D-IV hoops: Phoenix Christian girls win first title

February 28, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Where did Dinah Watson go when her team needed her most?

Well, nowhere. Watson scored 10 consecutive points in a minute-and-a half stretch of the fourth quarter to blunt a Valley (Sanders) rally and propel No, 8 Phoenix Christian  to a 67-61 victory in the Division IV girls championship game at Prescott Valley Event Center.

It's the first-ever title in a girls sport for Phoenix Christian (30-5). Phoenix Christian won its four tournament games by a total of 19 points so its margin for error was small. in bringing the initial girls banner to the school. Valley made it tough in the final period for PC, cutting the lead to four with 1:10 left, but couldn't get over  a 15-point deficit it had to make up in the third period.

Watson, who finished with a game-high 28 points, seemed in hibernation in the third period. She made one basket in the quarter and didn't figure much at all in other facets.

"She was a little tired and I hoped not out of gas," Phoenix Christian coach Bruce Consier said. "She helped us get past the run they were making."

Watson calmly and matter-of-factly sank two threes, a runner and a layup in transition to boost a 50-47 lead to 60-50 with 5:05 to play.

Ashley Bliss added 10 points for Phoenix Christian and all of its starters tallied at least seven points. Valley (28-4), which was seeking its first girls hoops title as well, got 17 points from Tamara Nez, 14 from Terri Mitchell and 13 from Latisha Nastacio. All three players combined to hit the eight 3-pointers the Lady Pirates connected on.