After receiving its first loss of the season to Findlay Prep, the Desert Vista Thunder strong-armed their way back to the top against the Red Mountain Mountain Lions to establish 

domination in a big win. 

Playing with an identical record of 5-1,the Thunder were short one of the top scorers in Tyrek Chambers, but were still able to outplay the Mountain Lions.

“We played a great team with two really good offensive players that did a great job,” said Coach Gino Crump. “We had a game plan on trying to stop them and slow those two down. It was a great team effort. Defense was incredible.”

DV came out of the gates strong straight from the tip-off with two jumpshots from Alijah Gammage, two steals and an easy layup from Wesley Harris in just the first minute of the game. The Mountain Lions attempted to answer with a 3 pointer to stop the Thunder’s offense, but it just wasn’t enough with Alijah Gammage hitting another shot, with Wesley Harris converting an and-1 layup and Isaiah Wilson scoring a layup and a fastbreak dunk. The Mountain Lions continued to try to compete with the Thunder but they just could not withstand DV’s defense or offense. The Thunder were even locked in from deep hitting their first two 3 pointers of the game from Harris, and Aishwar Kumar, this put the score to 21-5. The Thunder continued to play great defense and knock down their shots with Jaden Rollin scoring a contested three to bring the game to 26-9 to end the quarter. The Thunder continued playing tough and aggressive to makeup for their first loss of the season in the previous game and came out with 6 steals and causing a charging foul.

The Lions scored a 3 pointer and a layup to start the quarter until Isaiah Wilson knocked down a fading mid range shot to put the first points on the board for DV. Red Mountain was consistent on offense going on a 10-2 run to put the score at 28-19. The Thunder stayed more aggressive on on both ends going on a 10-2 run of their own, putting the score at 38-20. The Thunder came away with 8 steals and just 1 turnovers in the first half. Harris finished the half scoring 14 points in the result 40-24 with DV in the lead. It was a big quarter.

The second half started off right for the Thunder accounting for a steal and break away layup from Wilson along with a jump shot the next possession. Scoring contributions from Gammage and 4 more points for Harris added to a big quarter with Harris slamming down 4 dunks in just minutes including an off the backboard, two hand dunk, to erupt the crowd from Kumar. The Thunder came away with 7 steals and Harris finished the quarter with plenty of highlight dunks. The third quarter wrapped up at a score of 72-31.

The final quarter was a slow start for the both teams, but the Thunder finished off with a bang, scoring the last 6 points of the game coming with spotlight blocks, steals, and even a contested dunk for the sophomore Osasere Ighodaro. DV’s win was an all around team effort and had major contributions from players like Wilson, Gammage, and Harris who put on a show scoring 24 points in just 3 quarter. It was a statement win for the Thunder avenging their first loss of the season in the previous matchup ending at an impressing score of 40-84.