Pioneers all-stars help Sunrise to basketball win

Canyon Springs' boys basketball team enjoyed a historic season that culminated with the first Class 4A state title since the school opened in 2004.

So it was fitting that the Pioneers had their fingerprints all over the Las Vegas Area High School Senior All-Star Game on Saturday at Mountain View.

Canyon Springs forward Chris Willis made the first of two free throws with 12 seconds left to tie the game at 121, then rebounded his missed second shot and scored in the lane to lift the Sunrise Region seniors to a 123-121 victory over their Sunset counterparts.

"Chris is one of those kids whose motor never stops, and it shows good things happen to people who work," said Sunrise coach Daryl Branham, who resigned as Canyon Springs' coach in April.

Willis led the Sunrise with 20 points. Also for Canyon Springs, forward Jared Brandon scored 15 points, guard Donald Anderson supplied 10 points, three assists and four steals, and guard Michael Thompson scored six points.

"We've been together all four years, so it was definitely an advantage," Willis said. "Just playing with these cats again feels good. ... I love them."

Eldorado forward Curtis Stewart scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half to help the Sunrise rally from a 60-54 halftime deficit. Green Valley swingman Earl Thompson had 11 points and four assists for the Sunrise, and Chaparral forward Zach Kirschbaum tallied eight points and seven rebounds.

Playing on his home court, Mountain View guard Justyn Anderson led the Sunset with 22 points on 9-for-12 shooting.

Desert Oasis forward Cameron Mich'l racked up 20 points and seven rebounds for the Sunset. Sierra Vista guards Maiscei Grier (17) and Viko Noma'aea (16) and Durango guard Cameron Stemley (13) also scored in double figures for the Sunset.

In the earlier seniors exhibition game, Chaparral guard Jermaine Neal scored 20 points to lead the Sunrise to a 99-82 win over the Sunset.

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