Pioneers seize control after Vikings’ dry spell

Valley’s boys basketball team started the second half with a flurry of activity Tuesday night.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, it was a flurry of missed shots.

Despite numerous offensive rebounds and second chances, Valley made just one of its first 11 field-goal attempts and went 0-for-4 from the line in the first four minutes of the half.

Second-ranked Canyon Springs (16-1, 5-0 Northeast League) responded with a 9-2 run to take control en route to a 93-73 home victory over sixth-ranked Valley (14-3, 4-1).

“I was surprised as many second-chance opportunities as we gave up that we still were able to go on a run in the first four minutes (of the third quarter),” Pioneers coach Daryl Branham said. “We just tried to persevere.”

Jared Brandon hit two free throws with 4:28 to go in the third quarter to cap the run and extend Canyon Springs’ lead to 54-41. Valley wouldn’t get closer than nine the rest of the way.

Brandon served mostly as a distributor in the first half, finishing with four assists. But the 6-foot-5-inch senior picked up the scoring after halftime, scoring 20 of his game-high 24 points.

“Jared can really play,” Branham said. “We’ve known the potential’s always been there, and this year he’s really coming out. I’ve told everybody I think he’s the biggest sleeper in town.”

Brandon had 14 points in the third quarter as the Pioneers extended their lead to 72-53.

Branham said Brandon’s ability to handle the ball, shoot from the outside and bang around the basket make him a difficult matchup.

“He’s just a very hard kid to guard because of his size,” Branham said. “He’s a very versatile player, and being 6-4, 6-5, he’s hard to guard. He’s a hard matchup problem.”

Michael Thompson had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Pioneers, who have won four in a row since an 80-76 overtime loss to La Costa Canyon (Calif.).

Trey Evans had 13 points and Donald Anderson 12 for Canyon Springs.

Angelo Coleman led Valley with 12 points and seven rebounds.