just one 3-point field goal and went eight for 12 at the charity stripe. Window Rock made four treys and hit five of their eight free throws.
Saturday night the Roadrunners hosted Tuba City in front of another large crowd. Tapaha netted 7 in the opening frame and Becenti chipped in 5 giving Holbrook a 19-13 edge after one. In the second, 7 more from Tapaha saw him eclipse the 1,000-point mark barrier for his career at Holbrook. He was honored in a brief ceremony at half time. Holbrook led by 10 at the break. They pushed that lead to 15 in the third with 6 more from Tapaha, the senior added 8 more to his total in the fourth as Holbrook cruised to a 69-52 win.
Tapaha led all scorers with his 30-point performance. Nelson added 10; Bia, 7; Becenti, 7; Caleb Cummings, 5; Leyton Tom, 4; Manny Rico, 2; Salabye, 2; and Cameron Chevarillo finished with 2. Holbrook made four treys and converted 11 of 13 free throws. Tuba City also made four three’s and went five for five at the line.
Holbrook will host Ganado on Tuesday night, then will play in the Ben Franklin Thanksgiving tournament on Friday and Saturday. They will face Shadow Hills and Ben Franklin on Friday, then will see Combs, and Page on Saturday. All games are pool play games in this tournament. The team will travel to St. Johns on Dec. 3.
