SIERRA VISTA INVITE: Jacobs, Sierra Vista slip past Coronado

Given a second chance, Coronado might have changed its defensive plan on Wednesday.

Jacobs, usually no more than the third scoring option for the Mountain Lions, poured in 20 points as Sierra Vista edged the Cougars 64-59 in overtime in the championship game of the Sierra Vista Invitational.

On a team with 20-plus points-per-game scorers Viko Noma’aea and Maiscei Grier, there aren’t always enough shots to go around for Jacobs to put up big scoring numbers.

But with the Cougars (9-3) limiting Noma’aea and Grier to a combined 22 points, Jacobs came to the forefront to power the Mountain Lions (9-1).

“I’ve been trying to convince people that we’re not a two-man team,” Sierra Vista coach Kent Johnson said. “We have lots of guys who contribute. Gary just played super smart basketball today.”

A 6-foot-2-inch senior guard, Jacobs scored 10 points in the second half as Grier and Noma’aea were held to a total of one field goal.

Jacobs often wiggled loose in the paint and converted easy baskets against Coronado’s post players as the Cougars challenged Grier and Noma’aea, not letting either get an easy look.

Still, the Mountain Lions had to bounce back after Coronado’s Austin Nelson hit a game-tying 3-pointer from the right wing with three seconds left in regulation.

Jacobs and Noma’aea each scored four points in the overtime, and the Mountain Lions closed the game with Xavier Rogers and Noma’aea each making two free throws in the final 33 seconds.

Grier finished with 13 points.

Michael Louder led Coronado with 22 points, and Drew Badillo scored 10.

Both teams played their sixth game in three days in the tournament.

“We need lots of games,” Johnson said. “Our goal was just to get to the championship so we’d get six games. But it’s always nice to win your own tournament. We wanted to build a little bit of momentum for league play.”

Coronado 63, Spring Valley 58 — Nelson scored four of his 25 points in overtime and drained five 3-pointers to propel the Cougars past the Grizzlies.

Louder added four overtime points and eight total points for Coronado, which saw a seven-point fourth-quarter lead evaporate.

Sean Clancey led Spring Valley with 17 points. Gary Payton scored 15 points, Tyler Jones had 12 points, and Deshaun Nowlin added 10 points for Spring Valley.

Sierra Vista 70, Cimarron-Memorial 68 — Noma’aea scored all 10 points during the Mountain Lions’ 10-2 run to open the second half, and Sierra Vista held on to nip the Spartans.

Sierra Vista led 63-56 with less than three minutes remaining, but Cimarron battled to pull within two twice. Noma’aea hit two free throws to give the Mountain Lions a 70-66 lead and Cimarron hit a late shot.

Noma’aea finished with 24 points, and Grier added 23 points for Sierra Vista.

Rialto (Calif.) 79, Palo Verde 47 — Rialto used a 22-3 run in an eight-minute span of the second and third quarters to pull away from the Panthers in the championship game.

Rialto led 20-6 in the first quarter before Palo Verde rallied to within 32-29 on a pair of transition baskets late in the second quarter.

But the Knights responded with the outcome-deciding run and never let up.

Summer Webb scored 16 of her 25 points in the second half for the Knights.

Alyssa Amoruso paced Palo Verde with 15 points.

Palo Verde 61, Page 54 — Meiko Taylor forced overtime on a jumper with 13 seconds remaining, and the Panthers used an 11-2 spurt to finish the extra period and oust the Sand Devils.

Jasmin Kiley scored five points in overtime and finished with 20 to lead the Panthers, who also tallied the final six points of regulation. Lily Tapusoa added 12 points, including four points in overtime.

Malarie Williams paced Page with 17 points.

Rialto (Calif.) 80, Sierra Vista 44 — Rialto outscored the Mountain Lions 45-21 in the second half to salt away the win.

Jeanette Jackson led Sierra Vista with 18 points, and Jasmine Suarez scored 11 for the Mountain Lions.