Turnover totals can often be a telling stat in a basketball game. That was not the case in Saturday afternoon's clash between Sunnyslope and Basha, two top-five teams in the 6A boys power-rankings.

Sunnyslope posted 20 turnovers to Basha's six. The scoreboard, however, read 72-57 for No. 1 Sunnyslope over No. 5 Basha when the final buzzer sounded, completing a 4-0 week for the Vikings. Other than the turnover disparity, it was a decisive win for unbeaten Sunnyslope (9-0). 

Both Sunnyslope and Basha scored wins Friday night over previously unbeaten teams - Sunnyslope by a point over 4A No. 3 Paradise Honors and Basha big over 6A and No. 3 Liberty. 

"Our guys rose to the challenge today," Sunnyslope coach Ray Portela said. "A lot of people may have questioned us in the win yesterday. We played a great first half and not a good second half in that one. We challenged the guys to day to play a full game."

Sunnyslope never trailed, scored the first six points and finished the opening quarter with an 18-7 lead. The Vikings' advantage never dipped below 11 to the finish. A spectacular showing from 6-foot-8 junior Elijah Saunders led the way.

Saunders scored a season- and career-high 32 points and couldn't be stopped. Saunders made 11 of 16 shots and all six of his free throws. He ruled the low post where most of his points were tallied. For good measure he added a couple medium-range jumpers and two threes.  The 32-points nearly doubled his previous career best of 18 points.

"We have had some problems with turnovers," Portela said. "Our goal on offense is to get a great shot, not just a good shot."

Sunnyslope did that with great frequency. Several times it didn't take more than a couple passes to get that great shot. The Vikings shot 63 percent from the field in the first half (15 of 24). They were nearly as good the second half (12 of 20). Starting guards Malcolm Olexa and Oakland Fort reached double figures for Sunnyslope with 14 points and 11 points, respectively.

Basha did not shoot well, particularly in the first half in suffering is second loss of the season in 10 games. The Bears made only 8 of 27 field goals (30 percent) in the first half and scored only two points in the game's first six minutes.

Basha's leading scorer Trenton McLaughlin, who connected for 25 points in Friday's win at Liberty and averages 23 per game, was off his game. He played with an injured index finger on his right hand and it did seem to effect his shooting. McLaughlin scored just two points in the first half and only attempted six shots. He made his only basket with 12 seconds before intermission. He contributed more in the second half (16 points). Teammates Thomas Hastings and Lucas Fichiera checked in with 12 points apiece. 

Sunnyslope's next game is Wednesday night at Desert Vista while Basha is back in action Tuesday at Sandra Day O'Connor.