Johnson’s 17 Points Spark Pima’s Dominant 80-55 Victory Over South Mtn, Securing Regional Finals Spot

The Pima Community College men’s basketball team, boasting an unbeaten record of 31-0, kicked off the 2024-25 winter playoff season on Wednesday by hosting South Mountain Community College, which finished the regular season at 12-19. This matchup, part of the Region I, Division II Semifinals, saw the No. 1-seeded Aztecs decisively defeat the No. 4-seeded Cougars with a score of 80-55, securing their place in the Region I, Division II Finals for the third consecutive year.

In a game marked by strategic plays, the Aztecs ignited a 13-4 run early in the second half, highlighted by freshman Isaac Johnson’s three-pointer, extending their lead to 49-32. Despite a brief resurgence from the Cougars, who managed an 8-2 run to narrow the gap to 57-44, Pima responded emphatically with an 11-1 surge, taking a commanding 68-45 lead with just over seven minutes left on the clock.

The first half was competitive, featuring three ties and seven lead changes. The Cougars initially surged ahead to a 19-12 lead, but the Aztecs bounced back with a 10-2 run, taking a 22-21 advantage. They ended the half on a high note, outscoring South Mountain 14-4 for a 36-28 halftime lead.

“Every team wants to play hard and win,” said sophomore forward/center Gabe Oldham. “We’ve got to take it one step at a time. Tonight was a wake-up call to focus on the present. We lacked defensive intensity, and it was essential to limit their shots and push them away from the basket.”

Sophomore Cohenj Gonzales led all scorers with 18 points, complemented by five rebounds and two steals. Meanwhile, Johnson made a significant impact off the bench with 17 points, achieving an impressive 8 for 9 shooting from the field. Oldham also contributed with nine points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, noting the crucial role of bench players in their success. “Seeing Isaac hit that corner three was huge and really fired us up,” he remarked.

Sophomore Wes Ball added 12 points and five rebounds, while Kota Benson contributed 10 points and five assists. Max Majerle also pitched in with six points and several assists, illustrating the depth of the Aztecs’ roster.

Pima will face No. 2 Chandler-Gilbert Community College in the Region I, Division II Finals at the West Campus Aztec Gymnasium on Friday. The game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. Oldham emphasized the need for a strong defensive effort: “We’re going to push them out of their spots and not let them easily reverse the ball. On offense, we’ll aim high and push the tempo.”