Mater East Locks Up No. 3 Seed With Win Over Sunrise Mountain

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For whatever reason, the NIAA had Mater East Academy listed second in the standings when I checked. However, because Rancho defeated Mater East last week, Rancho technically held the tiebreaker and secured the No. 2 seed with its win over Valley. That left Mater East facing possible elimination from playoff contention, while Sunrise Mountain also needed a win to keep their season alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights came out fast and played sound defense, jumping out to a 14–4 lead after the first quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater East kept it rolling in the second and extended the lead to 29–14 by halftime. The Knights continued their offensive production in the third quarter and carried a 51–30 advantage into the final period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sunrise Mountain began to play with more urgency in the fourth and slowly chipped away at the deficit. However, the rally fell short as time ran out before they could complete the comeback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final score was Mater East Academy 70, Sunrise Mountain 56.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater East Academy will face Durango on Monday at 6:30 p.m. for their first playoff game. The game will be played at Durango.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Sunrise Mountain's season is over. They finished with a 15-11 record.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2624906"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984c3d59cdbf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2624906' first='Damari' last='Sawall'] was very active on both ends of the court for the Knights last night. On offense, he was scoring from just about everywhere and had some really great takes to the rack in the second half. Which helped put the game out of reach. On defense, he utilized his instincts and timing to swat 3 shots. And he also collected at least one steal. Overall, his efforts paid dividends and the freshman guard will now be put to test against Durango. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 19 Points, 3 Blocks, 2 Assists, 1 Steal </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2637192"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984c3d59ce3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2637192' first='Markus' last='Burton'] put together a strong performance against Sunrise Mountain. He got going early with a transition basket and a three-pointer, then continued to apply pressure by getting downhill and drawing contact. Beyond his scoring, Burton was active on the defensive end and made life difficult for opposing ball handlers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 14 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2819169"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984c3d59cd1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2819169' first='Keyone' last='Wilkerson'] was assertive when he saw windows of opportunity against Sunrise Mountain. His burst and shiftiness allowed him to skirt around defenders, leading to several strong takes to the rim. Those drives also earned him trips to the free throw line, where he converted six attempts. On the defensive end, Wilkerson pestered opponents with his lateral quickness and did a good job of keeping his man in front of him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 12 Points, 2 Assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2221829"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984c3d59ceb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2221829' first='Kwes' last='Young'] was effective on the offensive end due to his slashing ability. He makes twitchy deceptive movements that can be hard for defender to keep up with. And he was able to capitalize on more than a few clean looks over the course of the game. Defensively, Young recorded a block and he also hunted down rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 13 Points, 1 Block </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2918902"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984c3d59cf24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2918902' first='Alyo' last='Hawkins Jr.'] didn't see many scoring opportunities early for the Miners, but he came alive in the fourth quarter and scored all 16 of his points. He converted tough finishes, got to the free throw line, and knocked down a three-pointer during the late surge. Unfortunately, the deficit the Knights had already built proved too large to overcome.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2919441"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984c3d59cf9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2919441' first='Amari' last='Carroll'] poured in a pair of three-pointers in the first half and began to heat up again in the fourth quarter. He let it fly late, draining three more triples for Sunrise Mountain. Although their season came to an end, Carroll closed it out with an impressive shooting display from beyond the arc.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 15 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2870797"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6984d621b3b31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2870797' first='Curtis' last='Sweat'] attacked the basket aggressively and converted multiple finishes at the rim. His athleticism stood out as he delivered when openings were there. Defensively, he remained active and applied steady pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 11 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->