Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Thunder keep making noise on basketball floor

January 7, 2011 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


By Don Ketchum
What better way to prepare for the region season than for a basketball team to play a tough non-region opponent on the road?
Phoenix Desert Vista passed its final test with flying colors before Class 5A Fiesta Region play with a 76-56 victory at Phoenix St. Mary’s on Friday night (Jan. 7).
The Thunder (14-3) pulled away by outscoring the Knights 32-18 in the fourth quarter.
Forward Danny Powell scored 10 of his game-high 23 points in the final period to lead the way. He had been the MVP of a recent tournament in Las Vegas that Desert Vista won. Guard Jeff Lowery scored 11.
“Playing games in here . . . St. Mary’s is usually tough at home,’’ said Desert Vista first-year coach Dave Williams, whose team won its sixth straight game. “This is a good way to get ready for the region, with (Chandler) Hamilton coming in to play us next week.’’
Williams said the Las Vegas tournament was tough, but his players did a good job of bonding together.
It helps when a team has a player such as Powell, a 6-foot-5 junior who would appear to have the athleticism to make a good tight end on the football team. He only scored six points in the first half, with the teams tied at 26.
“He is a hungry player, but sometimes he needs to be patient and the game will come to him. That’s what happened tonight,’’ Williams said.
St. Mary’s (7-7), which lost its fifth straight, led by three at the end of the first quarter, but missed the front end of three straight one-and-one free-throw situations within the first 1:47 of the second quarter.
It was not a good omen. The Knights continued to struggle at the foul line, and their shot selection from the floor left a bit to be desired. Some of the shots were of Jerryd Bayless length, but the biggest difference would be that the former St. Mary’s star made his and these were way off the mark.
Desert Vista’s defense also had something to do with it. Williams has been preaching that good defense sets up the offense, and so far, his words have rung true.
Senior guard Bryan Rhymes scored 20 points to lead the Knights and forward Chris Mason added 12.