Jones’ gamble pays off as Falcons stop Jaguars

With the seconds ticking away and his team leading by three points Tuesday night, Foothill senior Earl Jones did the last thing his coaches would have wanted -- and it couldn't have worked out better.

As Desert Pines' Pierre Jackson started to go up for a potential game-tying 3-point attempt, Jones reached in and came away with the strip to seal a 75-72 home win in the Sunrise Region quarterfinals.

The Falcons (21-8) advance to meet Canyon Springs (22-6) in a regional semifinal at 8 p.m. Thursday at Green Valley.

"That's what gives me gray hairs, these kids," Foothill coach Kevin Soares said. "You tell them, 'Just play smart and play disciplined basketball,' and they think they can make a play. He thought he could make a play, and he did, and tonight for us it worked out."

Jones hit two free throws with 10 seconds left to push the lead to three, and he decided the gamble was worth it.

"I was just trying to get a defensive stop," Jones said. "I didn't want them to shoot a 3 and send it to overtime."

Jones had just two field goals through the first three quarters before taking over in the final period. Foothill trailed 57-55 entering the fourth quarter, but Jones scored 12 of his 16 points in the period as the Falcons rallied.

"He was frustrated all night because they were keying on him, but our other guys stepped up," Soares said. "We told him at halftime, we'll call your number when necessary. In the fourth quarter, they kind of sagged off and started letting him go one-on-one, and he answered the bell."

Sophomore Evan Roquemore was the key in the first half, scoring 17 of his game-high 19 points, including three key 3-pointers.

"He was working with one of our assistant coaches on his jump shot all weekend," Soares said. "And thank God. It looked good tonight."

Ben Green added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Foothill, and teammate Kadeem Minor had 10 points and five assists. Jones also had seven assists.

Kimani Bullard had 17 points to lead Desert Pines (16-8), which trailed by seven in the fourth quarter before rallying to make the game interesting. C.J. Myles hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left to cut the lead to one, but Jones' free throws and steal sealed the victory.

"We're a game closer to state," Jones said. "That's our main goal."

Jackson added 16 points and nine rebounds for the Jaguars, and teammate Reggie Shaw had 15 points and seven rebounds.

Desert Pines handed Foothill a 77-73 overtime loss in last year's first round.

"We've got that first-round curse," Soares said. "Thursday night I'll be a lot more relaxed, even though it's the semis."

• Canyon Springs 88, Green Valley 55 -- At Canyon Springs, Deremy Geiger had 30 points, seven assists and three steals to help the Pioneers defeat the Gators.

Canyon Springs led 29-14 after one quarter and outscored Green Valley 22-7 in the third. Antonio Snow had 21 points and four steals for the Pioneers, and Raveon Samuel scored 13.

Cody Aughney led Green Valley (12-13) with 18 points, and Josh McCarver scored 15.

• Liberty 54, Valley 51 -- At Liberty, Justin King's two free throws with one second left sealed the Patriots' comeback win over the Vikings.

Valley missed an attempt to go ahead in the closing seconds before fouling King, who finished with 18 points. Milos Knezevic had 15 points and Kenneth Peters 14 for the Patriots. Liberty trailed 29-20 at halftime but used a 20-12 third-quarter advantage to climb back into the game.

Liberty (21-8) will meet Eldorado (22-8) in a regional semifinal at 4:40 p.m. Thursday at Green Valley.

Johnquez Brooks led Valley (18-13) with 17 points.

• Eldorado 86, Silverado 76 -- At Eldorado, Mitrell Clark had 28 points to lead the Sundevils over the Skyhawks.

Curtis Malone added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Marcus Moreland had 15 points and eight boards for Eldorado.

Jimmy McMurrin led Silverado (18-9) with 20 points, and Ali Sabra scored 18.