Posted: Jan 05, 2026
Cougar Men's Hoops Opens 2026 with Win over AZ Sol
AZ Sol
29
South Mountain Community College
(13-2)
110
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AZ Sol | 14 | 15 | 29 |
|
South Mountain Community College (13-2) | 59 | 51 | 110 |
PHOENIX ---
The South Mountain Community College men's basketball team (13-2) defeated AZ Sol 110-29 in a non-conference contest at the SMCC Gym on Saturday, Jan. 3. Sophomore Blake Carabio led all players with 20 points, and six other Cougars finished in double-figures as SMCC opened the New Year with a resounding victory.
SMCC led 59-14 at halftime after shooting 65.7 percent (23 of 35) from the field, including eight 3-pointers. The Cougars then won the second half 51-15. They finished the game shooting 59.7 percent (43 of 72) from the field and 51.6 percent (16 of 31) from 3-point range. The team also added 51 rebounds, 34 assists, 15 steals, and one block in the victory.
"It was good to wrap up this home stretch with a win. We did a better job with our ball pressure tonight. It was evident by forcing 28 turnovers," said SMCC head coach Cory Hoff. "Our offense was unselfish. We had 34 assists and seven players in double figures. It allowed us to knock some rust off as we turn to what's really important: ACCAC Division II play. We have two tough road contests we need to be prepared for this week, and we look forward to the challenge."
Carabio was 7 of 9 from the field and knocked down five 3-pointers for the third-straight game. He added seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists in 19 minutes.
Freshman Travis Vasquez came off the bench to finish second on the team with 15 points in 23 minutes. He matched a season high with five 3-pointers and added six assists, four rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Freshman Jadden Jones recorded his second double-double over the last three games, finishing with a season-high 13 points to go with 10 rebounds. He added four assists and four steals in 22 minutes.
Sophomore Parker Escalante and freshman I'yar Shadowvine scored 12 points apiece. Escalante posted six assists, five rebounds, and three steals in 23 minutes while shooting 6 of 8 from the field. Shadowvine played 31 minutes and added five assists, two rebounds, and one steal in addition to his dozen points.
Freshmen Eric Butler and Dylan Eaddy also scored 12 points apiece, helping the Cougars' bench score 51 points. Butler was 6 of 10 from the floor with two rebounds and an assist in 15 minutes, while Eaddy shot 5 of 7 from the field and added three rebounds, two 3-pointers, and one steal.
Freshman Semajay James led SMCC with seven assists and added seven points, a rebound, and a steal in 21 minutes. Freshman Thor Hawkins grabbed seven rebounds, five of which came on the offensive glass.
