Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Canyon Springs routs Palo Verde, 102-52

Michael Thompson (11) of Canyon Springs High School lays up the ball over Liberty High School's Zach Earnest (11) during a game at Canyon Springs in North Las Vegas Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Canyon Springs won the game 101-58.

Michael Thompson (11) of Canyon Springs High School lays up the ball over Liberty High School's Zach Earnest (11) during a game at Canyon Springs in North Las Vegas Tuesday, December 7, 2010. Canyon Springs won the game 101-58.

Prep Sports Now

Transitioning from football to basketball

Las Vegas Sun reporters Ray Brewer and Case Keefer wrap up the football season by discussing Bishop Gorman's second straight state championship and introduce the basketball season. They also discuss who to look out for next football season and debate the merits of sweatpants.

The Canyon Springs boys basketball team improved to 3-0 on the season with a 102-52 victory over Palo Verde on Thursday.

The Pioneers were led on offense by shooting guard Michael Thompson, who had a team-high 17 points.

Thompson, who is committed to play at Boise State next fall, was one of five Pioneers who scored in double-figures. Marquan Webster had 15 points, Jamaal Martin had 14, Chris Willis had 13 and Trey Evans scored 10.

Canyon Springs came out of the gate quickly. Thompson converted a 3-point play to give the Pioneers a 10-0 lead less than two minutes into the game.

“It really set the tempo,” Thompson said. “We were being aggressive and not letting anybody score. We picked up the pace and stayed consistent.”

The Panthers answered back with an 8-2 run to pull within four points at 12-8, but the rest of the evening belonged to the Pioneers.

The Pioneers closed the first quarter on a 12-3 run capped by a Thompson driving layup and a Willis breakaway layup to take a 24-11 lead.

Canyon Springs continued its scoring flurry in the second quarter as the Pioneers started the quarter on a 10-3 run and closed it with a 12-1 run to take a 46-17 halftime lead.

“The defensive intensity and effort on the boards was key for us,” said Canyon Springs coach Daryl Branham. “That’s what we preach to our team, and this year we have 13 guys who are buying into that.”

Canyon Springs continued its scoring onslaught in the third quarter as the Pioneers scored 30 points to take a 76-34 lead into the final quarter.

The Pioneers eclipsed the 100-point mark for the second time in three games. Last year’s state runner-up is averaging 98 points per game on the young season.

Webster played a pivotal role in the Pioneers’ victory. He had seven points in the first half and added another eight in the second half as he directed Canyon Springs’ offense.

“Marquan’s been shooting the ball very, very well,” Branham said. “He’s a football player, so he didn’t shoot the ball a whole lot in the fall. But he’s come in and shot the ball well and knocked down a lot of shots.”

Canyon Springs’ defense caused fits for the Panthers offense as the Pioneers forced several turnovers that led to easy transition buckets.

Branham said his team does not focus so much on how many points it scores but on how many points it allows.

“We don’t say how many points we’re going to put up,” Branham said. “The only thing we put up on the board is what we don’t want to allow defensively.”

Canyon Springs puts its unbeaten record on the line Friday evening as it hosts Cherry Creek High from Colorado.

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