D-IV hoops: Az Lutheran-Scottsdale Prep in boys title rematch

February 28, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Defending champion Arizona Lutheran and last year's runner-up Scottsdale Prep battle Saturday in an encore meeting for the Division IV boys basketball title while the girls title matchup between Phoenix Christian and Valley (Sanders) defied conventional pre-tournament thinking.

Phoenix Christian, the No. 8 seed and No. 3 Valley (Sanders) begin the D-IV finals at 11 a.m. at Prescott Valley Event Center. Phoenix Christian's road hasn't been easy and been filled with tight games. The Lady Cougars won their three games on the road to the final by a combined 13 points. Their latest win was Friday afternoon, a 42-36 victory over No. 4 Phoenix Country Day. Phoenix Christian won its second round game by six over Scottsdale Prep and  knocked out defending champ Gilbert Christian by one in the quarterfinals. A 20-point, 10-rebound effort from Dinah Watson powered Phoenix Christian past PCD in the semis. Watson, a senior, is averaging 18 points a game thus far in the tournament.

Valley has had little problem on its path to the final the Lady Pirates  have wins of 44, 26 and 17 over Baboquivari, Patagonia and Arizona Lutheran, respectively. Tamara Nez tallied 16 points in leading Valley past Arizona Lutheran in the semis. Valley lacks size, but has an up-tempo style foes haven'e been able to match or slow thus far.

In the boys final set for a 1 p.m. tip at PVEC, the odds-on favorites to reach the final haven't disappointed with a trio each of double-digit triumphs. No. 2 Arizona Lutheran bested Pima 64-39 in the semifinals while top-seed Scottsdale Prep blasted Baboquivari, 73-30. Arizona Lutheran will be playing in its fourth consecutive title game and looking for its third-ever title.

Scottsdale Prep brings a 19-game winning streak to the title game and Arizona Lutheran has won its last 21 in a row. Arizona Lutheran is led by 6-foot=5 post Brady Cook, who warmed up for the final with 21 points in the win over Pima. Scottsdale Perp counters with a smaller lineup that loves to get up and down. Scottsdale Prep nearly had all five starters in double figures in beating Baboquivari. Brock Petty tallied 25 points to lead the way. Nick Smith and Ben Arqueros pace the Spartans.

Arizona Lutheran won last year's final, 73-65, building a big lead through three quarters and holding off a fourth-period rally. Cook had 14 points in that game and returnees Nick Smith and Ben Arqueros combined for 38 points for Scottsdale Prep.