Basketball Recap: Kareem Alkhalifa Leads a Balanced Attack to Beat Mountain Ridge

Pinnacle won the last time they faced Mountain Ridge and things went their way on Tuesday too. The Pinnacle Pioneers walked away with a 59-49 victory over the Mountain Ridge Mountain Lions. The Pioneers didn't have much to brag about two games back, but this win makes it their second in a row.

Pinnacle's victory was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Kareem Alkhalifa, who went 6 for 10 en route to 16 points and eight boards. The match was Alkhalifa's fourth in a row with at least ten points. Another player making a difference was Cam Hurt, who posted ten points and five rebounds.

Pinnacle smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive boards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Mountain Ridge only pulled down six offensive rebounds.

Mountain Ridge's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Jagger Cockrell, who went 5 of 7 on his way to 13 points and seven boards. The team also got some help courtesy of Dylan Donovan, who put up 11 points and five rebounds.

Pinnacle's win bumped their record up to 7-14. As for Mountain Ridge, they are on a four-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 9-12.

Pinnacle and Mountain Ridge could both be facing uphill battles in their next games considering their disadvantage in the MaxPreps Arizona Rankings. Pinnacle will face off against Liberty at 7:00 p.m. on Friday down 61 places (80 vs. 19). Meanwhile, Mountain Ridge (ranked 105th) will meet O'Connor (ranked fifth) at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.