The Roadrunners split two games played last week with a tough home court loss to St. Johns on Tuesday night, followed by an impressive road win over Round Valley on Saturday night.
Hosting St. Johns, the Birds seemed in control early with a 15-6 lead after the first eight minutes. The visitors matched them in the second leaving Holbrook with a 28-19 halftime lead.
Travis Bia netted 9 in the half, and Brady Becenti added 8 with two threes. In the third, Holbrook extended their lead to 46-29 and appeared headed to a comfortable win. St. Johns had other ideas. In the final eight minutes of regulation the Redskins outscored Holbrook 20-3 to force overtime. In the extra four minutes they kept that momentum handing Holbrook a 62-54 overtime loss after the Birds were in complete control through three quarters.
Bia led Holbrook with 16 points. Becenti added 11, Bryalon Taliman, 10; Amare Nelson, 7; Manny Rico, 7; and Manny Guerrero helped with 3. Holbrook made 10 of 17 free throws and hit eight 3-point shots.
The Redskins were led by Max Udall’s 24-point effort. As a team they made 18 of 27 free throws and connected on 6 trifecta shots.
Saturday night Holbrook was in Round Valley where they jumped out to a 23-8 first quarter lead and never looked back. Taliman drained 10 points in the first frame with a pair of treys. Holbrook extended their lead by one in the second to lead 32-16 at the break.
Six points from Nelson, and four from Bia moved Holbrook’s lead to 49-25 after three. Holbrook continued rolling in the fourth to a 61-33 final outcome.
Bia led the way with 15 points. Taliman added 12; Becenti, 10; Nelson, 9; Guerrero, 6; Rico, 5; Tyler Woody; and Channing King each helped with 2.
With the split Holbrook’s record moves to 4-4 overall and 4-1 in regular season play.
This week they will have hosted Chinle on Monday night, then will play in the Round Valley tournament beginning Thursday. They face Morenci and Valley Sanders in pool play on Thursday, then will open bracket play vs St. Michael on Friday. Holbrook’s final regular season game before the Christmas break will be Dec. 18, when they play at Snowflake.
