Arcadia advances to D-II boys hoops semis, belts Salpointe

February 22, 2012 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Arcadia High moved closer Wednesday night to where its never been before -- a boys basketball championship game.

The Titans broke open a tight game in the third period behind another splendid game from senior Larry Lewis and eliminated No. 8 seed Salpointe, 80-67, in a Division II state tournament quarterfinal game at ASU's Wells Fargo Arena.

Lewis poured in 42 points -- 21 in each half -- as Arcadia (25-6) overcame a 37-35 halftime deficit to reach Thursday's semifinals against Peoria, a 55-53 winner over Betty Fairfax earlier on Wednesday. Arcadia and Peoria play at 7:45 p.m. at  Grand Canyon University Arena.  Salpointe, playing its first season in Division II after being among the big-school ranks prior, closed out the campaign with a 24-8 record.

Arcadia nearly reached the semis last year, but a a 79-78 loss to Tempe High dashed that advancement. If Arcadia defeats Peoria on Thursday it will be the first title-game appearance ever in boys basketball for the school.

"The school's never been to the championship game," Arcadia coach Luke Niebling said. "I'm pretty sure these guys haven't forgotten last year. We have a lot of kids back that want to get there."

Arcadia began playing the style that fits it best midway through the third period when it rallied from two down at intermission to take a 51-43 lead, its biggest of the game, wtih 2:11 left in the period.

Lewis, who did much of his damage in the first half from the perimeter (four 3s in the first half), got much closer to the basket in the third period. Lewis scored 11 points in the quarter -- all via layups-- either in transition or taking his defender to the basket.

"There's no doubt Larry makes this team go," Niebling said. "We like to get in transition either off a defensive rebound or a turnover. Larry hit a lot of outside shots in the first half, but the shots he takes are good ones. We're best when we are in transition."

Several players had a hand in getting Arcadia the lead in the third period. The game was tied a final time at 39 when guard Andrew Naderer sank a 3 to make it 42-39. Forward Terrol Wilson scored on a back-door layup to make it 44-39. A steal and layup by Cole Richardson and a pair of transition baskets by Lewis pushed the margin to 51-43. Naderer finished with 16 points and Wilson chipped in with 10.

Salpointe briefly cut the margin to three late in the third period, but the margin hit double digits with 4:20 to play and the Lancers couldn't make any headway down the stretch.

Salpointe had four players score in double figures -- Talbott Denny (20), Shawn Soelter (17), Cory Carver (13) and Cameron Denson (11). Soelter hurt Arcadia in the first half with his perimeter shooting. He made four 3s and had 14 of his points in the opening half.  Soelter only got off three shots in the second half.

Entering the D-II boys quarterfinals, the top eight seeds had advanced. The semifinals proved true as well with the top four teams advancing (No. 1 Arcadia, No. 2 Raymond Kellis, No. 3 Amphi and No. 4 Peoria).  Division III boys also has a 1-2-34 final four (Holbrook, Gilbert Christian, Snowflake and Thatcher).