JC BASKETBALL : Mixon’s 27 Keep Canyons in First With 92-84 Win

With its leading scorer, Vincent Ray, hobbling on an injured ankle, College of the Canyons’ James Mixon came through with 27 points to lead the Cougars to a 92-84 Mountain Valley Conference win at Trade Tech on Friday night.

Ray, injured ankle notwithstanding, scored 23 points.

“He injured it yesterday in practice,” Canyons Coach Lee Smelser said. “We’re just glad he could play.”

Mixon, a sophomore guard, led a well-balanced Canyons attack as the Cougars improved to 4-0, 15-7, preserving Canyons’ tie with L. A. Southwest for first place in conference.

Trade Tech’s Mike Brown, the conference’s leading scorer, scored 18 of his 26 points in the first 10 minutes of the second half. “He’s a fine shooter,” said Smelser of Brown. Trade Tech led, 69-61, with 10 minutes left.

“We kept our composure,” Smelser said. “It was a real team effort tonight. With Vinnie hurt, Mixon had to carry us and he played a great game.”

Trade Tech wasn’t able to match Canyons’ offensive strength--five Cougars scored in double figures. Canyons’ defense forced several second-half turnovers and, after Ray converted a three-point play, Canyons took the lead for good, 74-73, with 6:47 left.

Ron Stapp had 14 points for the Cougars, while Anthony Hines had 12 and Doug Aitken had 10. It was the third straight game in which Mixon, the team’s second leading-scorer, had 25 or more points. Canyons led at the half, 39-36.

Hines, Canyons’ 6-7 center, had a game-high 12 rebounds, and teammate Kevin Honaker had six assists.

Canyons will play the conference’s only other unbeaten team, L. A. Southwest at Canyons, Wednesday night at 7:30.

Trade Tech is 2-2, 13-9 overall. Jeffery Martin and Tony Johnson each scored 17 points for Trade Tech.

Long Beach 79, Pierce 66--Johnny Griffin scored a game-high 27 and teammate Kennedy Dixon had 12 to lead the Vikings to a Metropolitan Conference victory at Pierce.

Pierce’s Tony Thomas, the team’s leading scorer, had a team-high 23 points for the Brahmas as they lost their seventh conference game against one victory. Brian Italia had 14 points and Duane Newton scored 12 for Pierce. Randy Warner scored three points and had seven rebounds for the Brahmas. Pierce is 4-22 overall.

Long Beach is 6-2, 18-9 overall.

West L. A. College 85, Valley 84--West L. A.’s Frank Lopez, a 5-11 freshman from Culver City High, hit a last-second shot to lift the Oilers to an overtime victory at Valley.

The loss dropped Valley to 10-13 overall and 1-3 in the Mountain Valley Conference. West L. A. improved its overall record to 7-17 and its conference record to 1-3.

Valley College (women) 78, Antelope Valley 47--The Monarchs, coming off an upset Wednesday over defending state champion L. A. City, remained unbeaten in Mountain Valley Conference play after punishing visiting Antelope Valley.

The win gives the Monarchs sole possession of first place in conference.

Tina Johnson, the conference’s second-leading scorer, had a team-high 19 points and hauled in 17 rebounds for Valley (4-0, 11-10). Teammates Maryjo Testa and Jill Daniels had 18 and 16 points. Lisa Rodriquez had 10 points and seven rebounds for the Monarchs.

Antelope Valley is 3-2, 13-7 overall.