Though two of the state\u2019s best 3-point shooting teams faced off Friday at Thunder Mountain High School, the winning shots didn\u2019t come from distance, but only 15 feet from the backboard: the Falcons won their home opener against West Valley with a 16-19 performance from the line, including going 6-6 in the final two minutes.<\/p>\n
The Thunder Mountain boys (3-2) notched their first home court 4A win in two seasons 62-56. Four free throws from Josh McAndrews, two from Noah Reishus-O\u2019Brien and a fastbreak bucket from Chase Saviers iced the game in the final two minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just practice makes perfect. We shoot free throws in practice constantly,\u201d Saviers said. \u201cThey have two awesome players in Cornelius Mingo Jr. and Jaden Whiteside. It was just a hard-fought game the entire way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riley Olson led the Falcons in the win with 16, followed by Saviers with 14 and Noah Reishus-O\u2019Brien and Luke Clark with 10 each.<\/p>\n
West Valley\u2019s Whiteside \u2014 considered one of the best shooters in the state \u2014 blanked two free throws which would have tied the game with 16 seconds remaining. He led the Wolfpack in defeat with 15.<\/p>\n
Mingo Jr. had 12, Jaquarious Ward added 10 and freshman guard Dylan Erhart had seven.<\/p>\n
Each team hit six shots from the arc.<\/p>\n
Coach John Blasco said it \u201chelps to get that one off your back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s that added pressure playing in front of your family, your classmates, so getting that one out of the way so you can just relax and play basketball, it feels good,\u201d Blasco said.<\/p>\n
West Valley (3-4) and Thunder Mountain had played twice already this season, splitting two mid-December matchups by less than five points (Falcons 64, Wolfpack 69; Falcons 58, Wolfpack 54).<\/p>\n
TMHS started the game slow, going down 0-10 in the first quarter before a pair of 3-pointers from Luke Clark helped the home team close the gap to 12-17 by the end of the first.<\/p>\n
The Falcons kept pace in the second with solid post play from Riley Olsen to head into half down 26-31. Saviers lit up in the third quarter (nine points on three field goals and 3-4 from the line) and the Falcons took the 45-44 lead heading into the fourth.<\/p>\n
Coverage of Thunder Mountain\u2019s Saturday night game with West Valley didn\u2019t make print deadlines. Look for results at the Empire online at juneauempire.com.<\/p>\n
The Falcons head to Dimond High School next weekend for the AK Prep Shootout.<\/p>\n
FALCONS 62, <\/strong>WOLFPACK 56<\/strong><\/p>\n Thunder Mountain 12 14 19 17 \u201462<\/p>\n West Valley 17 14 13 12 \u201456<\/p>\n Thunder Mountain (62) \u2014 Olsen 16, Saviers 14, Reishus-O\u2019Brien 10, Clark 10, McAndrews 7, Carandang 3, Storie 2<\/p>\n West Valley (56) \u2014 Whiteside 15, Mingo Jr. 12, Ward 10, Erhart 7, Winfrey 5, Campbell 4, Davis 3<\/p>\n Free throws \u2014 Thunder Mountain 16-19, West Valley 6-13<\/p>\n 3-point goals \u2014 Thunder Mountain 6, West Valley 6<\/p>\n Team fouls \u2014 Thunder Mountain 14, West Valley 17<\/p>\n Read more local Sports coverage:<\/strong><\/p>\n TMHS girls, new coach notch first win<\/a><\/p>\n