Round one of the I-40 rivalry between Holbrook and Winslow went to the Bulldogs last Thursday night.
Playing at home the Bulldogs withstood three first period treys from Holbrook and led 13-11 after one period. In the second Ricardo Villanueva made all of Winslow’s field goals, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to six points. Hayden Kinlichee made two of his four treys in the second period to keep the Roadrunners close.
Elliot Pete took over the scoring duties for the Birds in the third with seven points, but Winslow’s lead grew to double digits. In the fourth Holbrook made just two field goals and Winslow countered with an 18-point barrage to win the game 63-39.
Kinlichee led the Roadrunners with 14. Pete added 11; Tyrell Nelson and Jared Woody, 3 each; and Korey McReeves, Damian Begay, Tynen Thomas and JE Cummings, 2 each. Holbrook hit six three-point shots, four from Kinlichee, and went 5 for 10 at the line.
Winslow was led by Villanueva with 18. Darius James added 12; Trishane Cly, 11; Rory Billie, 8; Pete Dalgai, 7; Jaun Tapaha, 5; and Avondrae Yellowhair, 2. The Bulldogs made five treys and converted 8 of 14 free throws.
On Saturday night the Roadrunners played well early against the second ranked Valley Christian Trojans, but a second half offensive struggle led them to a 48-36 loss.
Holbrook started quickly, with Thomas netting eight first period points, pacing the Birds to a 17-12 lead. Kinlichee drained eight in the second to keep the Roadrunners on top at the half, 28-25.
The third period was the turning point. Valley Christian had seven players combine to score 14 while holding Holbrook to just one Pete field goal, leaving the Roadrunners trailing 39-30 with eight minutes to play. The Roadrunners had trouble escaping a taller and more athletic Trojan team in the fourth, adding just six more points to their total in the loss. They played extremely hard, but in the end the higher ranked visitors won the game.
Holbrook was led by Kinlichee with 11. Pete added 10; Thomas, 8; and McReeves, 7. The Roadrunners made six three-point goals and went 4 for 5 at the line.
Valley Christian was led by Grayson Howell with 11. The Trojans made three treys and went 9 for 12 at the line.
With the two losses the Roadrunners dropped to 6-9 on the season. After hosting Payson on Tuesday, they will travel to Lakeside on Friday, Jan. 20, to meet Blue Ridge, then host Page on Saturday. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, they travel to Show Low.
