Sunrise Boys: Senior Cameron Burist carries Liberty past Las Vegas
Liberty guard Cameron Burist didn’t want his senior season to end Tuesday night.
He scored 32 points to ensure he’ll play at least one more high school basketball game.
Burist eviscerated Las Vegas High School’s defense, and sparked the Patriots to an 82-70 home victory over the Wildcats in their Sunrise Region quarterfinal matchup.
Liberty (18-9) will play Canyon Springs on Thursday night for a trip to the region championship game.
Las Vegas concludes its season with a 17-10 record.
“I didn’t want to lose,” Burist said. “I knew that I had to do something. We won, so it’s all good.”
Burist did more than something — he carried his team for long stretches while sophomore star Julian Strawther sat with foul trouble.
But Liberty couldn’t shake Las Vegas, which scrapped its way to a 41-all halftime score despite three fouls and minimal production from senior standout Donovan Joyner, who hyperextended his knee at practice on Friday.
The Patriots switched to a 2-2-1 trapping defense in the second half, though, and flustered Las Vegas’ complementary players after Joyner committed his fourth foul early in the third quarter.
“We got easy buckets in transition,” Berg said. “The kids got fired up and played with some energy.”
Especially junior forward Terrance Marigney, who stepped in for Strawther early in the fourth quarter and scored 12 points before fouling out.
“I can’t really predict who is going to step up,” Berg said. “The kids, they do it and they let the game find them. And they just started to make plays.”
Strawther scored 15 points and Marigney finished with 14 points. Jaylin Headen led Las Vegas with 16 points and Kiaeem Johnson-Gonzaque scored 15.
Joyner, who averaged 24.6 points per game during the regular season, finished with seven points.
Foothill 75, Rancho 65 — At Foothill, Jace Roquemore and Mike Shaw each scored 17 points as the Falcons downed the Rams.
Dylan Hushaw added 16 points for Foothill (20-8), which made 25 of 30 free throws.
James Brown had 23 points to lead Rancho (9-20).
Foothill will play Coronado (16-11) in the semifinals on Thursday.
Coronado 66, Eldorado 58 — At Eldorado, Jaden Hardy poured in 28 points, lifting the Cougars over the Sundevils.
Tahj Comeaux added 14 points, and Patrick Simms scored 11 for Coronado, which led 37-30 at halftime.
Kemo Bell scored 22 points and teammate Jordan Carter added 10 for Eldorado (15-8).
Canyon Springs 95, Silverado 79 — At Canyon Springs, Kevin Legardy poured in 36 points as the Pioneers topped the Skyhawks.
Alexander Spaight added 22 points, and De’Shawn Keperling scored 17 for Canyon Springs (22-2).
Martell Williams had 24 points and Caden Farley 23 for Silverado, which trailed 49-35 at the half.
Trevon Martin had 12 points, and teammate Daryl Finley scored 11 for the Skyhawks (14-14).