Winslow boys gain upper hand in rivalry with Holbrook

HOLBROOK – In a mild upset, Winslow guard Tyren Puhuhefvaya provided a steady force for the visiting Bulldogs.

In a battle between a pair of top ten-ranked 3A squads, the senior guard finished with a game-best 25 points, helping No. 10 Winslow secure a 73-62 victory over second-ranked Holbrook Roadrunners in a key East Region showdown on Jan. 18.

“Tyren is our Energizer Bunny,” Winslow coach Venton Nelson said. “He motivates the team and he’s a guy that brings a lot of energy even when he’s on the bench. He gives it 110% and that is what I like about him so much.”

Winslow also received 14 points from senior post Isaac David and 13, all scored in the second-half, from Lythel Baker.

“Our boys were looking forward to this rivalry game,” Nelson said. “We’re separated by 30 miles and the kids know each other well. They grew up together and they went to school on the reservation in Dilkon, Indian Wells and Seba Dalkai.

“I have two nephews that play on Holbrook’s team, so when we play it’s always exciting,” he said.

Puhuhefvaya scored 10 of his points in the pivotal third as Winslow (9-4 overall) increased a 30-27 halftime cushion into a 51-43 advantage entering the fourth.

“We were kind of feeling one another out in that first half,” Nelson said. “It was a tight score and we matched what (the Roadrunners) were doing, but when we came out of halftime, we didn’t lose focus.

“That was a huge plus for us because sometimes we get lackadaisical,” he added. “We picked up where we left off and we built some momentum.”

With the momentum, the Bulldogs scored on six of seven possessions to go up 45-32 following a two-point shot from Puhuhefvaya with 1:33 left in the third.

“I give Winslow all the credit in the world,” said Holbrook coach Delmar Johnson, whose team dropped to 9-2. “They were in attack mode the whole game. They played better, and defensively they played a heck of a game. Their zone really rattled my point guards because we didn’t get the open look we normally get.

“I think some of my guys were afraid of the showdown tonight and Winslow did what they were supposed to do,” he added. “They came in and they beat us. Hopefully, this changes our mindsets so that we can get back to winning.”

Both teams have identical 3-1 records in the 3A East, with Winslow having the upper hand based on the head-to-head result.

“This is a tough loss, but there is nothing for me to be mad about,” Johnson said. “The way I look at it is we got to deal with adversity. We got three big games (this) week, so we don’t have time to pout.”

Holbrook starts its three-game stretch at region rival Snowflake on Tuesday. The Roadrunners will then play 2A Round Valley on Thursday followed by a home region game with Blue Ridge.

“The loss tonight ended a four-game winning streak,” Johnson said. “We just have to go out there and start another winning streak.”

Holbrook was led by Tyler Tapaha as the senior post finished with 24 points, which included eight-point efforts in both the opening and final periods.

Xavier Brown added 23 points, which included seven treys.

“He should have probably 12,” Johnson said of his junior sharpshooter. “Some of them went in and came out.”

Holbrook’s other shooter, junior Jaron Becenti, struggled from the perimeter, making only one trey.

“He was kind of stressing a little bit, not taking his time and following through with his shots,” Johnson said. “A couple of his (shots) went in and rattled out. Caleb (Cummings) was also gun-shy tonight.”

With the 11-point win, Winslow moved up three spots in the latest polls as the Bulldogs are projected to make a return trip to the 3A state playoffs after a three-year hiatus. Holbrook, meanwhile, remained at No. 2.

“I’m happy with where we’re at,” Winslow’s Nelson said. “Hopefully, we can keep this going and continue to go up in the rankings and be in that top eight by the end of the season.”

The top eight teams will earn byes for the 3A state playoffs that start on Feb. 14 with teams seeded ninth through 24 playing a first-round game.

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