Alex Barcello wasn't any more hyped about top-ranked Corona del Sol's matchup with No. 8 Perry and its talented guard Markus Howard than he is any other night. As it turned out Monday night, Barcello's production seemed to counter that notion.

The shootout the two Division I squads engaged in was one to remember and a treat for any basketball fan. Corona del Sol never trailed, but was pushed hard at several intervals in scoring a 106-92 victory over Perry at Perry High.

Corona del Sol coach Sammy Duane Jr. played it safe just to be sure, reminding Barcello prior to the game this was Corona del Sol vs. Perry and not an individual matchup. Barcello had only one intention to what would turn out to be a career-high, 51-point night.

"The important thing was coming away with a W for our team," Barcello said.

For the game, Barcello was 19 of 25 from the field (76 percent). That included four threes, three of those in the first period. He was also 9 of 9 from the free-throw line.

Barcello and Howard, both sophomores, were fabulous. They have been since they stepped on the varsity floor last year as freshmen. Howard's previous game was a 50-point performance in a win over Highland last Friday.

In this one Barcello had a better start, tallying 17 points in the first quarter on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor. Howard missed his first four shots and finished 4 of 11 from the field for 10 points as Corona (23-1 overall, 16-0 power-ranking games) built a 27-20 lead after one. The margin at halftime was 50-42 Corona -- Barcello had 28 points at intermission and Howard 25. Corona held double-digit leads in every quarter, but had them shaved to manageable margins each period. Howard's offense kept Perry (19-5, 12-4) close in the half. He finished 17 of 40 from the floor for the game, including six threes and was 7 of 8 from the line.

In the third period with Corona threatening to blow the contest open at 63-48, Perry stormed back behind Howard with offensive help from teammates Kyle Van Haren (20 points) and Coby de Laveaga (14 points). Van Haren scored 13 points in the period, Howard 12 and de Laveaga six -- alll of the Pumas points in the period. The 63-48 deficit melted to 73-72 in the final minute of the period.

That's when Corona got the uncanny contribution it often gets from a player not a household name. This time its was two big baskets from senior Isiah Bolden, who was thrust into a starting role Monday with Cassius Peat nursing a shin injury. Bolden sank an off-balance three from the corner to bump the lead to four. Perry turned the ball over on its next trip up the floor and Bolden ended up finishing a teammates' steal for a layup. The lead was back to 79-73 as the third period ended. Bolden finished with nine points. Through the first 22 minutes, only Barcello, Bagley III and Kuiper had scored for Corona.

The Barcello-Howard duel showed Barcello with 38 points through three quarters and Howard with 37. Corona protected its lead better in the final period, despite losing freshman center Marvin Bagley III to his fifth foul with four minutes left. Bagley III exited with 21 points and nine rebounds and the Aztecs' other stalwart, senior Dane Kuiper, did a lot of dirty work inside for the evening. Kuiper finished with 19 points. Corona del Sol didn't hurt itself by sinking 23 of 24 free throws -- 96 percent.

"We knew going in we have lots of weapons," Duane Jr. said. "We got a lot out of them. We've had a knack of always getting runs, even when we give some up. We got a couple at the right time in this game."