MHS senior Alia Ballou brings the ball in during a home-opening victory. Photo by Raquel Hendrickson

In their first non-tournament game of the new season, Maricopa High School’s girls’ basketball team thumped Vista Grande, 67-17. The Rams held the Spartans to just three points in the first half.

Junior Jayla Johnson led all scorers with 17 points. Senior Alia Ballou scored 12, including two 3-pointers, and freshman Evone Santiago scored nine. Senior Sydni Callis and junior Destinee Chavis scored eight apiece. Senior Natausha Hall had nine rebounds, and Johnson grabbed five. Callis had 10 steals, and junior Kyla Boyce blocked two shots.

Maricopa hosts Queen Creek (4-1) Thursday at 7 p.m.