For the final three quarters of Monday’s basketball game, the Sonoraville Phoenix possibly played better than they have all season as they defeated the visiting Chattooga Indians 72-57.

“This was maybe as efficient of a night as we have had all season,” said SHS Head Coach Brent Mashburn. “We did a really good job of just giving them one shot and I think that was the difference.”

The game did not get off to a great start for Sonoraville, who fell down 18-9 after the first quarter.

“We gave them some easy looks in the first quarter but we were able to take care of that as we went along,” said Mashburn.”

The tide turned abruptly in the second quarter as the Phoenix rolled out 16 points while holding the Indians to nine to take a three point lead, 26-23, into the half.

In the second half, led by Justin Zachary, the Phoenix only got better, scoring 22 points in the third quarter and 24 in the fourth. They held Chattooga to 19 and 15.

Zachary hit 7-of-8 shots from the field in the second half and was 11-for-16 in the game, including 3-for-5 from behind the arch. He totaled a game high 28 points.

“Chattooga has done a good job of defending him but he has been patient, waiting and working to get open,” said Brent Mashburn. “The thing I was most proud of was the way he went to the glass and rebounded from the top of that zone. He is a guy with enough athletic ability to be able to do that on that end.”

Greg Mulkey and Adolphus Allen scored 12 and 10 points respectively. Mulkey added six rebounds.

“I got a little frustrated with Adolphus early and sat him,” said Mashburn. “But to see the way he came out and responded in the second half, I couldn’t be more pleased with that.”

C.J. Morris had well balanced night for the Phoenix with nine points, four blocked shots and three steals.

“I got on to him a little bit before the game about toughness because he is a kid that can bring that for us,” said Mashburn. “He hit some shots early and that gave him confidence, and that just carried over.”

Tucker Blaylock recorded 10 assists and grabbed six rebounds.

“Tucker is a guy who we really don’t look to score an awful lot, but the ball is in his hands all the time,” said Mashburn. “As the season has went on he seems to make better decisions and he understands where it [the ball] needs to go, who it needs to get to, and when it needs to get there.”

Rashad Ramsey scored a team high 21 points for the Indians. Olajwwon Blair added 17.

The Phoenix are 12-11 overall and 4-4 in the sub-region.