Sunrise boys rally to win all-star contest in overtime

It was just a senior all-star basketball game. But the players didn’t treat it as just an exhibition Wednesday night.

After falling behind 67-51 in the third quarter, the Sunrise boys team rallied and won 102-98 in overtime at Foothill High School.

Canyon Springs’ Gerad Davis, an Eastern Washington signee, led the Sunrise with 16 points and eight rebounds. After the score was tied 98-98 in overtime, Davis hit four consecutive free throws to seal the win.

“Nothing ever changes for my kids,” said Sunrise coach Freddie Banks, who led Canyon Springs to the state championship game last season. “They know if they don’t play hard, they don’t play.”

Banks’ team kicked it up a notch in the second half after falling behind early.

Foothill’s Jalen Shepard scored 15 points, and Valley’s Spencer Mathis had 13 second-half points and six rebounds for the Sunrise.

The Sunset led 47-36 at halftime, thanks to 16 points by Bishop Gorman’s Obim Okeke. He hit four 3-pointers in the first half and finished with 18 points.

Durango’s Darryl Gaynor, a San Jose State signee, led the Sunset with 21 points.

Centennial’s Eddie Davis finished with 13 points and six rebounds, and Cimarron-Memorial’s Tony Harrison scored 13 for the Sunset.

■ In the girls game, Canyon Springs’ Cherise Beynon, a New Mexico signee, had 11 points, seven rebounds, three steals and three assists to help the Sunrise past the Sunset 60-49.

Foothill’s Kelsey McFarland added 12 points and five rebounds, and Liberty’s Jamellia Clark pulled down nine rebounds.

Sunrise coach Roger Hansen thinks having a practice Tuesday was the difference.

“That gave the girls a chance to meet each other and talk. We were a lot looser at the beginning of the game. The (Sunset) didn’t have a chance to have a practice, and it showed early,” Hansen said.

Centennial’s Teirra Hicks, who will play at UC Irvine next season, led all scorers with 25 points for the Sunset, with 21 in the second half.

Contact Ashton Ferguson at aferguson@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0430. Follow him on Twitter: @af_ferguson.