Roundup: Defense against Santa Rita star key in Amphi OT victory
by Multiple Authors on Jan. 07, 2009, under Sports
The Amphi boys basketball team did something Tuesday some of the best high school teams in the country hadn’t been able to do so far this season.
The Panthers held Santa Rita superstar Terrell Stoglin in relative check – he scored 15 points – helping Amphi pull off a thrilling 59-58 overtime upset of the Eagles in a Class 4A Gila Region contest.
“On defense, we rotated two or three guys on Stoglin all night so its hard to really single anyone out,” said Amphi coach Ben Hurley. “Our defense was really a team effort.”
Stoglin had scored 25, 26 and 30 points in three of his team’s four games at last month’s MaxPreps Holiday Classic in the elite National division as he earned all-tournament honors.
Chris Johnson led Amphi with 13 points, including two free throws in the closing moments for the win. Santa Rita (5-7, 1-1) was led by Andre Hatchett’s season-high 22 points.
Amphi, flying under the radar so far this season, improves to 12-4 and 1-0 in Gila Region play.
Sierra Vista Buena 67, Rincon/University 33: Don’t draw the wrong conclusion about Sierra Vista Buena’s dominating win over Rincon/University with D’Che Milburn back in the lineup.
Buena is happy to have Milburn back after returning with his family from overseas, but Milburn wasn’t much needed Tuesday night as the Colts got a combined 39 points from Cole Colvin, Anthony Miller and Devonte Malcolm to defeat host Rincon/University by 34 points.
Colvin and Miller shared scoring honors with 14 points, apiece. Malcolm finished with 11 points.
“This was the first time having our whole team back,” said Miller. “We were just showing what we could do. We can (still) improve a lot.”
After an early 4-0 deficit, Buena took control. The Colts held a 32-17 lead at the half. The lead increased to more than 25 in the third, powered by a 16-4 run.
“Rincon had a tough night,” Buena coach Dave Glasgow said. “We know that it’ll be a fight in Sierra Vista.”
The loss was tough to take for a Rincon team starting to garner attention around the state after jumping out to a 13-2 record heading into Tuesday’s game.
“We missed some shots we needed to make early,” said Rincon coach Rich Utter. “We missed eight free throws the first half and we had 14 turnovers the first half – game is over.”
Gilbert Tafoya led Rincon in scoring with 10 points.
“This game went the same from beginning to end,” Utter said. “They were a step quicker. If they got an open shot, they made it. If we got an open shot, we missed. If they got a free throw, they made it. If we got a free throw, we missed.”
Football
Palo Verde senior Adam Hall on Tuesday was named a second-team All-American by MaxPreps.com.
MaxPreps wrote of the 2008 Tucson Citizen Player of the Year, “Hall’s 38 touchdowns and his ability to succeed almost anywhere on the field will not soon be forgotten in the Grand Canyon state.”
As an example of Hall’s versatility, the MaxPreps honor came at the running back position. He also was invited to play in two postseason all-star games – one as a safety, one as a wide receiver. He is still undecided whether he’ll play offense or defense in college.
For more on high school sports, check out the Grammer School sports blog.
By Ken Brazzle, Geoff Grammer
