Sierra Vista’s depth of 10 capable players gives it an edge

By Jesse Granger

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2015 | 2:23 p.m.

Sierra Vista High basketball player Maka Ellis was one of the highest scoring freshmen in Southern Nevada last season at 19 nearly points per game.

Now, Ellis wants more — to lead the Mountain Lions to a Sunset League title.

They finished 14-13 last season and in fourth place of Sunset, but return six letter winners and expect to challenge power Clark for supremacy.

“We have about 10 guys that could probably start or play varsity minutes in most programs,” Sierra Vista coach Keith Ulrich said. “We’ve developed a lot of depth over the last few years. We have some talented players that are young that have brought us notoriety.”

That depth includes an experienced frontcourt of Jasper Cook, junior Chris McCoy, junior Lerone Gibson and junior Maui SeraJosef.

While he wasn’t much of a scorer as a sophomore at about three points per game, McCoy looks poised to become one of the Mountain Lions go-to options at forward.

“I’m more of a slasher,” McCoy said. “I like to pass as well. I like to set up my teammates as well before I get mine, but if I have the opportunity (to score) then I take it.”

The score-first mentality is common amongst the Mountain Lions, including their unquestioned leader: Ellis, a guard.

“I am a score first point guard, but I like to dish off to get assists,” Ellis said. “I like to pull up for jumpers and drive to the basket.”

At 6-foot-5, there are not many guards in the Sunset who can physically match up with the sophomore, allowing him to drive the ball at will. And when Ellis is good, so are the Mountain Lions.

“We want to play the best at Sierra Vista,” Ulrich said. “A lot of people thought that when we went down there would be a drop off in talent but it really hasn’t with Clark and Faith Lutheran and Mojave in our league. Those are top teams.”

But Sierra Vista has the starting talent to hang with those teams, and could have the advantage when it comes to the bench. The Mountain Lions will also enjoy the addition of senior guard Tanner Lewis, who sat out last year after transferring.

Lewis’ pass-first mentality as a guard could be exactly what Sierra Vista needs to leapfrog one of the top three in the league, Ulrich said. He will be surrounded by scoring options, and could be near the top in assists in the city by season’s end.

“I think we are a good passing team, and if we move the ball well we will be successful,” McCoy said. “I think that if we just stick to our game and do what we do best, we can come away with the “W.””

Jesse Granger can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Jesse on Twitter at twitter.com/JesseGranger_.