Johnson returns, helps Cheyenne to win

Elijah Johnson didn't take long Wednesday to quell concerns about knee injuries that kept him sidelined Tuesday.

The Cheyenne senior guard scored the game's first eight points in spectacular fashion to help the Desert Shields to a 59-48 victory over visiting Silverado.

Johnson, who has signed with Kansas, scored the first two points on an alley-oop to himself off the floor in transition. He then hit consecutive 3-pointers to build an 8-0 lead before two minutes had elapsed.

"We have some big games early," Johnson said. "It feels good to come back and help with a big win."

Saddled with foul trouble much of the second half, Johnson scored all 12 of his points in the first.

He sat out Tuesday's 91-68 victory over Rancho to rest minor injuries to his knees that he suffered Dec. 4 against Desert Pines.

"Both of my knees were bad, but I'm all right," Johnson said.

Chris McCall scored 20 points and Demetric Williams 14 for Cheyenne (4-0), which outscored Silverado 16-8 in the second quarter.

Wade Collie (24 points) and Ali Sabra (11) were the only double-figure scorers for the Skyhawks (3-2).

"We don't have the manpower that most of these guys do," said Silverado coach Ron Childress, who has seven players in his rotation. "For us to lose to them by 11, we can take something positive out of it."

Cheyenne still was without senior shooting guard Mike Cutright, a Northwestern State signee who transferred to Cheyenne from Cimarron-Memorial in November.

A ruling was issued Tuesday denying Cutright's appeal for immediate eligibility, Cheyenne coach Teral Fair said.

Cutright transferred without changing addresses believing he would be eligible with an opt-in form because of Cheyenne's status as one of 14 empowerment schools in Clark County. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association has said there is no such precedent.

Cutright's mother is seeking legal counsel, Fair said.

"That's where the fight lies right now, on the validity of the form," Fair said.

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.