Holbrook’s return to the court following the Christmas break didn’t go as hoped with a road loss to Winslow on Tuesday night. A quick start by the Bulldogs saw them build an 18-12 lead through the first quarter.
In the second, Holbrook found their footing and flipped the tables, doubling up the Bulldogs 22-11 to lead at the half 34-29. Winslow retook the lead in the third, then extended that lead in the fourth to win the game 67-53.
Winslow only had six players score, but they each were in double figures led by Antonio Nezzie’s 15 points. Holbrook was paced by Manny Rico’s 18-point effort. Travis Bia added 14; Amare Brown, 11; Braylon Taliman, 6; Manny Guerrero, 3; and Brady Becenti added 1 in the loss.
Things went much better for the Roadrunners on Thursday night when they welcomed Monument Valley to Munoz gym. Holbrook put up 15 points in the first, paced by Becenti’s 8 points. They matched that total again in the second with Manny Guerrero draining a pair of trays. The Mustangs netted just 7 in each quarter, giving Holbrook a comfortable 30-14 halftime lead.
The third was much like the first with Holbrook getting 7 points from Bia extending the lead to 46-22 going into the fourth where the Birds were outscored by 5 but the outcome was never in doubt with Holbrook winning 54-34.
Bia led the way with 17 points. Amare Nelson added 13; Becenti, 8; Guerrero, 6; Rico, 6; Braylon Taliman, 2; and Nathaniel Chatto helped with a single point.
Friday night the Roadrunners survived a 1-point game with Snowflake. The Lobos gave Holbrook a scare down the stretch, but a huge steal by Bia and a pair of missed Snowflake free throws with a couple of seconds left preserved a 48-47 Holbrook win.
Holbrook led 15-12 after the first, with Rico and Bia each netting 4. Bia added 8 to his total in the second, helping Holbrook extend the lead to 7 points. The lead stayed at 7 through the third, then in the fourth with Snowflake leading by one point, Travis Bia was able to steal an inbound pass near halfcourt in the final seconds then making the lay-up to give Holbrook a 48-47 lead.
Holbrook then committed an intentional foul giving Snowflake two free throws and the ball. However, the Lobo point guard missed both free throws, plus Snowflake missed a four-foot shot on the ensuing inbound play, helping Holbrook escape with a 1-point win.
Bia led Holbrook with 15 points. Taliman added 10; Nelson, 8; Rico, 6; Guerrero, 5; and Becenti added 4. Holbrook was 11 for 18 at the free throw line and made four 3-point shots.
Snowflake hit two treys but went four for eight at the line. Two of those missed were huge.
With the win, Holbrook improved their regular season mark to 7-3. Overall, they are now 12-8. Next week they have just one game. Winslow will visit Holbrook on Friday night.
