Sunrise Boys: Jaden Hardy’s 37 points sends Coronado to region title game

Foothill’s boys basketball team went through extended periods where it was ice cold from the perimeter on Thursday night.

Coronado’s Jaden Hardy had no such problem.

The freshman poured in 37 points as the Cougars rolled to an 87-75 victory over the Falcons in the Class 4A Sunrise Region semifinals at Canyon Springs.

“He really emerged as a leader tonight,” Coronado coach Jeff Kaufman said. “He shot the ball really well, and he always shoots the ball really well. But he did a lot of things really getting his team going. For a freshman to become a leader, he kind of developed into that. And the playoffs are the time for that kind of stuff to happen.”

Hardy was 13-for-23 from the field and 7-for-14 on 3-pointers. Most of his 3-pointers came off the dribble, and most from well beyond the 3-point line.

“Those big shots, that’s what gets us going,” Hardy said. “When I get going, my teammates get going.”

Coronado (17-11) led 39-24 at the half, but Foothill opened the third quarter strong, and got as close as 49-40 after a Marvin Coleman bucket with 4:24 to go in the quarter.

But Hardy answered with a long 3-pointer, then went on a personal 9-0 run capped by a four-point play with 2:20 left in the period that pushed the lead to 63-43.

“There’s no shot that he’s scared of, so you’ve got to let him go,” Kaufman said. “You’ve got to let a shooter shoot.”

While Hardy was red hot, Foothill spent much of the game ice cold, especially from long range. The Falcons finished 10-for-41 (24.4 percent) on 3-pointers.

“That’s how Foothill kills you. They shoot 3s,” Kaufman said. “We did a good job tonight of getting our hands up on 3s.”

Tyrelle Hunt added 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Taieem Comeaux had 11 points and 14 rebounds for the Cougars, who play Canyon Springs (23-2) in the title game at 6 p.m. Saturday at Canyon Springs. The winner of that game advances to next week’s state tournament in Reno.

“Hopefully we can get the win on Saturday,” Hardy said. “If we just continue to play hard, we’re going to be in Reno.”

Coleman led Foothill (20-9) with 24 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Dylan Hushaw and Jace Roquemore each added 14 points for the Falcons.”

Canyon Springs 96, Liberty 87 — Kevin Legardy had 39 points and 10 rebounds as the Pioneers topped the Patriots in the other semifinal.

Sophomore guard Alexander Spaight added 30 points for Canyon Springs, which was 15-for-23 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

“The guards played well,” Canyon Springs coach Freddie Banks said. “We just had to play basketball. My guards played well tonight. Kevin and Alexander’s been playinjg extremely well for us this whole season. So we just hope and pray that we can come back Saturday and do the same thing.”

Canyon Springs was in control early, and the Pioneers led 44-29 at the half before Julian Strawther shot Liberty back into the game. The sophomore forward hit four 3-pointes and scored 14 third-quater points. Cameron Burist added nine points in the third quarter for the Patriots, who trailed 61-59 after three quarters.

The lead changed hands seven times in the fourth quarter before Legardy’s long 3-pointer from the top of the key broke a 71-71 tie, and the Pioneers wouldn’t trail.

Liberty was whistled for a foul and a technical on Canyon Springs’ next possession, helping the Pioneers push th lead to 78-71.

Spaight had 17 points in the fourth quarter, and was 9-for-9 from the line in the period.

Burist had 27 points, and Strawther had 23 points and 16 rebounds for Liberty (18-10). Terrance Marigney added 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Patriots.