Stumbling Stallions battle back

Sierra's season started worse than new coach Otis Johnson could have imagined.

The Pikes Peak No. 2 Stallions trailed unranked Fountain-Fort Carson 11-0 and didn't score until 47 seconds were left in the first quarter.

Then it got worse.

Fountain-Fort Carson built a 16-point lead before Sierra - playing without two starters - rallied for a 44-39 victory in the first round of the Pikes Peak Tip Off Classic on Tuesday at Palmer.

"It was humbling, in a way, to start like that," Johnson said, "and very, very satisfying to win."

The two tournaments - co-hosted by Doherty for the first time - consists of eight boys and eight girls teams. Play continues Thursday at both venues with consolation and semifinals and concludes Friday night.

Both 4A Sierra and 5A Fountain-Fort Carson struggled in their opener. The Trojans shot 35 percent, made just 7 of 16 free throws and had 19 turnovers.

"We missed a whole bunch of point-blank lay-ups and they took advantage of it," Trojans coach Anthony Ribaudo said. "I credit Sierra. They came at us and we didn't respond very well."

The Stallions shot just 32 percent and made only 2 of 16 from beyond the 3-point arc but converted 9 of 10 free throws in the final quarter, four each by seniors Jamil Cooks (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Kelby Dias (eight points, four steals).

"We needed people to step up and Jamil played real well inside," said senior Marquis Burleson, who played at Doherty last season. "It was real frustrating early. We got open shots but nothing would go in."

It was 17-1 when Burleson fed Cooks for Sierra's first basket, nearly 12 minutes into the fray. Burleson fueled a 10-0 spurt sandwiching halftime - including a steal and assist on Jahmall Fountain's breakaway dunk - as the Stallions got within 21-15.

Fountain-Fort Carson led 32-22 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter but Sierra enjoyed a 22-7 finish.

"We knew it had to start with defense and that's how we turned it around," Cooks said.

The Stallions did it without seniors Clarence Bumpas and Erik Fielder. Bumpas was ejected from Sierra's state playoff football game and is serving a two-game suspension.

Fielder missed the opener for being late to practice, Johnson said.

"If this team is going to be as good as it could be, we've got to be disciplined," said Johnson, a 1995 Sierra graduate.

Johnson predicted success for the Trojans, who were led by junior Martin Thomas (15 points, 12 rebounds), Quincy Davis (eight points) and Malcolm Thomas (seven).
Burleson said Sierra has high expectations.

"Once we get everybody back and play to our potential, we could be the best in the state," he said. "We could play with anybody, 4A or 5A.

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