photos by Charlie McDonald (charlie.mcdonald@surewestsports.com)
by Mike Finnerty (mike.finnerty@surewestsports.com)
The Capital Valley League title should once again come down to a two-team race between SureWest Sports' No. 9 Bella Vista Broncos (16-3) and No. 10 Del Campo Cougars (15-4).
Wednesday night these two teams squared off in the first of two league meetings this season. In front of a loud a spirited crowd, Bella Vista rode a late first quarter lead all the way to the end to beat Del Campo, 64-57, highlighted by a 21-point night by Broncos guard Ahmad Smith.
The win gives Bella Vista the early upper hand in league play improving to 2-0, with Del Campo dropping to 1-1.
"I told our kids after the game that I thought this was the best we've come out all year," said Bella Vista head coach Dave Gonzalez. "I think they understood the importance. As coaches we really stress that when you play on the road that you are down 8-10 points even before the game starts."
Once the Broncos grabbed a 6-4 advantage with 2:55 left in the opening quarter, they never relinquished the lead, but Del Campo fought back throughout.
Bella Vista grabbed its biggest lead of the first half at 32-20 with under a minute left, and they would head to the break up 34-25.
The third quarter was up and down as Bella Vista seeing big leads vanish twice. Del Campo cut it to 34-31, and then Bella Vista pushed the lead to 43-33. With 1:25 to play in the third, Del Campo chipped away once again getting to within two at 43-41.
"I thought from the beginning our kids established themselves," said Gonzalez. "Every time they'd make a run, we'd answer and get to 10 or 12 with what I thought was just a great team effort. Our bench was huge. We had some kids come off the bench and just play real well for us tonight. Ahmad Smith got us going and it was kind of by committee after that."
There were big fourth quarter performances turned in by several Broncos players, including KJ Logue who scored six of his eight points in the final frame. Tyler Berkness had five of his 15 points in the fourth, and with Del Campo down 61-57 with 1:30 left, Austin Hennen (11 points) and Cristian Salhani came up big at the free thrown line hitting 3 for 4 in the final 30 seconds to hold off one last Del Campo run.
"I thought tonight we were really poised, our guards did a good job of controlling pace, and like I said, it was just a great team effort. Everybody that played was a contributor tonight."