Roadrunner fans have one more opportunity this year to watch a game at Muñoz Gym. Holbrook boys’ team is the top ranked team heading into the state tournament, and will host 16th seeded Sedona Red Rock at 7 o’clock on Saturday night, Feb. 19.
The Birds stumbled a bit in the opening round of the region tournament last weekend, but expect them to right the ship quickly in their final home game. The Roadrunners have been picked by many to bring the first boys’ state title back to Holbrook since Vince Budenholzer led the Roadrunners in 1971. To get that done they will have to get past a tough second round against either Safford or Snowflake. They will also have to beat either Winslow or Blue Ridge, which are in their side of the bracket.
The Lady Roadrunners will have to do something they have never done to move on in the state tourney…beat the Lady Bulldogs in Winslow. Earlier this season the Lady Birds ended a 21-year losing streak to Winslow with a three-point win in Holbrook. A week later they fell hard in Winslow. The rubber game between these two schools played at 7 o’clock tonight (Feb. 18) should be very close. Holbrook has the confidence it needs and Winslow has tradition on its side. The Lady Roadrunners have the ability, but will have to improve their shooting percentage immensely if they want to pull off what would be a huge upset. Whoever wins will most likely face Monument Valley in the second round, then will have to take down Tuba City in round three. If they can accomplish that, they will run up against heavy title favorite Window Rock in the state championship. The North Region has dominated the state tournament in girls’ basketball in the past two decades and this year will be no different.
All first round state games for boys and girls will begin at 7 p.m. at the site of the higher seeded teams. Girls’ teams play tonight and boys’ teams play on Saturday. Second round games for all the winners will be played at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley on Monday, Feb. 21, for girls and on Tuesday, Feb. 22, for boys. The final four will be played on Feb. 25 and 26 at Glendale Arena.
