Holbrook’s Roadrunners built an eight-point lead through the first period in Ganado on Tuesday night, then used a big fourth quarter to pull away from the Hornets and secure their 24th win of the season against just four losses. The Hornets, who got an outstanding performance from their leading player, Marcus Begay, stayed within five points through three quarters, but in the final period Kory Koerperich and Jalen Jackson combined for 23 points, helping the Roadrunners secure the 64-52 road win.
Rashaun Baldwin and Jackson netted six each in the first quarter, matching the total from Ganado’s Begay. In the second, Torrian Epps hit a pair of buckets for Holbrook, then added two more in the third period. In the final eight minutes Begay dropped in 11 of his game high 27 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep a more balanced Roadrunner squad out of the win column.
Jackson led Holbrook in scoring with 22 points. Koerperich added 17, Epps, 10, Baldwin, 6, Ilacian Johnson, 4, Bryson Keoni, 3, and Joey Aguilera, 2. The Birds made three treys, two from Jackson and one from Koerperich. At the free throw line, they converted 11 of 15 attempts.
Ganado was led by Begay with 27 points, which included a 10 for 10 performance at the free throw line. Quillan Blueyes added 8, Armando Cervantes, 7, Taime Dennison, 6, and Dakota Dechee and Sheridan Billie, 2 each. The Hornets made five three-point field goals and went 13 for 14 at the charity stripe.
Holbrook 14 15 12 23 64
Ganado 6 14 16 16 52
With the win Holbrook improved to 24-4 overall and 7-1 in regional play. The Birds will battle the Bulldogs in a huge game tonight (Feb. 4) at Winslow which could determine the overall region champion. The Roadrunners have a chance to be the top seed in the upcoming state tournament with a win, although that outcome won’t be known for sure until all four regions have completed their regular season play. Holbrook will be in action next week in the North Regional, but that schedule has not yet been determined.
