Mesa High engaged in its first battle start to finish with a 6A East Valley Region opponent Tuesday and came away unscathed with a strong final quarter.

Led offensively at different junctures by Jimari Grayson, Steven Cervantes and Tanner Crawford and with help defensively from Talbot Cummard, the Jackrabbits outscored Mountain View 17--9 in the last eight minutes to post a 65-59 triumph at Toro Gym.

Mesa (7-1 overall, 7-0 region) is seven games into its 10-game region schedule and has commanding edge over the rest of the region with three games left. Mountain View (5-3, 5-2) played a better game in its second meeting with Mesa, but it wasn't enough. Mesa used a 14-0 run over a nearly five-minute span to overcome fourth-quarter deficit.

Grayson, a transfer from Apache Junction which canceled this winter sports season due to COVID-19, led all scorers with 23 points (8 of 13 shooting from the field). Grayson sat much of the second quarter with foul trouble, but guided Mesa to an 18-17 lead after the first quarter with nine points. He heated up again in the final quarter connecting for 10 points as the Jackrabbits rallied from down 53-48 in the first minute of the quarter. His skill pentrating the lane netted most of his points.  

Another transfer - 6-foot-7 Crawford (Williams Field) - showed up bigtime in the final quarter. LIke Grayson he sat more of the first half with foul trouble. The final period saw him scored seven of his 10 points. More importantly defended the paint and adjusted several shots and blocked at least four.  

Perhaps as important as any contribution was that of Cervantes, a three-year varsity vet and this year's leading scorer to date. With Grayson and Crawford missing in the second quarter he capably handled scoring with 12 of his 16 points mostly from the perimeter. Mesa's largest lead until the final period was eight in the middle of the second quarter when Cervantes had the hot hand.

"Steven got us some big shots, he's the heart of the team," Mesa coach Scott Stansberry said. "Jimari and Tanner have played well too. I can't say enough about how well Talbot played defensively. He guarded their best guy and did a great job."

Cummard guarded Mountain View's leading scorer, sophomore Brigg Wolfe. Wolfe averages 17 points and game. He totaled 15 for the game, but just three in the final quarter (a three the first shot of the quarter). Senior Cooper Arnett led Mountain View with 20 points and junior Milaki Ta'ase finished with 11.

Mountain View's three losses are two to Mesa and one to Basha. The Toros lost the first two by decisive margins, but were in both games late. Coach Gart Ernst said getting wins in the fourth quarter in tougher games is still their hurdle as the season moves on. 

Mountain View next plays Wednesday non-region at Chaparral while Mesa hosts a freedom game Thursday with Hamilton.