Birds Take Early Lead Over Pirates, Then Cruise To Win

By Greg Perkins
   Playing at Valley Sanders last Thursday night, the Roadrunners of Holbrook High School controlled the game in the early stages, the middle stages and the late stages, routing the Pirates 75-36 with all but one player getting into the scoring column.
   Holbrook came out on fire in the first period, scoring 29 points with four different players connecting from behind the arc. Defensively, the Roadrunners shut down the Pirates, allowing just four points, and the outcome of the game had already been determined.
   The second period went much like the first with the Birds netting 21 points, eight from Ilacian Johnson, to build a commanding 50-16 halftime lead. The third quarter was a little closer as Holbrook primarily played bench players, but the Birds still were able to extend the lead. In the fourth, Valley finally was able to match Holbrook in points, but it was far too little too late as the Roadrunners won the power point contest.
   Tyler Stingley and Johnson led a host of players in the scoring column with 12 points each. Adrian Sandoval and Joey Aguilera both netted 9, Brian Hansen added 8, Kory Koerperich, 7, Marcus Castillo, 5, Diamond Mitchell and Jalen Jackson, 4 each, Rashaun Baldwin, 3, and Ryan Baldonado, 2.
   Holbrook made 32 field goals, five from three-point land, and converted six of 13 free throws.
   The Pirates countered with only 14 field goals, also made five from behind the arc and converted one of four from the charity stripe.
Holbrook 29 21 13 12   75
Valley         4 12    8 12   36
   Holbrook improved to 3-0 on the season. After playing in Payson on Monday, if the weather allowed, the Roadrunners will be in action at the Round Valley tournament Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 10-12, in Eagar. Next week they will open North region play when they host Window Rock on Tuesday, Dec. 15.