Takeaways from Sahuaro’s upset win over Shadow Mountain in 4A semifinals
There was a lot of talk this week about the AIA deciding against using a neutral site for the semifinal basketball games, but the Sahuaro Cougars showed tonight that it didn’t matter where they played, they were going all out.…
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Continue ReadingThere was a lot of talk this week about the AIA deciding against using a neutral site for the semifinal basketball games, but the Sahuaro Cougars showed tonight that it didn’t matter where they played, they were going all out. In a come from behind win, Sahuaro upset Shadow Mountain 64-59 to advance to the 4A girls state championship game taking place this weekend in Phoenix. Here are the top takeaways from the game.
Junior Alyssa Brown is a beast
She’s the team’s top scorer for a reason. She already hit 2000+ career points earlier on in the playoffs, and she has a ton of room for improvement still going into her senior year. In Wednesday’s game against Shadow Mountain, she dropped 29 points in the game, showing she’s hard to stop even against an incredibly strong defense.
Don’t sleep on Alyssa “Lucky” Franke
While Alyssa Brown often steals the show as the team’s leading scorer, don’t sleep on junior Alyssa “Lucky” Franke. She also had a phenomenal game against Shadow Mountain, putting up 18 points in the game. She is a versatile shooter who can hit shots from all over the court and is incredibly strong at the line, where she was 8-for-8.
Lily Watson is a critical player for Sahuaro
Junior Lily Watson may not be the one out there putting up all the shots, but it doesn’t mean she isn’t an integral part to the Cougars’ success this year. Watson isn’t afraid to play aggressive defense and go for the steal, and she also has the second most rebounds on the team behind Brown so far this season, helping her team out immensely.
Sahuaro has no quit in them
Down 12-3 at the end of the first quarter, the team hardly looked phased. They kept on pushing and pushing, playing solid defense and breaking Shadow Mountain down until they were finally able to take the lead in the 4th quarter.
They’re only gonna be stronger next year, too
The team may have nine seniors on it, but they still have an incredibly strong core of juniors that will be returning next year with even more experience and improved skills. They’re going to be one of the top teams in 4A again next year without a doubt.
The 4A state championship game will take place this Saturday, February 29th at 10 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix. Sahuaro will face the top-ranked Seton Catholic Prep in what will certainly be a battle.