Mesa Mountain View boys hoops has faced ups and downs to this juncture of the 2022-23 season. At the moment, the ups are outweighing the downs. 

The Toros endured a seven-game losing streak the final two weeks of December and first game on the 2023 side of the calendar. Look closer and they are in a good stead halfway through region play and seek to keep momentum going over the final three weeks of the regular season.

Mountain View, ranked 16th in the most recent power rankings, kept its 6A East Valley Region record perfect on Friday knocking off Dobson, 68-50, at Toro Gym. Mountain View is 11-10 overall, but in the most important games are 9-3 in power-ranking contests and 5-0 in region. Dobson was #13 on Friday in the power-rankings. The Mustangs fell to 9-8 overall, 6-4 in power-ranking games and 0-3 in region.

Mountain View endured no rocky moments in this one. The senior-laden Toros raced to an 18-6 lead after the first quarter with Brigg Wolfe, Jay Tingey and Peyton Rule combining for all the points in the quarter. The lead improved to 34-18 at halftime. Four Toros reached double figures in scoring. Wolfe connected for 16 points as did Matthew Phair off the Toros bench. Tingey tallied 14 and Peyton Rule 10.

Dobson couldn't make a significant dent in the deficit, pulling within 12 a couple times in the third quarter. The Mustangs trailed by 14 heading to the fourth quarter. Dobson was forced to foul often in the fourth quarter, but the Toros made 7 of 8 down the stretch protecting their lead.

Dobson had three players score in double figures - Zayonte Bolton and Donovan Beard (13 points apiece) and Anthony Bolton (12 points). 

Mountain View plays two region games next week. The Toros host Mesa High (2-0 thus far in East Valley Region play) on Monday and Thursday travel to Dobson. Dobson plays an afternoon home game on Monday (1 p.m. start) against Skyline.