Canyon Springs backup steps up, sinks Eldorado boys

Canyon Springs reserve guard Trey Evans only had two baskets in the fourth quarter on Tuesday.
But they couldn’t have come at a bigger time.

After Eldorado had taken a one-point lead, Evans scored five straight points, and the Pioneers never trailed again, hanging on for an 83-75 home victory.

“Trey, he’s come up big,” Canyon Springs coach Daryl Branham said. “He’s got the green light to shoot, and he can score. He figures out a way to put it in the hole.”

Eldorado’s D.J. Billingsley had just hit a 3-pointer to put the Sundevils up 64-63 when Evans came up with a loose ball after a missed shot and scored to give the Pioneers (21-1, 10-0 Northeast League) the lead for good.

Just more than a minute later, Evans hit a transition 3-pointer to make it 68-64 with 5:26 to play.

Eldorado (18-5, 7-3) got within one point after a 3-pointer by Curtis Stewart made it 68-67 but never tied the game or took the lead again.

Evans finished with 13 points, but senior forward Jared Brandon carried the Pioneers with 31 points and seven rebounds.

“I don’t know what more you can say about Jared,” Branham said. “What he did tonight speaks for itself. He’s difficult to guard. He’s long, he’s athletic, he’s quick. He’s a very versatile player. Tonight’s an example of what he can really do.”

Canyon Springs, which won its ninth straight, led 37-24 midway through the second quarter before Eldorado rallied. The Sundevils closed the half on a 15-6 run to cut their deficit to 43-39 at the break.

The lead changed hands six times in the third quarter and twice early in the fourth before Evans took charge.

Michael Thompson added 19 points and five rebounds for Canyon Springs.

Stewart had 29 points, 15 rebounds and two blocked shots. DaQuon Thrower added 13 points and Billingsley 11.

“Eldorado’s a good team. They’re athletic and quick, and Stewart’s a hell of a player,” Branham said. “We expected a dogfight.”