HS HOOPS: Canyon shocks Golden Valley

CANYON COUNTRY -- Down by 12 points in the second half of a basketball game nobody ever expected Canyon High to win, the Cowboys pulled off a huge comeback Tuesday, defeating heavily favored Golden Valley 77-70 in an upset that is sure to send shockwaves through the Foothill League.

"We never gave up. That's what was beautiful," said Canyon's Wesley Bartole, who scored 20 points.

Canyon had won just eight games last year compared to 27 for Golden Valley, and two of Canyon's top returning starters transferred out before this season.

Just three weeks ago, Golden Valley (13-4, 0-1) won the prestigious 32-team San Fernando Valley Invitational, one of the Southland's biggest tournaments. But on Tuesday, the Grizzlies imploded.

"We knew Golden Valley wouldn't take us seriously and that they thought they were better than us," Bartole said. "But we also knew we could come back against them because that's the way we are -- we're 14 deep and we fight every game."

Canyon's Chris Quant scored 19 points and converted five 3-pointers, four in the third quarter.

"We're underdogs, but we made a statement tonight," Canyon's Cody Moore said. "People better watch out for us."

Brian Nnaoji added 18 points for Canyon (12-5, 1-0), and Tere Adams scored 16.

Golden Valley has no choice but to get back to basics.

"We've got to play like us. We've got to play like Golden Valley," Trevor Callahan said.

It was not a pretty game, as the teams combined for 52 fouls, and three players totaled were disqualified for totaling five fouls.

It was an especially rough first quarter that included 17 fouls, four technicals and a near ejection when Golden Valley's Jake Martin charged Canyon's Paul Nnaoji, resulting in Martin being called for a technical and being benched by coach Chris Printz for nearly all of the first half.

"We got beat. I give all the credit to Canyon," Printz said. "We made a lot of mistakes, and we have a lot of work to do. I'm excited to see how our guys handle this challenge."

-- Gerry Gittelson

GV 16-17-18-19-70
CYN 13-16-22-26-77

GV - Hale 4, Khatari Price 13, Taylor Statham 14, Trevor Wiseman 20, Calahan 7, Chaissan 3, Nunley 2, Looper 7.
CYN - Apsay 4, Brian Nnaoji 18, Wesley Bartole 20, Tere Adams 16, Chris Quant 19 (5 3-pointers)
R: GV : 13-4, 0-1; C 12-5, 1-0
C