By Jon Johnson
PIMA – In a gritty, low-scoring battle that lived up to its billing as the toughest test of the season for the Pima Roughriders, the top-ranked San Tan Charter Roadrunners escaped the Punisher’s Palace with a narrow 40-37 victory on Thursday night.
The game, played in Pima’s new gymnasium, featured intense defense from both sides in what was otherwise a high-powered Copper Division matchup. San Tan Charter, No. 1 in the division and averaging over 100 points per game in its last five, was held to just 40 points — a testament to the Roughriders’ defensive resolve.
Before tip-off, the evening carried extra emotion as Pima honored longtime boys basketball coach Cliff Thompson, who announced he would step down at the end of the season after more than 20 years at the helm. A touching ceremony saw the team unveil a banner of thanks in his honor, setting an inspirational tone for the home squad.
San Tan Charter wasted no time asserting itself, with Tori Street igniting the Roadrunners early. Street scooped up a loose ball for a quick bucket and foul, then drove for another score to give his team a 5-0 lead. Jachin Reynolds added flair with a thunderous two-handed dunk over Pima’s Joel Mattice, pushing the visitors to a 9-2 advantage midway through the first quarter.
Pima responded with resilience. Joel Mattice got the Roughriders on the board with a short jumper, and Keegan Corona connected with Nathan Bodily for a deep three. Stratton McRae provided a highlight-reel block, and the home team battled back to tie the game at 9 before San Tan closed the quarter on a 5-0 run for a 14-9 lead.
The second quarter saw runs from both teams. San Tan stretched the margin to eight on a Peyton Lubash fast-break score, but Pima chipped away with threes from McRae and buckets from Charlie Richardson and Mattice. The Roadrunners took a 23-18 halftime edge, led by Kristo Jackson’s scoring touch.
San Tan pushed the lead to 12 in the third quarter behind Jackson’s three-pointer and Street’s layup. Pima refused to fold, with Mattice powering through contact for scores and Corona drilling a deep three at the buzzer to make it 32-25 entering the fourth.
The fourth quarter turned into a nail-biter. Richardson’s putback and Corona’s contested three-pointer pulled Pima within two. Defensive stands — including McRae’s blocks and Isaac Thompson’s timely plays — kept the Roughriders alive. With under two minutes left, Corona scored on an and-1 opportunity to bring the Riders within a bucket, but San Tan answered.
In the final minute, after a costly Pima turnover on an inbound, the Roadrunners held for the win despite late drama. Jason Gremillion missed two free throws with five seconds left, giving Pima one last chance. A corner three from Isaac Thompson bounced off the backboard, sealing San Tan’s survival in the “Desperados’ Den.”
Kristo Jackson paced the Roadrunners with 13 points, while Tori Street added 9. Dylan Vargas contributed 6, and Bryce Whiting had 5. For Pima, Charlie Richardson led with 12 points, Joel Mattice and Keegan Corona each scored 8, and Stratton McRae provided 4 points along with key defensive plays.
The Roadrunners, the overall No. 1 seed in the upcoming Copper State Championship (1A-3A), will host No. 16 Holbrook in the playoffs. Pima, seeded No. 6, will host No. 11 North Valley Christian on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. in what promises to be an emotional postseason run under Coach Thompson’s final games.
