ANAHEIM – Successful teams find a way to win close games on the road, and Esperanza proved that point as it fought off Canyon for a 73-68 win in a Crestview League game Friday night at Canyon High.
The Aztecs (19-1, 2-0) were led by Kezie Okpala, who scored a game-high 37 points, including a pair of free throws with 20 seconds left to hold off the relentless Comanches (12-9, 1-1).
Esperanza has won 16 consecutive games.
In the second half, Canyon got scoring help from AJ Perry (16 points) and Lucas Holden (12 points) to stay within range. They trailed 48-47 at the end of the third.
Jordan Holden knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Comanches a 54-52 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Okpala answered with some baskets in the low post.
Perry drilled a three to bring Canyon within 69-68 and had a chance to score the go-ahead basket on the next possession, but he came up short on his shot. Okpala was fouled after securing the rebound with 20 seconds left.
The Aztecs started the night by missing their first five shots and trailed by five points early on. That changed quickly as back-to-back 3-point plays by Travis Kettering and Okpala gave Esperanza an early 6-5 lead.
Canyon’s seven turnovers in the opening quarter allowed the cold-shooting Aztecs to stay in the game, and the teams were tied, 13-13, at the end of the first quarter.
Esperanza went on a 9-0 run to start the second quarter as it controlled the offensive glass for second-chance opportunities.
Canyon responded with great production from its bench. The trio of Jeremy Corsan, Jayden Deshawn Gallegos and Matt Williams combined for 15 first-half points. Despite the spark from the reserves, the Comanches still trailed at halftime, 32-29.
