Pinnacle's boys hoops kept pecking away, trying to distance itself from Higley in the opening game of the tournament Monday morning of the 15th annual Visit Mesa Basketball Challenge. 

The Pioneers finally amassed a double-digit lead with 11 minutes left in the second half and went on to defeat the Knights, 92-77, at Mountain View High School. The teams traded small leads in the first half that saw the lead change hands 11 times.

Pinnacle improved to 6-0 and received balanced scoring in building on a 41-35 halftime lead. Senior guard Ashton Reese took game-high honors with 24 points. A trio of teammates reached double figures as well - senior guard Bryce Ford (16 points) and senior guard Devan Smith and junior guard Braylon Johnson netting 13 points apiece. Pinnacle connected on 13 threes with six players with one or more. Reese sank four threes and Smith and Ford three each.

Higley (2-4) also had four players score in double figures. Senior Yarell Greer led with 16 points, followed by Noah Gloor (15), Charlie Randall (12) and Donovan Dabney (11). Greer connected on 12 of his 16 points in the first half and Gloor posted 10 of his 15 in the second half.

Reese tallied 17 of his 24 points in the first half, Ford 10 of his 16 in the second half and Johnson 11 of his 13 in the final 16 minutes. The teams traded small leads in the first half with 14 lead changes the theme.

Higley tries to reverse fortune Tuesday taking on Jefferson (NY) at 11 a.m. Pinnacle plays Tuesday at 2:30 in its second game taking on Benet Academy (IL).