Mountain Vista Outlasts Cherokee Trail in Double Overtime
By Matt Langley
BasketballColorado.com
3/8/2013
Denver, CO – The Mountain Vista Golden Eagles outlasted the Cherokee Trail Cougars in a double overtime thriller, 78-76. Even though the Eagles fell behind at the end of the 1st quarter 18-13, they turned the tables on the Cougars in the 2nd quarter. Vista scored 18 points in the 2nd quarter while holding the Cougars to 13, but they still trailed 31-28 at halftime.
In the second half each team traded baskets and the lead multiple times. Neither team held a lead more than 3 points in the second half. The Eagles shot 54% from the field with most of their shots coming from inside the paint. The Cougars attacked the basket as well shooting only 6 three-pointers in the second half. The Cougars scratched out a 3 point lead after a three-pointer from senior Solomon Yon and free throws by senior Jay Nelson with 4:12 remaining in regulation. But junior Jake Pemberton nailed a three-pointer with 3:50 left. Trail senior Drick Bernstine put the Cougars back up 3 points with an old fashion three-point play, but Vista answered with 6 straight points, 4 of those coming from senior Mitch Carter. Vista led 58-55 with 2:10 remaining, but Yon nailed another basket with 1:55 left to put the Cougars within one, 58-57. Eagle senior Elijah Valdez made one of two free throws with 47 seconds left for a 2 point lead, 59-57. Bernstine sent the game to it first over-time by making two free throws with 31 seconds left.
In the first over- time a controversial call on Valdez for a delay of game led to a technical foul, after the eagles had just taken the lead off a lay-up from Amir Qadri. The Cougars only made one of the two free throws, and on the ensuing inbounds play, senior Jay Nelson was able to score putting the Cougars up 64-63 with 2:17 left. Valdez and Nelson traded baskets leaving the Cougars up 68-67 with 42 second left. Valdez was fouled and again made one of two free throws with 33 seconds left tying the score 68-68. Neither team was able to get off a good look as time ran out.
In the second overtime, Bernstine scored all 8 points in the period for the Cougars. Bernstine’s last points came with 36 seconds left, making a shot in the paint as he was fouled. Even though he missed the free throw, the Cougars led 76-75. Vista brought the ball down, ran some time off the clock, and called a time out with 20 second left to play. Graham Smith scored, after slipping a screen, putting the Eagles up with 15 seconds left. The Cougars’ Tyler Larkin was whistled for traveling after making what would have been the go-ahead basket. On the inbounds play after the controversial call, the Cougars fouled Vista senior Damani Respass. Respass made one of two free throws. Bernstine was able to get the rebound and heave a ¾ court shot that just missed.
Bernstine finished his career with 31 points and 10 rebounds. Yon added 15 points, and Nelson scored 10 for the Cougars. Pemberton and Valdez each scored 19 points while Mitch Carter added 14.
Mountain Vista will face Eaglecrest at the Coors Events Center on Friday in the state semifinals.
