Hardwood Fall Classic at Ironwood Ridge

I came early to watch Flowing Wells play Ironwood Ridge and discovered a better game was already being played.

While The Ridge blasted Flowing Wells 73-31 in the nightcap, Cholla came from 11 back to defeat Nogales 63-62 in the first game of the night.

Nogales was on cruise control. They were up 37-26 at halftime.

The Hardwood Classic features two 16 minute halves instead of four 8 minute quarters. Cholla would just need the last three minutes.

Nogales was hanging on 62-57 with 3:06 left in the game before Cholla was able to cut it to 62-59 with 2:13 left. The mood on the Nogales bench shifted as every call seemed to be going against them to aid Cholla in their comeback.

Ricardo de la Riva Talks to Cesar Solis and Octavio Martinez

Nogales coach Ricardo de la Riva was beside himself as his team was called for four fouls, a lane violation and an inbounds violation in the last 1:12. All six of those calls come from the same referee.

With 1:12 left Victor Dominguez fouled out of the game for Nogales and he sent Alejandro Lujan to the line where he made both free throws. 62-61 Nogales.

Lujan was fouled again with 50 seconds left but he missed the first free throw but a lane violation was called on Nogales after they had taken the rebound and started to move up court. The delay in the call really upset the Nogales bench.

Lujan made the first to tie the game at 62 but then missed the second.

Andres Sanchez missed a shot in the lane for Nogales but they would get the ball on the side with 31 second left with the game tied. Nogales was then called for a line violation, giving the ball back to Cholla.

Sanchez fouled Daniel Grijalva but he missed the free throw. 6’10” Ajak Magot would get the rebound for Cholla but he was then fouled by Sanches also.

Magot made his first with 13 seconds left to give Cholla its first lead 63-62 but missed the second. Sanchez would attempt a three pointer with 2 seconds left but it glanced off the rim.

Magot finished with 23 points and Alan Moreno would get 21 for Cholla.

I was hoping the second game would be as exciting as the first but when I saw 7 foot Jan Maehlen warming up for The Ridge I knew it was going to be along night for Flowing Wells.

The game was actually pretty close with Flowing Wells being down only 8-7 with 12:21 left in the first.

At that point Adrian Walter had already collected two fouls for the Nighthawks and Maehlen was not a factor.

Walter picked p his third foul with 9:51 left and Ironwood Ridge was only up 12-7 at that point.

The Ridge called a timeout with 9 minutes left and came out with a press. They went up 24-14 by the six minute mark with Temesgen Fesahazion collecting three fouls of his own for Flowing Wells in the process.

Flowing Wells would cut the score to 25-17 with 3:19 left on a Gilbert Paull jumper but Alec Sonderman and Mitch Fischer would each get four points and Maehlen would get another basket to end the half 34-17 for The Ridge.

Maehlen had 11 points in the first half and Tyler D’Amore added 7 for the Nighthawks while Fesahazion would get 6.  Fesahazion would only get two more the rest of the game.

Jan Maehlen

Walter came out of the locker room on fire after only picking up 2 points due to his early foul trouble. He put in three buckets and was going for his fourth in the first four minutes of the half before he was once again sent to the bench due to a bloody nose. Sonderman sunk both free throws for Walter under the injury rule.

The score grew to 48-19 at the 12 minute mark and then the Nighthawks called a timeout.

They came out of the timeout with an athletic press and completely swarmed Flowing Wells till 8 minutes were left in the game and the subs started coming in.

The final score was 73-31 with the mercy rule keeping the clock running near the end.

Ironwood Ridge: Maehlen 19 points; Sean Collins 11; Walter 11; Sonderman 8; D’Amore 7; Brendan Sharkey 6; Fischer 6; Kyle Petty 2; Kevin Collier 2; Craig Covington 1.

Flowing Wells: Fesahazion 8; Paull 7; Esmundo Gamez-Villa 7; Eric Varela 3; Jeremy Miller 3; Xavier Zavala 2; Burk Butler 1.

Flowing Wells Plays Nogales tonight at 6 pm and Cholla Plays Ironwood Ridge at 7 pm.  All games at Ironwood Ridge.

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Octavio Martinez Shoots in the First Half
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Victor Dominguez Drives on Ajak Magot
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Ajak Magot
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Alejandro Lujan Ties the Game
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Ricardo de la Riva Sets up the final 30 Seconds
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Rick Luna Responds to His Team
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Magot Makes the Winning Shot
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Slide 10 of 15.
Jan Maehlan Towers Over Temesgen Fesahazion
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Brian Peabody Directs the Press
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Daron Cross