Sierra Vista boys gain revenge, crucial win
Sierra Vista’s boys basketball team came to Western looking for a little payback Wednesday.
Maiscei Grier made sure the Mountain Lions left with that and a lot more.
The senior guard scored a game-high 17 points, including the go-ahead basket down the stretch, to lift Sierra Vista to a crucial 66-59 Southwest League victory.
The Mountain Lions (18-3, 8-2 Southwest) avenged an 87-70 home loss to Western in December and, more important, kept the inside track on the league’s No. 2 seed for the Sunset Region playoffs.
“It meant a lot to us to get them back since they beat us the first time by so many in our house,” Grier said. “We felt we had to get a little redemption, so this win feels really good.”
Grier nailed a jump shot from the right elbow to give Sierra Vista a 59-58 lead with just under two minutes left, and the Mountain Lions led the rest of the way.
Grier also sank two free throws with 59.5 seconds remaining to give Sierra Vista a 61-58 lead.
“He’s a pure, natural shooter, and from mid-range, he’s just automatic,” Sierra Vista coach Kent Johnson said of Grier, who added three steals. “He’s a great free-throw shooter, too. He’s a blessing to have on this team.”
The Mountain Lions trail only Bishop Gorman (15-5, 10-0) in the Southwest standings. If they can hold on to second place, it would mean hosting a quarterfinal playoff game and avoiding a possible playoff matchup with Gorman until the Sunset title game.
Two forwards came off the bench to give Sierra Vista a boost. Justice Odabi scored 12 points, and Dallin Molina had 11 points, 11 rebounds and two steals.
“They meant a lot to our team tonight,” Grier said. “Dallin and Justice stepping up, that was key.”
Aaron Buckley hit four 3-pointers on his way to 16 points for Western (17-5, 6-4). Kentrell Washington had 15 points and four assists for the Warriors, Sir Washington scored 12 points and Kenyon Washington had 11 points and six rebounds.
The Warriors, who are tied with Spring Valley (9-7, 6-4) for third in the Southwest, have lost five of their last nine games after a 13-0 start.
