Holbrook went 5-1 at the Round Valley Roundball three-day tournament earning the championship with a 10-point win over Camp Verde in the title game on Saturday evening.
The Birds opened the tournament in pool play on Thursday against that same Camp Verde team and cruised to a 70-40 win. Eric Baldonado led the team in scoring with 20 followed closely by Kobi Koerperich who had 19. Anthony Nelson also netted double figures with 12.
Holbrook’s second pool game of the tournament was on Thursday afternoon vs. Alchesay. The Roadrunners played this game without four usual starters due to tournament scheduling but the younger group still fought hard before falling to the much bigger Falcons 59-54. Ethan Bahe led the Birds in scoring with 14 and Cordell Begay added 12 in the five-point loss.
Holbrook’s first bracket game came early Friday morning resulting in an easy 54-23 win over Mogollon. Bahe led the team in scoring with 12, Koerperich added 11, and Baldonado and Nelson each added 9.
The win over the Mustangs advanced the Birds to a match up with East Region foe Show Low on Friday evening. Holbrook cruised past the Cougars thanks to Koerperich’s long distance shooting. The senior guard connected on six treys en route to a game high 26 points. Baldonado added 14, and Damien Clark helped with 11 in the 58-40 win.
Holbrook returned to the dome early Saturday morning to meet up with the host team Round Valley in the semi-final matchup. The Elks were no match for the Birds who steam rolled them 65-34 behind three players in double figures. Baldonado dropped 18, Koerperich 16, and Nelson finished with 15 in the win which advanced them to the title game.
In the championship Holbrook once again met up with Camp Verde. This game was closer than the first with the score being knotted at 33-33 after three quarters were in the books.
In the fourth Holbrook got huge minutes from Baldonado who finished with a game high 28 points leading the Roadrunners to a 49-39 title game win. Nelson and Koerperich each added 7.
Baldonado was selected as the Tournament MVP. Koerperich joined him on the All Tournament team voted on by the coaches.
Holbrook enters this week with an overall record of 10-4. They have completed their two tournaments and will play nothing but regular season games from this point forward. The Birds are 3-1 in power point contests.
Holbrook will finally be at home for two games this week. They will host Chino Valley on Thursday, then will welcome in Window Rock on Friday in what will be their final game prior to the holiday break.
