By Greg Perkins Holbrook snapped a four-game losing streak over the weekend with a four-point home court win over visiting Show Low and a convincing 18-point road win at Chino Valley on Saturday. Barring several pieces, most of which the Birds don’t control, falling just right, Holbrook’s boys team will be on the outside looking in when the 3A state boys’ tournament gets underway next Wednesday. Holbrook’s 6-9 overall record with one home game left may not be enough to get them into the postseason. Had they played as well over the course of the season, as they did in their last two games, the state tournament maybe a little closer. Holbrook had numerous close games this year, but few of them fell their way. Friday night was a different story. Hosting the Cougars, Holbrook trailed by a single point, thanks to three-point shots from Noah Brown, Damien Clark and Brandon Tapaha. Tapaha added four more in the second and Nick Begay helped with three but the Birds still trailed by three at the half. Neither team scored well in the third, but in the fourth Holbrook rallied outscoring Show Low by eight to win the game 46-42. Holbrook converted eight of 15 free throws in the fourth to secure the win. Tapaha led Holbrook in scoring with 12, Brown added 11; Anthony Nelson, 9; Clark, 8; and Begay netted 6. Holbrook made six treys and went 16 for 25 at the line. Show Low was paced by Cougar Cooke with 17 points. They made five treys and connected on five of seven charity tosses. Playing in Chino Valley on Saturday, Holbrook came off the bus firing from the outside. Nelson, Tapaha and Begay combined for five three-point field goals in the first period, helping the team jump out to a 15-7 lead over the hometown Cougars. Three more treys in the second gave Holbrook a six-point lead at the half. Begay scored 12 points in the second half leading Holbrook to a 62-44 win. Begay and Nelson tied for top team honors with 17 apiece. Tapaha added 14; Damon Attakai, 8; Brown, 4; and Clark helped with 2. Holbrook finished the game with 10 three-point field goals and made six of seven free throws. Chino Valley hit five treys and wound up five for eight at the line. With the two wins, Holbrook improved to 6-9 on the season. Most likely their season will come to a close after hosting Page on Tuesday night. The Sand Devils enter the game ranked eighth, so a win over them would really help Holbrook’s slim chances, but a loss will definitely put an end to their season.
