Holbrook cruised through their first two games of the season but on Friday night in Chinle, they met up with the Wildcats for the second time in eight days and this time it was Chinle finishing on top.
The Roadrunners had beaten Chinle in Holbrook’s home opener on Nov. 25, by a score of 55-45. Eight days later the Wildcats prevailed although it took overtime before they handed Holbrook its first regular season loss with a 74-67 overtime final.
Playing in the Wildcat Den for the first time this season, Chinle trailed Holbrook at the end of the first thanks to 11 first period points from Eric Baldonado. Zeke Begay added a three-point shot and Holbrook led 19-14 after one.
In the second, Chinle’s outstanding player Cooper Burbank netted seven and Kobi Koerperich matched him with seven but Holbrook still held a 33-31 halftime edge.
Both teams again played even in the third with each netting 18. Anthony Nelson hit for six and Damien Clark broke out of a shooting slump hitting two of his four treys in the period.
In the fourth period Burbank netted half of Chinle’s 14 points but they managed to pull ahead by three points in the final seconds. Holbrook’s Baldonado then drained a deep three off the dribble sending the game to overtime.
In the extra four minutes the Wildcats opened with a three-point shot and Holbrook never caught up. Holbrook scored just four points in the overtime, while the Wildcats pulled away with 11 for the seven point win.
Holbrook was led by Baldonado’s 26 point effort. Damien Clark added 12; Anthony Nelson, 1; Kobi Koerperich, 9; Zeke Begaii, 4; Nick Begay, 3; and Ethan Bahe helped with 2. Holbrook made 13 of 16 free throws and canned eight three-point shots.
Chinle was led by Burbank’s 28 points. Kylen Yazzie added 20; Malik Bahe, 11; Curtis Begay, 7; and Colin Yazzie and Corey Nakai each had four. The Wildcats made good on 16 of 24 charity tosses and connected on six three-point shots.
With the loss Holbrook dropped to 2-1 in regular season games and they are now 4-3 overall. After playing at Ganado on Tuesday they will compete in the three day Round Valley Shootout tournament beginning on Thursday. Holbrook is slated to face Camp Verde and Alchesay in pool games on Thursday, then will open bracket play against Mogollon on Friday morning.
Following the tournament the Roadrunners will play their final two games before Christmas at home on Dec. 19 vs Chino Valley and the following night vs Window Rock.
