By Greg Perkins The Roadrunners started a small win streak last week picking up region wins over Show Low on Tuesday and Blue Ridge on Friday. With the initial AIA power rankings released Thursday, Holbrook finds themselves with some work to do in order to climb into the top 16 in the rankings and qualify for this year’s 3A state tournament. Holbrook was ranked 22nd prior to Friday’s win over Blue Ridge. Playing in Show Low on Tuesday, the Birds played the Cougars to a two-point game through the first frame. Nick Begay netted five and Anthony Nelson helped with four keeping it a 14-12 game after one. In the second, Holbrook began to turn the tide behind a huge quarter from senior guard Nelson who poured in 12 points. Quentin Thomas and Damien Clark both hit three-point shots and Begay added two to his total helping Holbrook take a 33-30 lead into the locker room. Nelson canned two more treys in the third, Thomas added five points and Clark hit another three as Holbrook extended their lead by three. Thomas and Caden Tom combined for 12 points in the fourth helping Holbrook secure the 64-56 win. Nelson finished the game with 22 points. Thomas added 14; Begay, 9; Clark, 7; Tom, 6; and Brandon Tapaha also netted six. Holbrook made six of 10 free throws and hit 10 three-point field goals. Show Low was led by aptly named Cougar Cooke with a game high 25 points. The Cougars made five treys and connected on six of eight charity tosses. Friday’s home game with Blue Ridge saw the long-awaited presence of transfer Noah Brown and Malik Bahe to Holbrook’s line up. Needing to win the majority of their final seven games, the Roadrunners now have two additional weapons to utilize down the stretch. Brown a traditional transfer from Winslow had to await the half season mark to play, and Bahe coming in from Chinle had to reach the 14 days of practice threshold before being allowed on the court. Both players contributed to what ended up being an eight-point lead over the Yellowjackets. Thomas who is starting to find his stride on the court poured in six of his team high 15 points on a pair of threes in the first keeping Holbrook within a point at the quarter break. In the second Bahe made his presence felt with eight points including two treys. Nelson added seven and Holbrook took a 32-25 half time lead. Thomas scored six in the third and Bahe added another trey as Holbrook’s lead grew to sixteen heading to the fourth. In the final stanza Blue Ridge tried to make a game of it outscoring Holbrook by seven, but the Roadrunners made enough free throws to seal the deal and get the 56-48 home court win. Thomas led the team in scoring with 15. Bahe added 13; Nelson, 12; Begay, 5; Brown, 5; Clark, 3; and Tapaha finished with one three-point field goal. Holbrook made seven three-point field goals and went 13 for 22 at the line. Blue Ridge was paced by Zane Rex with 17, Allen Aday also reached double figures with 15. The Yellowjackets made nine of 16 charity tosses and hit five three-point field goals. With the two wins Holbrook pushed their overall season mark to 4-5. They are 3-3 in east region play. Another busy week ahead with three games. After hosting highly ranked Snowflake on Tuesday, the Roadrunners will play at Round Valley on Wednesday, then will travel to Payson on Friday. Next Tuesday they host Winslow.
