Amphi to title game
by Andy Morales on Feb. 23, 2012, under Sports
Tim Derksen is about to make a free throw to send the game to overtime. His chance at the line came as result of a turnover by Kenny Martin, seen here in the white jersey. Derksen will be going to San Francisco while Martin is on his way to ASU. AIA365.com screen shots.
Amphitheater’s season seemed like it was on the brink down 55-51 with 24 seconds left with Kellis at the free throw line with a chance to seal the victory.
But, the team from Glendale has only shot 60% from the line for the season and, true to form, their free throw was off the mark and fell into the hands of junior center Donald Selig with 22 seconds left.
Selig was fouled on the rebound and he calmly went to the other end and sank his two free throws to close the gap to 55-53.
Future Sun Devil Kenny Martin threw a wild pass down the court that landed somewhere near his bench, giving the Panthers the ball back with 14 seconds left. Ryan Farhat was basically unguarded and was able to dribble the length of the court where he found Tim Derksen under the basket.
Derksen was fouled with 4 seconds left and he made both free throws to tie the game 55-55. Overtime.
Kellis missed the front end of a one-and-one to start the overtime period but they got the ball back and went up 57-55. Derksen came down and tied it back up 57-57.
Martin was fouled but he only made one free throw to go up 58-57 with 2 minutes left but Derksen scored again to take the lead, 59-58.
BJ Freeman scored for Kellis and was fouled but he missed his free throw, 60-59 Kellis. Tony Lillard was fouled for Amphi and he made one free throw to tie the game back up 60-60.
Demitrius Balark put Kellis up 62-60 but Farhat tied it up with 45 seconds left.
Tony Lillard celebrates as he is about to send Amphi to the D-II championship game.
Kellis turned the ball over and Derksen was fouled. He made both free throws to put Amphi back up 64-62 with 13.8 seconds left. Kellis called a timeout with 9.6 seconds left but they attempted a runner that wound up in the hands of Charles Benson.
Benson threw the ball down to Lillard and Lillard was fouled with less than a second left. Lillard made the first free throw to go up 65-62 but missed the second and Kellis tried a desperation shot.
Derksen (San Francisco) made eight of Amphi’s last 14 points while Martin (ASU) was held to only one point in the final moments. Derksen scored 26 while Martin scored 16.
(3) Amphitheater will play in their third straight title game, this time against (4) Peoria after Peoria upset top seed Arcadia 61-45 in the other semifinal game.
The game will be played at noon on Saturday in the Jobing.com Arena. It will also be shown live on Fox Sports Arizona and AIA365.com.
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The Palo Verde girls lost their semifinal match against Seton Catholic 52-27 at Grand Canyon University.
The Titans lose eight girls to graduation: Alicia Jones, Darian Saunders, Brittany Winsett, Amanalicia Vaughn, Ranesha Straker, Jasmine Brown, Adrianna Barrientez and Jasmine Clay. This by far the biggest loss of talent in Southern Arizona if not the state.
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The Green Fields girls were upset in D-IV action and Duncan lost to top seed Tempe Prep on Thursday night in Prescott.
Standouts Cora Beckett and Maya Holzman played in their last game for the Griffins.
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The Desert Christian and Duncan boys both moved on to the D-IV semifinals to be played Friday in Prescott. All four of the top seeds made it to the semifinal round.
Duncan is the three-seed and Desert Christian is the top seed.
BOYS
Division II
Semifinals
Thursday, February 23
Game viewed on AIA365.com
(3) Amphitheater 65, (2) Kellis 62, OT
Championship Game
Saturday, February 24
Fox Sports & AIA.365.com
(3) Amphitheater vs. (4) Peoria, Noon at Jobing.com Arena
Division III
Semifinals
Friday, February 24
(4) Thatcher vs. (1) Holbrook, 8 pm at Jobing.com Arena
Division IV
Quarterfinals
Thursday, February 23
(1) Desert Christian 41, (9) Grand Canyon 39
(3) Duncan 67, (6) El Capitan 59
Semifinals
Friday, February 24
AIA365.com
(1) Desert Christian vs. (4) AZ Lutheran, 7:45 in Prescott
(3) Duncan vs. (2) Phoenix Country Day, 4:15 in Prescott
GIRLS
Division II
Semifinals
Thursday, February 23
(3) Seton Catholic 52, (7) Palo Verde 27
Division IV
Quarterfinals
Thursday, February 23
(6) Joseph City 50, (3) Green Fields 33
(1) Tempe Prep 47, (8) Duncan 33
