HOLBROOK – It will take at least one more contest for Holbrook coach Rich Gifford to get his 500th career victory.

Latin Academy played a strong inside-outside game in the second half to put away Holbrook late in a 78-68 nonleague boys basketball road win Friday night.

“(Gifford) is a great coach,” said Dragons’ coach Dan Bunker about coaching against him. “He’s always very knowledgeable. He’s been a great resource for me over the years.”

Latin Academy (12-5) came out with a game plan in the third as it started on a 15-5 run capped by a putback for freshman Krem Amparo.

“The kids had a really good week of practice,” said Bunker. “We had a big win on Wednesday against TechBoston to qualify for the Boston City League tournament, so the kids are excited for that. Our kids have worked hard at practice and improved all year.”

Sophomore RJ Fernandez netted eight of his game-high 28 points during that run as he made 6-of-10 from distance as the Dragons pulled away in the third to lead 55-48.

“RJ is as focused a player as I have seen,” Bunker said. “He comes in and is a super, super hard worker. He was a bench player on JV last year and he said over the summer he would be a starter and he worked and here he is.”

Holbrook (12-5) was unable to get closer than that in the fourth even with sophomore captain Allen Brown Jr. scoring 16 of his 20 in the final frame.

In the first half, it was Amparo with several putbacks as he netted 12 of his 22 points in the first half as the Dragons led 20-13 after one thanks to a 12-4 run.

“(Amparo) is such a quick leaper,” said Bunker. “He’s done that for us all year. I think big things are ahead for that kid.”

Holbrook (12-5) came back in the second quarter as senior Armani Perkins 11 of his 26 in the frame as the Bulldogs led 33-31 after his layup in the final 30 seconds of the first half.

Next chance for Gifford’s 500th win will come back at home Monday against Boston Collegiate Charter at 6:30 p.m. Latin Academy will wrap up the regular season at Madison Park at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

Latin Academy’s Francisco Bailey rises above Holbrook’s Dakari Dingle for a shot during Latin Academy’s 78-68 victory in Holbrook. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)