Jackets withstand Sonoraville runs to earn rivalry win
Calhoun finishes perfect in region; Lady Jackets clinch top spot in South
Calhoun saw rival Sonoraville battle multiple times to get back in the game on Friday, but it was the Jackets who made enough plays at crucial times to finish off the Region 6-AAA slate with a road victory.
The Jackets (18-4, 13-0) built double-digit leads in the first and second half, but Sonoraville continued to answer to get back in the game before Calhoun outlasted them for a 75-67 win and complete an undefeated region record.
“We’re a resilient team,” said Calhoun coach Vince Layson. “We’ve stressed to our guys that basketball is a game of runs, and the way that Sonoraville can shoot it, they’re never out of a game. But our guys responded well to their runs got some big buckets when we needed them.”
Calhoun opened the game by building a 17-5 lead in the first quarter before leading 17-10 at the end of the period. After once again pushing the lead out to 24-15 early in the second, Sonoraville (19-6, 10-3) battled back again and tied the game at 25-25 late in the half before Calhoun took a 31-27 lead into the locker room.
Calhoun’s best quarter came in the third when they outscored the host Phoenix 25-17 to build a 56-44 lead going to the final quarter. But even after allowing a 3-pointer to open the period and fall behind by 15, Sonoraville kept fighting until the end, cutting the deficit to five at one point at 71-66 before the Jackets iced the game with a couple free throws and a lay-up.
Porter Law was big in the fourth quarter for the Jackets with eight of his season-high 15 points, including going 6-of9 from the free throw line. The pass-first point guard also had 10 rebounds for the double-double.
Malik Lawrence had a huge night for Calhoun with 28 points, using his speed to get several baskets in transition and also showing his shooting prowess with four 3-pointers.
“This was a really good game for Porter,” said Layson. “He’s our leader and our point guard, and I could tell he was getting a little irritated when they weren’t guarding him as much outside and wanting him to shoot it. He’s a pass first and pass second point guard so it’s good to see him put some points on the board.
“And I’ve been telling Malik that there’s not a lot of people that can guard him when he gets going. He can get by people, and when they back off, he hits perimeter shots. He played his butt off tonight. This is one of his best games this season.”
Davis Allen was the third Calhoun scorer in double figures with 12, and Ryan Randall added eight.
Wil Walraven was a big part of keeping Sonoraville in the game with his team-high 18 points. Brad Wilson and Bryce Waters each scored 114, and Tavian Reynolds added eight. Wilson, Waters and Reynolds had two 3-pointers apiece in the fourth quarter as the Phoenix made their final charge.
Sonoraville coach Brent Mashburn said he was happy with the way his team fought back, but they can’t give a good team like Calhoun a double-digit lead and expect to overcome it every time.
“I think your always pleased as a coach when your team continues to fight,” said Mashburn. “We didn’t play well early and didn’t get anything to go down. They’re too good to spot 10-15 points. But I was proud of the way we stepped up and battled.
“I love these guys. I’d go to battle with them any night. I’m looking forward (to the region tournament) next week. We’ve had a good season, and I think these guys should be excited and ready. Hopefully, we’re going to play some of our better basketball.”
The Phoenix opened play in the Region 6-AAA Tournament on Tuesday at Calhoun against LFO. ( For details on that game, see Saturday’s Calhoun Times.)
Calhoun receives a double-bye into the semifinals and an automatic State Tournament berth for finishing as the top team in the subregion. They will play their first game at the region tourney on Friday at 5:30 p.m.