Needing to beat the Bulldogs in Winslow to claim the regular season North Region title, as well as the overall top seed in the upcoming state tournament, the Roadrunners of Holbrook built a big lead, then held off a late Winslow rally sparked by Kraig Shirley to accomplish both tasks. The Birds won the game in front of a frenzied crowd by a final of 61-58.

Jalen Jackson and Kory Koerperich each hit a pair of first quarter field goals to help the Birds take a four-point lead into the second period. Torrian Epps came off the bench in the second with five points and Koerperich added four more to give Holbrook a seven-point halftime edge.

In the third, Koerperich hit three shots from distance and Jackson added nine points of his own as the Birds opened up a double-digit cushion heading to the fourth. Leading by as much as 17 early in the fourth, Holbrook made just four field goals in the final period and missed seven of 15 free throws down the stretch, but was still able to hold off a stubborn Winslow squad. The Bulldogs made the most of their free throws, connecting on 20 of 20 charity tosses, including all 10 in the final period, which helped them get close. In the end, some clutch free throws from Rashaun Baldwin, who made four of five late in the game, enabled the Birds to secure the win.

Holbrook was led in scoring by Jackson, who finished with 22 points. Koerperich added 18, Baldwin, 9, Epps, 5, Joey Aguilera, 4, Blake Maestas, 2, and Ilacian Johnson, 1. Holbrook made five three-point field goals and went 12 for 22 at the line.

Shirley led all scorers in the game with 30 points for Winslow, including 14 of 14 shooting from the free throw line. Tyler Williams added 11, Jevon Estelle, 10, Sedale Flanagan, 3, and Tremayne Nez and Mark Oliva, 2 each. The Bulldogs hit two three-point shots and remarkably went 20 for 20 at the free throw line.

Holbrook 11 11 23 16 61

Winslow 7 8 14 29 58

Holbrook wraps up the regular season with an overall mark of 25-4. The Roadrunners went 8-1 in North Region play, losing only to Window Rock prior to the Christmas break.

They will be the top seed in both the North Region tournament and the state tournament which will begin next week. Holbrook will receive a bye in the first round of the North Region tournament, and will play either Monument Valley or Chinle on Friday, Feb. 11. As the top seed in the state tournament, they will host whichever team ends up in the 16th position after all the region tournaments have been completed.