Citizen Staff Writer
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL
KEN BRAZZLE
kbrazzle@tucsoncitizen.com
Palo Verde boys basketball coach David Gin said two of his players forgot to bring part of their uniforms to Wednesday’s game against Catalina.
They didn’t forget much else, beating Catalina for the third time this year, 65-59, to advance to Thursday’s Class 4A Gila Region semifinals against Amphi.
“There were a couple of distractions before the game,” Gin said. “We came out and did a pretty good job. We mixed things up and played good defense throughout the game.”
All 4A Gila, Kino and Sonoran region basketball tournament games – boys and girls – are being played at Flowing Wells High School.
Much like the previous games between the two teams, Palo Verde was in control for the most part. Catalina threatened at the start of the third quarter when it scored seven unanswered points to pull to within 33-28, but Palo Verde didn’t let the Trojans get any closer.
“We could never get over the hump,” Catalina coach Jonathon Brown said. “We had to sit two of our starters for missing practice the whole first half. That hurt us. That got us in a hole.
“Palo Verde always seemed to have an answer, especially No. 31 (Dorian Paige). Any time we make a run, he would make a big shot.”
Daniel McIver paced Catalina with 18 points.
Palo Verde displayed a balanced attack, as four Titans scored in double figures. Paige led the way with 26 points. Juan Serrano scored 14 and Adam Hall and Devante Harkins each added 10.
4A Sonoran – Sahuaro 78, Nogales 46: Dustin Quinn scored a game-high 15 points as four players scored in double figures for Sahuaro. The Cougars will play No. 2 Sabino at 4 p.m. Thursday.
4A Kino – Cholla 62, Canyon del Oro 60: Christian Luna led all scorers with 29 points as Cholla moved on to play No. 2 Pueblo on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
Girls basketball
4A Gila – Catalina 42, Sahuarita 21: Jordan Button scored a game-high 20 points as the Trojans cruised. Catalina will play No. 2 Douglas at 4 p.m. Thursday
4A Sonoran – Marana 48, Cholla 30: Alicia Hunter scored a team-high 10 points for Cholla, but it was the Tigers who will move on to play No. 2 Catalina Foothills at 7 p.m. Thursday.
4A Kino – Nogales 62, Sabino 32: The Apaches were led by Prissy Heredia, who scored 15 points while teammates Cassie Alvarez and Olivia Valencia added 10 points apiece. Nogales will play No. 2 Cienega at 5:30 p.m. Thursday
- Staff writer Raymond Suarez contributed to this article.