Pioneers seize control after Vikings’ dry spell

Valley's boys basketball team started the second half with a flurry of activity Tuesday night.

Unfortunately for the Vikings, it was a flurry of missed shots.

Despite numerous offensive rebounds and second chances, Valley made just one of its first 11 field-goal attempts and went 0-for-4 from the line in the first four minutes of the half.

Second-ranked Canyon Springs (16-1, 5-0 Northeast League) responded with a 9-2 run to take control en route to a 93-73 home victory over sixth-ranked Valley (14-3, 4-1).

"I was surprised as many second-chance opportunities as we gave up that we still were able to go on a run in the first four minutes (of the third quarter)," Pioneers coach Daryl Branham said. "We just tried to persevere."

Jared Brandon hit two free throws with 4:28 to go in the third quarter to cap the run and extend Canyon Springs' lead to 54-41. Valley wouldn't get closer than nine the rest of the way.

Brandon served mostly as a distributor in the first half, finishing with four assists. But the 6-foot-5-inch senior picked up the scoring after halftime, scoring 20 of his game-high 24 points.

"Jared can really play," Branham said. "We've known the potential's always been there, and this year he's really coming out. I've told everybody I think he's the biggest sleeper in town."

Brandon had 14 points in the third quarter as the Pioneers extended their lead to 72-53.

Branham said Brandon's ability to handle the ball, shoot from the outside and bang around the basket make him a difficult matchup.

"He's just a very hard kid to guard because of his size," Branham said. "He's a very versatile player, and being 6-4, 6-5, he's hard to guard. He's a hard matchup problem."

Michael Thompson had 21 points and nine rebounds for the Pioneers, who have won four in a row since an 80-76 overtime loss to La Costa Canyon (Calif.).

Trey Evans scored 13 points and Donald Anderson 12 points for Canyon Springs.

Angelo Coleman led Valley with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Contact prep sports editor Damon Seiters at dseiters@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.