D-IV boys hoops: Az. Luthearn repeats in OT over Scottsdale Prep

February 28, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Arizona Lutheran's Jesse Zwick saved his best, or at least what was good enough, for last.

The senior point guard nailed a tough, 8-foot jumper to to send the game to overtime, played gritty defense and sank a couple free throws in the extra period to help the Coyotes complete a come-from-behind 49-47 win over Scottsdale Prep in the Division IV boys title game at Prescott Valley Event Center.

It was the second consecutive championship for coach Doug Meyer and the third for the coach and program in school history. Arizona Lutheran posted a 29-5 record for the year playing in their fourth successive title game. Scottsdale Prep (27-4), which led most of the game and employed a deliberate, patient style on offense, finished runner-up for the second year in a row.

Arizona Lutheran had to battle back from 11 points down late in the third period. Brady Cook, who is headed to college this fall on a football scholarship, scored eight points in the quarter to keep the Coyotes in the game. They battled back to tie at 36  and again at 39 on a three-point play by Cook with 1:05 to play. Scottsdale Prep was smelling victory, however, with 7.7 seconds left after Ben Arqueros' driving layup. That's when Zwick came back down and pulled up strong with a defender in front and nailed the overtime-sender.

"You know from football what a good athlete Jesse is, " Meyer said. "We thought they would slow the game down. We like to run and we have more depth. But they have five guys, five really good guys. It was nice to see our guys hang in and come back."

Cook, the scoring monster in the paint throughout his career, netted 23 points in his final game. He started slowly missing his first four shots, but was instrumental late in tying the game in regulation and helping the overtime advantage with two baskets.

Arizona Lutheran also got a lift in the second half from Josiah Weinstein. Weinstein tossed in 11 of his 13 points in the second half. Weinstein's runner with 51 seconds left in OT gave ALA the lead for good, 46-44.

Brock Petty, who gave Scottsdale Prep its final lead at 43-42 in overtime, led Scottsdale Prep with 17 points. Arqueros added nine and Dan Lybbert checked in with eight points.