- Sunnyside avenged last week's double-digit lose to Tucson High with a 55-34 drubbing over its South-side rival in a crucial regional game. The Blue Devils trailed 22-18 at halftime, but outscored the Badgers 37-12 in the second half. Sunnyside limited Tucson High to 3-of-12 shooting in the third quarter and held the Badgers to just three points in the final frame. Tucson High junior guard DeShaun Bowens hit a three-pointer with four seconds left in the game to record the team's first points in the quarter, meaning Tucson High went scoreless for 7:56. Coming into the game, Sunnyside was ranked No. 15 in 6A and Tucson High was No. 26.
- Sunnyside (14-10) started the game with senior point guard Mikey Silva on the bench due to a coach's decision. Coach Jimmy Rosthenhausler said he would try to sit him for the entire first half and maybe for three quarters, but said if they needed him, he'd be subbed in at the beginning of the second quarter. Rosthenhausler said after the game he believed in the best interest of his team, Silva would be better served coming off the bench. He cited team chemistry as an issue.
- Tucson High was without senior point guard Jordan Robinson as he received two technicals the night before and was ejected, resulting in a one-game suspension.
- Senior big man Santino Duarte finished with a team-high 12 points and nine rebounds, though he wasn't very efficient. Duarte shot 6-of-16, with most of the attempts coming on tip-ins and put-backs. After the game, Duarte said he needs to focus on finishing better, but was noticeably limping as well. He clearly isn't 100 percent yet coming back off the ACL injury, and needs to play himself back into basketball shape. I'm not sure he'll be able to do that with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.
- Junior forward Nikc Jackson scored 10 points and pulled down 16 rebounds for his his 15th double-double on the season. Jackson continues to produce and pile up numbers on limited shots as he's often double-teamed in the paint. Nearly all of the teams in the Mountain West Conference have either offered him a scholarship, or stopped by Sunnyside High School to watch him play or practice.
- Senior stretch-four Dwayne Eason chipped in with eight points, as did Silva coming off the bench. Senior guard Tavo Orantez added nine points, making for a well-balanced approach for the Blue Devils.
- Tucson High (10-14) looked good in the first half, as coach Daren Cross used some of the best rotations I've seen him use this game. I will say, without Robinson, the offense moved the ball more. The problem is, Robinson is also the squad's leading scorer. In the second half, Cross went away from those lineups and rotations and tried something different. It didn't help, it resulted in the team shooting 4-of-27 in the second half against Sunnyside's 2-3 zone. There's not much chemistry on the court for the Badgers, I'm not sure what will salvage their season as parents and players have been complaining to the Athletic Director and Vice Principal. My sources have told me there are several meetings (At least three) lined up next week at Tucson High with parents and administrators to figure out how they can move forward.
- Earlier in the game, senior forward Luka Gelb received a scholarship offer from Riverland CC located in Austin, Minnesota.
- Tucson High junior forward Eddie Cordova may be the team's best catch-and-shoot three-point shooter on the team. He showed range and good form on his shot. He finished 3-of-5 from downtown for a team-high nine points.
- Sunnyside (14-10) started the game with senior point guard Mikey Silva on the bench due to a coach's decision. Coach Jimmy Rosthenhausler said he would try to sit him for the entire first half and maybe for three quarters, but said if they needed him, he'd be subbed in at the beginning of the second quarter. Rosthenhausler said after the game he believed in the best interest of his team, Silva would be better served coming off the bench. He cited team chemistry as an issue.
- Tucson High was without senior point guard Jordan Robinson as he received two technicals the night before and was ejected, resulting in a one-game suspension.
- Senior big man Santino Duarte finished with a team-high 12 points and nine rebounds, though he wasn't very efficient. Duarte shot 6-of-16, with most of the attempts coming on tip-ins and put-backs. After the game, Duarte said he needs to focus on finishing better, but was noticeably limping as well. He clearly isn't 100 percent yet coming back off the ACL injury, and needs to play himself back into basketball shape. I'm not sure he'll be able to do that with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.
- Junior forward Nikc Jackson scored 10 points and pulled down 16 rebounds for his his 15th double-double on the season. Jackson continues to produce and pile up numbers on limited shots as he's often double-teamed in the paint. Nearly all of the teams in the Mountain West Conference have either offered him a scholarship, or stopped by Sunnyside High School to watch him play or practice.
- Senior stretch-four Dwayne Eason chipped in with eight points, as did Silva coming off the bench. Senior guard Tavo Orantez added nine points, making for a well-balanced approach for the Blue Devils.
- Tucson High (10-14) looked good in the first half, as coach Daren Cross used some of the best rotations I've seen him use this game. I will say, without Robinson, the offense moved the ball more. The problem is, Robinson is also the squad's leading scorer. In the second half, Cross went away from those lineups and rotations and tried something different. It didn't help, it resulted in the team shooting 4-of-27 in the second half against Sunnyside's 2-3 zone. There's not much chemistry on the court for the Badgers, I'm not sure what will salvage their season as parents and players have been complaining to the Athletic Director and Vice Principal. My sources have told me there are several meetings (At least three) lined up next week at Tucson High with parents and administrators to figure out how they can move forward.
- Earlier in the game, senior forward Luka Gelb received a scholarship offer from Riverland CC located in Austin, Minnesota.
- Tucson High junior forward Eddie Cordova may be the team's best catch-and-shoot three-point shooter on the team. He showed range and good form on his shot. He finished 3-of-5 from downtown for a team-high nine points.
