Sunnyslope High School (2-0) improved to 2-0 on the high school on Tuesday evening with a 52-37 win over a surging but young Rancho Solano High School (1-1) team in this year's Hoopsgiving Basketball Tournament.
I was on hand on the evening to watch a Sunnyslope team that competed for a state title last season, and will have the same opportunity again this year, as they return a loaded lineup. Led by the play of 6-foot-3 junior wing Kyle Fischer, this year's team will have another opportunity to win it all, once again. The team returns a load of talent this season, and will be one of the top teams once again in the state.
Led by head coach Ray Portela once again, this team is very talented and gifted. Portela and his staff run a very tight ship also, so the discipline gained from Portela will aid this team nicely this high school season in their qwest.
On Tuesday evening, Sunnyslope would face a Rancho Solano High School team that would be looking to get the big upset on the evening. Unfortunately for Rancho Solano, they would be a mere match for the Vikings, who had a much more balanced lineup, led by a dominated junior group.
In the first quarter, Sunnyslope would jump out to a 15-7 lead quickly behind a very balanced attack. After a layup from 6-foot-3 junior wing Kyle Fischer, Sunnyslope would take 17 to 7 lead. Then a layup inside by 6-foot-5 junior post Chris Orozco, and Sunnyslope would jump out to a 21-11 advantage. After a full-court layup in transition, and Sunnyslope would take a 27-13 lead.
After a late three-pointer by Rancho Solano 6-foot-4 freshman wing Kimani Holt, and Rancho would only go into the half down 27 to 16.
In the third period, Sunnyslope would get it going in a big way and would take a 35-18 lead with 4 minutes left to play in the third period. By the end of the third period, Sunnyslope would hold on to a 39 to 24 lead.
In the fourth period, Rancho Solano would make it interesting after a three-pointer by Holt, which, would keep Rancho close in the contest. With still 7:20 left to play in the game, Slope would hold on to a 39-27 lead. After a three-point play by Brooks, Rancho would pull to within 11 points, 48 to 37.
But Slope would hold to pull out the victory 52 to 37, behind a well balanced attack. Slope will now advance to the tournament's semi-final matchup in the event on Wednesday.
