Mountain View's bid to continue the tenure of legendary coach Gary Ernst for at least one more game didn't fail for lack of effort. The Toros jockeyed back and forth with visiting Valley Vista the entire contest in their 6A play-in game Friday night, but the Monsoon had a more at the end.

#17 Valley Vista outscored #16 Mountain View 16-7 over the final five minutes to slip past the Toros, 56-49, at Toro Gym. Valley Vista (16-11) advances to the official first round of the 6A state tournament on Thursday (Feb. 17). The Monsoon will face the No. 2 seed. Seeding for the tournamant will be announced Saturday morning on the AZPreps365 Radio Show beginning at 8 a.m

The loss ended the season for Mountain View (13-14). It was Ernst's final game mentoring the Toros after being told last week by new principal Mike Oliver the position will be opened up after the season. Ernst has 943 wins in his career to go with eight state titles (seven at Mountain View, one at Chandler).

Mountain View led after the first quarter 16-14, trailed at half 31-26 and after three quarters, 40-36. The Toros pecked away the first three minutes of the final period to nab a 42-40 edge with 5:09 to play. It was their final lead.

Valley Vista ran off eight straight points to go up 48-42 with 3:52 to play. Mountain View's Conner Cook scored the Toros next seven points, helping shave Valley Vista's lead to 50-49 with 1:09 to go. Valley Vista sealed its win making 6 of 6 free throws in the final minute and 9 of 10 in the quarter. Six of the 10 free throws were made by the Monsoon's Dwayne Jones.

Valley Vista was led in scoring by Aedem Isai with 15 points - all tallied in the first three quarters. Dallas Marker added 13, including three threes. Cook paced Mountain View with 17 points and Brigg Wolfe checked in with 15.

 

Mtn. View coach Gary Ernst and wife Susan share a pregame moment on Friday night at Toro Gym. (Jose Garcia photo)