SIERRA VISTA — The Buena High School Colts kept their strong season rolling Tuesday night with an 84-72 victory over the Cholla Chargers, pushing their record to an impressive 8-2. The win was particularly notable as it came against a Chargers squad that entered the contest with an 8-1 record, making it a battle between two of the area’s top teams.
The victory showcased the depth and speed that has become the Colts’ trademark this season, as their deep bench kept fresh legs on the floor throughout the contest.
Buena’s balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Chargers to handle. Senior Thomas Welker led the way with 14 points, while three Colts added 11 points each: Steven Wambach, Gabriel Padilla, and Kaden Lea. The distribution of scoring reflects Coach Dennis Baker’s trust in his entire rotation, with the Colts’ relentless substitution pattern wearing down opponents with wave after wave of fresh players.
“They just keep coming at you,” has become a common refrain from opposing coaches facing Buena’s up-tempo style. The Colts’ ability to maintain their frenetic pace deep into games comes from their willingness to play their bench, creating matchup nightmares for teams that can’t match their depth.
Despite the loss, Cholla received a jaw-dropping performance from freshman sensation Jerry Mendoza, who exploded for 45 points in a breakout performance. The young guard nearly single-handedly kept the Chargers in contention, showcasing the kind of scoring ability that will make him a player to watch in the years to come. However, Mendoza’s heroics weren’t enough to overcome Buena’s team-oriented attack.
The Colts will look to keep their running show on the road Friday when they travel to face Amphi High School, while the Chargers (8-2) will head to Marana High School looking to bounce back from the defeat.
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