Canyon Springs tops Rancho, eyes Northeast League girls title
By Justin Emerson Las Vegas Review-Journal
Canyon Springs’ Brooklyn Knox (42) and Rancho’s Taylor DeGourville (42) grapple over the ball at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Canyon Springs won 58-38. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Canyon Springs’ Kayla Johnson (10) reaches for the ball while competing with Rancho’s Taylor DeGourville (42), left, and Kekai States (3) at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Canyon Springs won 58-38. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Canyon Springs’ Iyani Hayden (23) and Rancho’s Kekai States (3) grapple over the ball at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Canyon Springs won 58-38. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Canyon Springs’ Ke’Ajanae Haley (13) attempts to get around Rancho defenders Kyndal Ricks (24), right, and Lea Williams (1) at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Canyon Springs won 58-38. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Rancho’s Kekai States (3) tries to keep the ball away from Canyon Springs’ Kayla Johnson (10) at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Canyon Springs won 58-38. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Canyon Springs’ Brooklyn Knox (42) and Rancho’s Taylor DeGourville (42) grapple over the ball at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Canyon Springs won 58-38. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Rancho’s Kyndal Ricks (24) takes the ball down the court while Canyon Springs’ Ke’Ajanae Haley (13) comes up behind her at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Canyon Springs won 58-38. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Rancho’s Kristal Sullivan (40) reaches for the ball while Canyon Springs players Diamond Coleman (21) and Shania Pollord (40) at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Canyon Springs won 58-38. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Canyon Springs players celebrate after defeating Rancho 58-38 at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Canyon Springs’ Kayla Johnson (10) dribbles around Rancho’s Kyndal Ricks (24) at Rancho High School in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. Canyon Springs won 58-38. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Had the Canyon Springs girls basketball team lost Tuesday night, the Pioneers would have been eliminated from contention for the Northeast League title.
Now they’re in prime position to win it.
Ke’Ajanae Haley scored 14 points to lead three double-figure scorers and power the Pioneers to a 58-38 road victory over Rancho.
The Pioneers moved into a tie with Rancho for first place in the league and need a win or a Rancho loss to clinch their second league title in a row.
“We felt like we’re the better team, and it was a great job by the girls,” Canyon Springs coach Christopher Walker said.
After Rancho led 5-4 to start the game, the Pioneers (15-6, 6-1 Northeast League) took off from there and never trailed again. They took a 43-25 lead early in the fourth quarter, but two free throws and a 3-pointer from Rancho senior Kyndal Ricks woke up the crowd and brought the Rams (17-10, 6-1) within 13 points. Ricks finished with a team-high 14 points.
Canyon Springs called a timeout, then scored 12 consecutive points to grab a 55-30 lead, its biggest of the night.
J’hane Richardson had 13 points for Canyon Springs, and LeAsianique Williams scored 10.
“We don’t rely on one person; we rely on a team,” Walker said. “When you have a good team effort, good things happen.”
Canyon Springs ends its regular season Thursday against Las Vegas (5-21), and a win would clinch the Northeast League. Rancho finishes against Eldorado (5-11) and needs a win and a Canyon Springs loss for its first league title since 2007.
