VARNELL, Ga. - It was an early-season test for the undefeated Sonoraville High School boys' basketball team, but even though the Phoenix pulled out a 57-54 Region 6-AAA win at Coahulla Creek on Tuesday, their grade might go down as incomplete.
At least that was the view of Phoenix coach Brent Mashburn, who watched his team build a 10-point lead heading into the final period only to nearly give it away with a myriad of turnovers and ill-advised shots.
"We made a few plays that will get you beat down the stretch," Mashburn said, "but I thought the kids battled and made enough plays to help us recover from our mistakes. It was almost how to not win a basketball game out there."
But win Sonoraville (6-0, 4-0) did, mostly on the hot shooting of guard Will Walraven, who scored 12 of the Phoenix's 22 points in a third period in which they hit five of their first six shots to swell their three-point halftime lead.
Walraven hit three consecutive shots to start the period, including a 3-pointer for a 36-28 lead. He later hit another trey and closed the quarter with a short runner at the buzzer for a 51-41 lead.
"Sharing the ball and not being selfish were the keys in that third quarter," Walraven said. "When we move the ball like that, we make things happen."
The performance wasn't lost on Mashburn.
"Will is our guy," he said. "Whoever we play they have to account for him, and he knows how to finish a game. I'm blessed to have him and that he understands how to play under control and do things that help us win games."
The Colts (6-4, 2-2) did not go away, opening the fourth quarter with a 6-2 run and picking up their pressure defensively. Walraven quieted the rally for a moment with two free throws and a layup off an offensive rebound from Trenton Daniel to stretch the lead back to 10 with 2:35 to play.
Those, though, were the final Sonoraville points in a period in which the Phoenix committed eight turnovers and gave the Colts ample opportunity to rally. Tyler Phillips pulled Coahulla Creek to within five on a 3-pointer with 1:26 to play, and Austin Tibbs hit a short jumper to cut the lead to three with a minute left.
Sonoraville's Tavian Reynolds made a key steal to thwart one possession with eight seconds left, but Tibbs stole the right back. His rushed attempt to tie the game was off, however, and the Phoenix held on.
"We're 6-0 and we play well at times, but we have long stretches in games where we haven't been very good," said Mashburn, still processing the final few minutes. "But they battle every trip, and if we keep this up we will be in games. It's a nice win, but who knows how big it is? I do know it's great for our confidence."
Bryce Waters added 18 points and Brad Wilson had 12 (all on 3s) for the Phoenix, while Coahulla Creek star Tyler Phillips had 22 points and Maddox Adams scored 13.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22.