Three more games and three more wins for the hot-shooting Holbrook Roadrunners. The Birds downed two region foes, then capped the week with an upset win over third-ranked Monument Valley on Saturday afternoon.
Holbrook’s week started with an easy 62-45 win over visiting Show Low on Tuesday night. The Birds started slowly matching the Cougars’ 11-point performance in the first eight minutes. Holbrook duplicated that effort in the second and led 22 to 20 at the half. The game was decided in the third period where Holbrook exploded for 30 points. Sophomore Tyler Tapaha scored 12 in the quarter and Quentin Thomas hit a pair of treys. Holbrook cruised to the win in the fourth.
Noah Brown led in scoring with 23 points. Tyler Tapaha added 18; Thomas, 9; Brandon Tapaha, 7; Sam Francisco, 3; and Izzy Ramos scored one field goal.
Friday night in front of a packed Munoz Gym Holbrook took care of Winslow, 72-58. Like the previous game, the two teams were knotted at the end of the first. In the second, Holbrook held the Bulldogs to just 10 points, building a 33-27 lead. A big third quarter from Brown led to a 15-point lead. Holbrook played even in the fourth to win the game.
Brown led all scorers with 27 points. Brandon Tapaha added 13; Thomas, 12; Tyler Tapaha, 8; and Kyle Smith and Francisco each added 6.
Another packed gym on Saturday afternoon witnessed Holbrook handing visiting Monument Valley their first regular season loss by a final of 67-53. The Birds started hot with Thomas netting nine in the first frame, matching the Mustang’s total output. Monument rallied in the second but Holbrook still led 30-24 at the break. In the third, Thomas added 13 more to his total and Holbrook built a 16-point lead heading to the fourth. In the final eight minutes, the Mustangs outscored Holbrook by two but Holbrook cruised down the final two minutes to get the win.
Monument Valley’s Albrandon Byjoe led all scorers with 32 points. Thomas nearly matched that finishing with 28 for Holbrook. Brown added 23; Tyler Tapaha, 24; and Brandon Tapaha netted two.
With the three wins, Holbrook improved their overall season mark to 22-4. They were ranked sixth prior to the weekend wins and should be at least fifth when the rankings come out on Tuesday. Holbrook will close out the regular season this week with a game in Snowflake on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Payson on Thursday. Holbrook will be hosting at least one state playoff game in the 3A state tournament.
