Holbrook had their regular season unbeaten streak stopped in Chinle on Tuesday night. The Roadrunners headed to Chinle with a 4-0 mark, but a late game free throw by Chinle’s Aiden Kinlichee ended that win streak with a 48-47 Holbrook loss.
Chinle led by 6 after one, and by 2 at the half. That edge grew to 6 by the end of the third. Holbrook made a run in the fourth outscoring the Wildcats in the fourth, but they came up just one point short.
Caleb Cummings led Holbrook with 16 points. Tyler Tapaha added 11; Chase Salabye, 8; Travis Bia, 4; Jaron Becenti, 3; Manny Rico, 3; and Leyton Tom scored 2.
Holbrook played six games over three days at the Round Valley Roundball Tournament held in Springerville last weekend. By the time the dust had settled, Holbrook went 6-0, claiming the tournament championship for the fourth consecutive year.
The tourney began on Thursday with Holbrook holding off Fort Thomas 45-43. Tapaha led with 16, and Becenti netted 13. Holbrook’s second game on Thursday was a more comfortable 68-36 win over Duncan. Four players scored in double figures including Tapaha with 14, Travis Bia with 12, Cummings with 11, and Becenti with 10.
Holbrook advanced to bracket play on Friday morning and took care of Valley Sanders 71-36. Cummings had the hot hand, draining 31 points including nine treys. Bia added 16 points.
With that win, they advanced to the quarterfinal round where they picked up a 65-40 win over St. Johns. Tapaha led with 16 points. Cummings and Rico each hit for 12, and Salabye finished with 11.
In the semifinal game, Holbrook took care of Pima by a final of 52-43. Tapaha again had a big game leading all scorers with 24 points. Cummings added 13.
In the title game, Holbrook pulled out to a big lead over Morenci, then held on late to win the game 68-32. Morenci scored 24 points in the final eight minutes to make the game close after trailing by over 20 in the third quarter.
Tapaha continued with his great play, netting 32 points in the final. Becenti added 11, as did Cummings.
Tapaha was named to the all-tournament team and was also the tournament MVP.
Holbrook is now 12-3 overall and 4-1 in regular season play. This week they open east region play with a trip to Blue Ridge on Thursday night followed by an afternoon game in Winslow on Saturday. Following Saturday’s game with the Bulldogs, Holbrook will have time off before resuming play on Jan. 7, when they host Round Valley.
