Bouvay Takes a Bite Out of Canyons in 89-77 Valley Victory

When Andre Bouvay isn’t in Valley College Coach Jim Stephens’ doghouse, he can be the man’s best friend on the basketball court.

Stephens has tried to keep Bouvay on a tight leash this season, but the freshman forward has often strayed. Bouvay, who starred on Manual Arts’ state championship team last year, has skipped entire games and practices and shown up for just parts of others, causing Stephens much consternation.

But the 6-foot-6 Bouvay was most conspicuous in his presence Saturday night, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead the Monarchs past College of the Canyons, 89-77, in a Western State Conference game at Valley.

Bouvay, who has been in and out of the lineup this season, did most of his damage inside against Canyons (11-11, 2-3). Once in the second half, he maneuvered inside the lane, came to a quick halt, waited as Cougar Deon Myricks sailed past, then went up for an easy score.

Myricks, Canyons’ high-flying 6-7 center, picked up 2 quick fouls and left the game with 15:12 left in the first half, allowing Valley (14-8, 4-1) free reign inside. Bouvay and others took full advantage as the Monarchs outrebounded Canyons, 29-11, in the first half and 53-33 overall.

“They just outrebounded and outhustled us. I’m not real pleased with the way we played,” Canyons Coach Lee Smelser said. “It seems like everyone rebounds against us.”

Myricks returned in the second half, but the Cougars had built a 10-point halftime lead to 59-41 3 minutes into the second half as Bouvay scored 6 of Valley’s first 10 points. The Cougars never got closer than 12 the rest of the game and trailed by as many as 26.

Not only were the Cougars beaten on the boards, they struggled from the perimeter on offense. Starting guard Larry Allbritton scored 10 points but made just 5 of 19 shots. His backup, Steve Valenzuela, also had 10 points and also shot less than 50%.

“Our defense has been a big difference lately. We’re not just trying to outscore people anymore,” Stephens said.

Valley got 18 points and 6 rebounds from guard Tory Stephens and 13 points and 7 rebounds from center Oral Elrington. The Monarch bench also contributed: Sean Williams scored 16 points and Gerald Franklin added 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Canyons was led by forward Loren Cash, who had 17 points and 6 rebounds.