Phoenix use big third quarter to secure home victory
Sonoraville outscores Mountaineers 20-2 in 3rd, stays unbeaten in early season
Friday’s Sonoraville-North Murray game appeared to be pretty evenly-matched in the first half as each team had their positive moments before eventually going into the locker room tied 22-22.
But the Phoenix came out of the half and took complete control of the game, starting the third quarter on an 18-0 run and eventually outscoring the Mountaineers 20-2 in the period to pull away and never look back in a 64-46 Region 6-AAA crossover victory at home.
The win keeps Sonoraville (3-0) unbeaten early in the season, and head coach Brent Mashburn said the way his team made the necessary adjustments coming out of the locker room in the third quarter had a lot to do with their success.
“I think we were finally patient offensively,” said Mashburn. “They threw a little bit of a junk defense at us in the first half, and we forced some things. We had some guys taking quick shots, and that’s what we talked about at half time...being a little more patient, moving the basketball. And we were able to do that and get some buckets. The big thing for us was to get the tempo up, and once we started scoring a little bit, we could press and create turnovers. We got the game going up and down a bit, and that was a good thing for us.
“I challenged them at the half, and the first possession of the third quarter, I had Brad (Wilson) and Wil (Walraven) first ones on the floor diving for a loose ball. I knew at that point at least the message had been received, and hopefully it was going to be a little different story in the second half. I mean 20-2...that’s coming out and taking care of business.”
Wilson had a couple big 3-pointers in the run to open the second half, and Bryce Waters also scored some key buckets.
Sonoraville closed the game out with a strong fourth quarter offensively as well as they scored 22 points, 13 of those coming from Walraven. The junior led the Phoenix in scoring on the night with 21. Wilson scored 19 as well, hitting five 3’s total, and Waters was also in double figures with 14.
Mashburn said those three are going to be a big part of what his team can potentially do this season, and they’ve started the schedule leading by example.
“They are good players,” said Mashburn. “I’m a much better coach and we’re a much better team with those guys out on the floor. Brad knocked down shots, which is what he does. Bryce is a really good player especially in and around the basket. He can do some other things with it, and he had some stretches where he was really good tonight. And Wil is a tough matchup for anybody, any night. (North Murray) did a good job of making life of tough on him tonight, but I think we have good enough players around him that eventually it’s going to free him up and he’s going to do what he does.”
Brody Frazier was the only player for North Murray (2-3) in double figures with 11. Trey Jackson added eight.
Sonoravile trailed 9-8 after one quarter on Friday, but then took a 22-13 lead midway through the second quarter with a run. North Murray responded by scoring the last nine points of the quarter to even things up at the half.
The victory continues the strong start for Sonoraville, who has already defeated East Paulding and North Paulding in their opening stretch of games. Mashburn said he is pleased with what he’s seen so far and is encouraged by what they can possibly accomplish this season.
“I think we’re hungry,” said Mashburn. “We’ve got some veteran kids, some experienced kids. We’ve got a group that I think enjoys competing, and they’re hungry to get out there and play. I think we’ve got a pretty good team too. I like our pieces, I like the effort we give, I like how we share the ball and I’m excited.”
Sonoraville was back at home on Tuesday to host Murray County. ( For details on that game, see Saturday’s Calhoun Times.) They visit LFO on Friday at 8:30 p.m.
In the Sonoraville-North Murray girls game from earlier on Friday:
North Murray girls 51, Sonoraville 38
Sonoraville kept things close, trailing by just five at one point early in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Mountaineers made too many plays down the stretch to give the home team a region crossover loss on Friday.
Sonoraville (0-3) trailed 26-22 at the half and 37-29 at the end of the third quarter, but North Murray (3-2) outscored them 14-9 in the fourth to put the game away.
Emma Garland was the lone Lady Phoenix scorer in double figures with 11. Maliyah Parks added nine. Sonoraville was hosted Murray County Tuesday. (For details on that game, see Saturday’s Calhoun Times.) They head on the road to visit LFO on Friday at 7 p.m.