COLORADO SPRINGS — The Sierra Stallions have long been blessed with an abundance of athleticism — a tag that sometimes rings like a backhanded compliment.
They showed off their complete game Saturday night against rival Mitchell, doing all the little things to produce a big 69-53 Class 4A Colorado Springs Metro League victory.
The third-ranked Stallions were poised in their half-court set, making textbook passes to break the Marauders’ favored 1-3-1 zone, and remained steady during prolonged moments of up-and-down chaos.
The Stallions rolled 10 deep, attacked the boards, moved and hawked on defense, and filled the wings in transition.
“This year, we have so much talent, from the young dudes to the seniors,” Stallions senior Clarence Bumpas said. “Anywhere we go, any position, we have backup. There’s energy there, there’s knowledge and there’s talent.”
Oh, and there was plenty of athleticism — on both sides. From blocks high off the glass to slam dunks, leaping passes and twisting shots with nasty hang times.
Bumpas scored a team-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while guard Erik Fielder and Jamil Cooks scored 11 apiece for the Stallions (15-4, 11-0 in league), who won their 12th straight and avenged their only loss to a 4A team this season.
Fielder, Cooks, Tyrell Johnson, Kamryn Williams and Byron Brown all were stout on defense as the Stallions had 14 fewer turnovers.
The ninth-ranked Marauders (13-6, 7-4), who used just six players nearly the entire game, were leaner and quicker but were strapped with foul trouble.
Zach Sims led the Marauders with 15 points, and senior LaShawn Hamilton played like Dr. Octopus, grabbing 16 rebounds to go with 14 points and five blocked shots.
“It hurts. It hurts bad,” Hamilton said.
Mitchell 14 17 5 17 — 53
Sierra 15 12 21 21 — 69
Mitchell — A. Hamilton 2 7-9 11, Snipes 1 2-2 5, Sims 5 3-3 15, Benson 0 4-7 4, L. Hamilton 6 2-4 14, Havard 1 0-0 2, Abeyta 0 2-2 2. Totals 15 20-27 53.
Sierra — Johnson 2 2-4 6, E. Fielder 4 3-3 11, Bumpas 7 0-0 14, Burleson 3 0-1 7, Williams 4 0-1 8, Dias 0 2-2 2, Cooks 5 1-3 11, Brown 3 0-0 6, Fountain 2 0-0 4, C. Fielder 0 0-0 0. Totals 30 8-14 69.
3-point goals — Sims 2, Snipes; Burleson. Total fouls — Mitchell 16, Sierra 23. Fouled out — Benson. Technicals — Fountain.
