New coach, same concept

Holbrook boys getting it done on defense

HOLRBROOK, Ariz.

Playing man-to-man defense has been a staple for the Holbrook boys basketball team.

That style of play clearly worked for them when they won the Arizona 3A state title game in 2011 under then head coach Raul Mendoza.

That team from four years ago had a lot of experience says current head coach Delmar Johnson, who worked under Mendoza for eight years as an assistant.

“This team that I have now is a lot younger than that team,” Johnson said. “That team had three-year varsity starters when they won the state title. I consider this team young because we have two guys that have played on the varsity team for two years.

“So the biggest difference is experience,” he added.

Nonetheless, the Roadrunners are playing like a veteran basketball team with a 22-7 overall record heading into Friday’s final game of the regular season with Alchesay.

It’s probably worth mentioning that they have a lock as the No. 2 seed for next week’s sectional tournament, which starts on Feb. 11 at Show Low High School.

The Roadrunners are getting it done by applying that same defensive scheme the 2011 team employed during their state championship run.

And considering how young they are, Johnson didn’t feel they were exceeding their expectations.
“I think we’re playing the way we know we can play,” Johnson said. “We’re still trying to work out some kinks as far as cutting down on turnovers and making free throws.”

Still, Johnson said they are playing a lot better than they have since the early part of January. The Roadrunner started the new year with a 61-52 loss to Snowflake and since then they went 9-2 for the rest of the month.

“Some of the seniors have real stepped it up,” the Holbrook coach said.

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