FOOTHILL CLASSIC: Canyon Springs boys overcome pointed loss, cruise to title

No point guard, no problem.

Canyon Springs’ boys basketball team was missing point guard Donald Anderson on Wednesday night, but the Pioneers didn’t miss a beat, dominating Salpointe (Ariz.) 73-55 for the Foothill Holiday Classic Gold Division title.

“We didn’t have D.J. Anderson tonight, but some kids picked up for him and everybody played pretty hard and picked up for somebody who wasn’t here,” Canyon Springs coach Daryl Branham said.

Branham said Anderson was in a car accident on his way to the game. The coach added Anderson was fine, but unable to make the game.

Even without their steady leader, the Pioneers led virtually from start to finish.

“You’re talking about a guy that doesn’t turn the ball over a lot,” Branham said of Anderson. “I think he’s one of the best point guards in the city and he’s part of that glue that holds us together.”

Without Anderson, the ball spent more time in the hands of senior guard Michael Thompson — and that was a good thing for Canyon Springs.

Thompson had 29 points and eight rebounds to lead the way Tuesday while earning tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

Branham called the night one of the most consistent performances of the season for Thompson, who has signed with Boise State.

“Offensively, defensively and rebounding, Mike did a great job tonight,” Branham said.

Rebounding was one of the keys to the victory for Canyon Springs. Chris Willis had eight boards, and D’Vante Howard came off the bench to grab seven rebounds as the Pioneers posted a 42-26 edge on the glass.

“We’re not very big, but the kids have a lot of energy on the boards,” Branham said. “And we preach to them that we have to rebound in order to be in the game.”

Jared Brandon added 18 points and five rebounds for Canyon Springs, which plays in the MaxPreps Holiday Tournament in Torrey Pines, Calif., next week.

“Hopefully we can build on what we’ve done so far and it’ll carry over to the next tournament and getting back into league when we come back,” Branham said.

Valley 68, Redondo Union (Calif.) 52 — Christian Kessee scored 22 points to lead the Vikings past the Sea Hawks in the third-place game.

Angelo Coleman and Jarrett Coleman each added 12 points for Valley, which went on a 12-2 run midway through the second half to take a 50-40 lead.

Caleb Carter had nine points and 12 rebounds for Valley.

Derek Biale scored 19 to lead Redondo Union.

Foothill 65, Melbourne 1 (Australia) 62 — Greg Cox hit a 3-pointer with 3:45 to play to break a 57-57 tie, and the Falcons held on for the win.

Cox had 23 points, including four 3-pointers, to help Foothill rally from a huge early deficit.

Dakota Yamka came off the bench to add 10 points and eight rebounds, and Zach Ginter had 10 points and seven boards for Foothill.

Brannon Cresanto had six rebounds and six assists for the Falcons, who trailed 46-25 with 2:59 to go in the first half.

Melbourne had originally qualified for the championship game, but had to leave because it had a flight before the title game’s scheduled tipoff.

The Australian team went on a 22-3 run, highlighted by a steal and windmill dunk by Deng Deng, to take a 40-21 lead with 4:58 to go in the first half.

Deng finished with 11 points and seven rebounds, all in the first half. He picked up his fourth foul on a technical with 12:09 to go in the second half and fouled out with 3:14 left.

Bishop Manogue 81, Palo Verde 72 — Ethan Dillard was 10-for-16 from 3-point range and scored 33 points to lead the Miners past the Panthers.

Niles Lujan added 18 points and 10 assists for Manogue, which closed the game on a 15-6 run.

Eris Winder had 20 points, six rebounds and eight assists to pace Palo Verde. Jordyn Martin added 18 points and Nahjee Matlock scored 13 for the Panthers.

Lincoln (Colo.) 63, Legacy 61 — Dominic Williams had 20 points as the Lancers edged the Longhorns.

Andre Washington led Legacy with 18 points. Zach Lane scored 12 and Cardon Hughes added 10 for the Longhorns, who led 41-24 at the half.

Denver East 60, Arbor View 44 — Ernes Kalac had 18 points to lead the Angels past the Aggies.

DeAndrea Johnson scored 11 to lead Arbor View.

ThunderRidge (Colo.) 72, Las Vegas 62 — Ryan Arnold had 15 points to lead the Grizzlies past the Wildcats.

Hasaan Henderson paced Las Vegas with 15 points. Travon Langston and Juwon Major each added 12 points for the Wildcats.

Threatt Academy (Australia) 54, Liberty 52 — Michael Witham scored 22 points as Threatt edged the Patriots.

Desert Oasis 52, Shadow Ridge 40 — Cameron Mich’l hit a 3-pointer with 5:13 to play to break a 34-34 tie, and the Diamondbacks pulled away to clinch third place in the Silver Division.

Mich’l finished with 17 pints and five rebounds for Desert Oasis. He started slowly, making just 2 of 13 shots from the field in the first half.

But he had 12 points in the second half, including eight in the final 5:13.

Anthony Lianzo added 11 points, and Zach Bobenhausen grabbed 16 rebounds for Desert Oasis.

Kenneth Bridges-Lewis had 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists for the Diamondbacks.

Nick Flowers led Shadow Ridge with 14 points, and David Everage added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Mustangs.

Del Sol 62, Melbourne 2 (Australia) 59 — David Day had 18 points to lead the Dragons to the win.

Aaron Rife added 10 points, and James Johnson had eight points and 10 rebounds for Del Sol.

Faith Lutheran 58, Galena 48 — D’Khari Hicks had 14 points as the Crusaders topped the Grizzlies.

Joe Portaro added 11 points for Faith Lutheran.

Desert Pines 78, Bonanza 70 — Najee McIver had 21 points to lead six Jaguars in double figures.

Leon Saunders added 16 points, William Hill scored 11 and Chancellor Davis, Jesse Martin and Joshua Velarde each supplied 10 points.

Basic 70, Melbourne 3 (Australia) 63 — Kyle Taitano and Jaylene Brown each had 14 points to lead the Wolves to the win.

Donavon Miller scored 10 for Basic.

Granite Hills (Calif.) 68, Green Valley 62 — Garrett Larch-Miller had 32 points to lead the Eagles past the Gators.

Austin Tebbs led Green Valley with 19 points. Mike Thornton scored 15 and Earl Thmpson added 14 points for the Gators.