The Thunder showed no signs of losing their last two games after defeating host Mountain Pointe 92-68 Tuesday night. 

“Intensity,” said Desert Vista’s head coach Gino Crump about what he liked from his team. “They came out ready to play. We have been notoriously starting slow, and they came out really hot.” 

The Mountain Pointe Pride (11-9 overall, 2-3 region) wanted to avenge a 62-59 setback to its crosstown rival in December, but the Thunder (13-4 overall, 4-1 region) had other plans.

In the first portion of the game, the Pride showed lots of life, especially Rahie Hodge, who had four points, two assists and three rebounds in the first quarter. Hodge also had a layup at the buzzer to end the first quarter, keeping his team within four points of the very powerful Thunder. 

Heading into the second quarter, the Pride looked to keep the momentum, and senior small forward Logan Matulis did just that. Matulis saw a lane and took his chance, slamming down the first dunk of the game while being smothered by multiple Thunder defenders.

That swept the Mountain Pointe crowd into a frenzy, and the Pride’s head coach, Hosea Graham, called a timeout to pump up his players even more. 

Later in the second quarter, the Pride grabbed their first lead of the game, but it didn’t last long. That’s because senior guard Noah Baumann shut down Matulis’ attempt at a dunk party with a huge block, helping Desert Vista regain possession and the lead.  

“When the opposing team makes a good play you got to respond with another big play,” Baumann said. “It was just good to get all the momentum back.”

But that’s not all Baumann had in store in the second quarter.

Baumann also hit four three pointers, recording 12 of his 17 points. 

Going into the half, the Thunder held a 42-29 lead over the Pride and had no intentions of giving up the lead.

Another Thunder player, junior forward, Wesley Harris, stepped up to keep the momentum on his team’s side in the third quarter.  

Harris scored 19 points, showcasing his dunk skills along the way. The third quarter was all Harris and the Thunder, as they pushed the lead to 20 points. 

But the Pride didn’t give in. Mountain Pointe junior small forward Selah Thomas knocked down a buzzer beater three, giving his team some life heading into the fourth quarter while trailing 65-44. 

Opening the fourth quarter, Harris took exception to the Pride’s efforts to come back, so he slammed home another dunk, silencing the Mountain Pointe crowd.

“It felt good, man. I love trying to take the rim down. It’s a good feeling,” Harris said. 

Desert Vista didn't take their foot off the gas the rest of the way and loaded the bus happy after a huge region win over its rival, the first win for the Thunder in two weeks.  

Coach Crump said there is one motto for the rest of the way: Win them all. 

Delia is a sports journalism student at Arizona State.