The Lady Roadrunners are headed into the New Year with some momentum after winning the Cotton Division bracket at the Epic Tourney New Years Classic. Holbrook defeated Casa Grande, Maricopa, Ben Franklin and Queen Creek in their four games played over two days.
The first game with Casa Grande saw Holbrook jump out to a 29-7 lead through the first eight minutes, utilizing their pressure defense. Channing Harrington and Bailey Williams each netted 11 in the frame. Angelica Uranga Williams added 5.
In the second, eight different players each scored 2 points, building the lead to 45-13 at the half. Holbrook cruised through the second half with a running clock to secure the 63-28 win.
Harrington and Bailey Williams each finished with 15 points. Angelica Williams added 9; Farrah Natoni, 6; KC Tsosie, 4; Maya Francisco, 4; and Mackenzie Kescoli, Ariel Begay, Ava Mann, Heide Bahe and Darien Kedelty each added 2 points in the win.
With the win, the Birds advanced to face Maricopa in the bracket on Friday evening. Another quick start paced by Harrington’s 17 points in the first quarter gave Holbrook a 25-10 lead.
Bailey Williams added 4 to her total in the second, helping extend the halftime lead to 49-19. Harrington added 9 more to her game high 32 points in the third quarter. Holbrook went on to win 67-27.
Along with Harrington’s points, Bailey Williams added 10; Camesha Bahe, 5; Angelica Williams, 4; Kedelty, 4; Sami Thomas, 3; Heidi Bahe, 3; Francisco, 2; Mann, 2; and Farrah Natoni helped with 2.
Holbrook met up with the host school Ben Franklin in the semi-final round on Saturday afternoon. The team started a little slower in this game but still led 13-5 after one. They picked up the scoring in the second with a 24-point quarter led by Harrington’s 8 and Bailey Williams 7 points. Thomas added 5 in the quarter as well.
Throughout the second half, Holbrook’s defense held Ben Franklin to four total baskets in the 63-25 win. Bailey Williams led the way with 18 points. Channing Harrington added 17; Angelica Williams, 6; Thomas, 5; Ariel Begay, 4; Francisco, 4; Makenzie Kescoli, 2; Mann, 2; Heidi Bahe, 2; Kedelty, 2; and Farrah Natoni added one.
The win moved Holbrook into the championship game on Saturday night where they faced 6A Queen Creek. The Ladies started quickly against the Bulldogs 1-2-2 zone. Holbrook hit four 3-point shots in the first two minutes of the game. One from Bailey Williams, then Harrington went back-to-back to back on three straight trips, giving Holbrook an early 14-2 lead. By the end of the quarter Holbrook held a 14-9 edge.
Bailey Williams netted 7 in the second quarter as Holbrook moved their halftime margin to 27-11 with their defense limiting Queen Creek to just one field goal in the second.
Harrington added 8 in the third. Heide Bahe added 5 and Angelica Williams netted 4 in the quarter, giving the Birds a 46-23 lead going into the final eight minutes. In the fourth, Holbrook held the Bulldogs to just two field goals resulting in the 57-34 championship win.
Harrington led the way in scoring with 24 points. Bailey Williams added 10; Angelica Williams, 8; Heidi Bahe, 8; Francisco, 2; Kedelty 2; Tsosie, 2; and Kescoli added 1.
“Overall, this was a good tournament for us to get some confidence back in our team. We took 12 players and everyone got quite a bit of playing time with our scores being what they were. We shot the ball better and really picked up our intensity on the defensive end. This tournament provides us a chance to get a full week of practice in and get some quality time away as a team for a few days. The girls played hard but were relaxed and they bought into what we are trying to do defensively in the second half of the season. It also helps that we shot the ball much better. Now we need to carry this momentum into our three games this week, and the rest of our regular season schedule,” stated Coach Greg Perkins.
Holbrook jumps right back into action with three games this week. Tuesday, they travel to Winslow, then Thursday will host Monument Valley. On Friday, Snowflake visits Munoz Gym.
With the four tournament wins Holbrook is now 9-8 on the season. They remain 2-5 in regular season games. With both tournaments now behind them every game the rest of the way counts towards power points.
