The first week of ACCAC action is in the books, and three teams have began conference play with 2-0 records. Arizona Western, Mesa and Glendale Junior College have each won their openers.
Arizona Western had victories over Central Arizona JC and also Tohono O'odham to start conference play in the ACCAC. AWC defeated Central Arizona, 79-74, and also Tohono, 86-59. In the Central Arizona win, Arizona Western got 20 points each from freshman forward Jalen Townsell and Daniel Kiely, while the Vaqueros also had two with atleast 20 points, Shakiel Bertrand with 24 points and J.C. Canahuate with 20.
Townsell added 14 more points against the Jegos, who were paced by Tajik Bartholowew who had 15 points.
Mesa picked up a dramatic win over CAC as sophomore forward Jok Jok completed a (4)-point play with 6.1 seconds remaining, to give Mesa JC a 61-60 victory. Jok came off the bench to pace MCC with 17 points, while Canahuate led Central with 19. Mesa also scored an 87-77 win over Tohono O'odham. In that one, Cameron Burist led the way with 16 points and Jeremiah Maldonado, Jaylan Hewitt and Bartholowmew all scored 13 for the Jegos.
Glendale JC first-year head coach Ken Carrillo, brother of Cochise College Head Coach Jerry Carrillo, led Glendale JC to a strong start to the conference year with wins over Phoenix, 105-80, and Chandler-Gilbert, 78-62. The Gauchos shot .627 from the floor and converted (12 of 24) three-pointers on the road at Phoenix College. Terrell Handy Johnson led the way with 30 points, while Lamar Mitchell pumped in 31 for the Bears. The Gauchos picked up another road win against Chandler-Gilbert JC with Adam Hamilton leading with 23 points. Blake Williams paced the Coyotes with 23 points in the loss.
A holiday-shortened schedule will see ACCAC action only on Tuesday this week, with Phoenix College hosting a hot Mesa squad.
