Birds Best Bulldogs, But Are Upset By Yellowjackets In Sectional Final

Winslow jumped on top in the first behind 10 points from Trelonne Sanders to lead 20-9. In the second Holbrook flipped the script, with Begaii notching 8 points to leave the Roadrunners trailing just 30-29 at the break.

The Bulldogs started the second half much like the first, outscoring Holbrook to build a 12-point led heading to the fourth. In the final minutes the Roadrunners stormed back as they have done all season by virtue of the three-point shot. Marlin Martin, Marcos Clark, Alec Smith and Begaii each made long distance shots, but it was Begaii’s coming with under six seconds left in the game which gave Holbrook a 56-55 win. Dalvin Benally’s desperation three-point shot for Winslow at the buzzer clanked off the back of the rim, sending Holbrook to the title game.

Begaii led Holbrook in scoring with 14 points. Marcel Young added 12; Martin, Clark and Abrian Dickson, 6 each; Sylas Chevarillo, 5; Smith, 3; and Nathan Johnson and Quinlan Keoni, 2 each. Keoni also took several charges in the second half, helping his team on the defensive end of the floor.

With the win the Roadrunners moved on to the title game, where they met up with the No. 4 Blue Ridge Yellowjackets, who upset top ranked Snowflake on Wednesday night following the Holbrook game.

Both teams played solid defense and struggled to score through the first four minutes of the title game, but the ‘Jackets eventually led 12-10 after one. In the second, Holbrook started to heat up from the perimeter, making four three-point shots to build a 28-21 halftime lead.

That margin grew to nine at the beginning of the fourth, but it wasn’t quite enough. Blue Ridge began to chip away at Holbrook’s lead late in the game. The ‘Jackets overcame a late game technical on their coach and forced Holbrook into some critical turnovers down the stretch. Blue Ridge was the recipient of an intentional foul call with less than 20 seconds left in the game, and following two free throws which tied the game, the ‘Jackets finished it off with a driving layup with 1.7 seconds left on the clock to win the title and the number one overall seed in the state tournament with a thrilling 57-55 win.

Martin led Holbrook with 16 points. Dickson added 15; Chevarillo, 8; Young, 6; Smith, 5; and Begaii, 3. Holbrook made eight of 12 free throws and hit nine long range shots, but only one in the fourth period.

Blue Ridge was led by McKay Berges with 19 and running mate Chris Williams added 18. The ‘Jackets shot well at the free throw line, making 20 of 21 attempts to secure the win.

With the split Holbrook moved its season mark to 24-8. The Roadrunners dropped in the state rankings to the ninth overall seed and were slated to host No. 24 Monument Valley on Tuesday night. If the Birds get past the Mustangs, and they are heavily favored to do so, they will face No. 8 Valley Christian on Friday, Feb. 20. The Trojans spent most of the season ranked second in power points, but, like Holbrook, they were upset in the sectional final, moving them down in the overall seedings. If the Birds can get past that game, they would most likely have a rematch with Blue Ridge.