AURORA | Vista PEAK’s dynamic backcourt duo of Curtis Stovall III and Jaylen Carrizales came through again to help the Bison to a key EMAC home victory Thursday night.
The Bison faced a stiff challenge from visiting Hinkley as they hoped to maintain a share of first place in the league standing and needed big performances from the backcourt to outduel Taveon Long and the Thunderbirds.
Stovall III scored seven of his team-high 22 points in the final quarter and helped coach Keenon Clement’s team withstand Hinkley’s pressure in crunch time and Carrizales finished with 14 points before fouling out in Vista PEAK’s 64-56 victory.
Junior Elijah Carlson scored six of his eight points in the final period as well to help the Bison hold on and improve to 5-3 overall and 4-0 in the EMAC.
Long, a junior, poured in a season-high 27 points to help coach Wondame Davis’ Thunderbirds hang around until the very end.
Hinkley — which finished just 13-for-25 from the free throw line — is now 1-7 overall and 1-3 in league play.
Vista PEAK turns around for a big road game at Gateway (which is 6-1 overall and 3-0 in EMAC play) on Tuesday, the same day Hinkley has a home game against Brighton (2-6, 2-1).
Courtney Oakes is Sentinel Colorado Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@sentinelcolorado.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
VISTA PEAK 64, HINKLEY 56
Score by quarters:
Hinkley 10 17 9 21 — 56
Vista PEAK 17 11 15 21 — 64
HINKLEY (56)
Kevaughn Johnson 2 1-4 5, Wondame Davis Jr. 1 0-1 2, Taveon Long 10 5-8 27, Johnny Rogers 4 2-4 11, Malietoa Fifita 1 1-2 4, Xander Smith 1 4-6 7. Totals 19 13-25 56.
VISTA PEAK (64)
Jaylen Carrizales 5 3-4 14, Ajaree Monroe 2 1-2 5, Curtis Stovall III 9 2-3 22, Terrence Packer 3 2-3 9, Timi Ola 3 0-0 6, Elijah Carlson 2 4-4 8, A’jhzan Williams 0 0-0 0. Totals 22 8-12 64.
3-point field goals — Hinkley (4): Taveon Long 2, Malietoa Fifita, Johnny Rogers; Vista PEAK (4): Curtis Stovall III 2, Jaylen Carrizales, Terrance Packer. Total fouls — Hinkley 16, Vista PEAK 18. Fouled out — Hinkley: Kevaughn Johnson; Vista PEAK: Carrizales. Technical fouls — None.