Girls hoops: Chaparral reaches Nike TOC Gold semis

December 20, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Three Arizona schools tried to advance to the semifinals of the Nike Tournament of Champions Gold Division on Saturday, but the only one to accomplish that was sharp-shooting Chaparral.

Chaparral shrugged off a a brief slow start and went on bury Cherry Creek HS (CO), 61-41, at Campo Verde High School. Chaparral looked as though it would not total double-digits in the first period, but the start of a game-changing run late in the stanza said otherwise. Down 8-5 with a couple minutes left, the Lady  Firebirds produced a 16-0 run to take a 21-10 lead a couple minutes into the second quarter. A trio of three-point field goals -- two by Kayla Shaw and one by Amber Nacim keyed the run. Chaparral (8-4) took a 28-13 lead to halftime and put the outcome to bed in the third period outscoring Cherry Creek, 22-9.

Shaw enjoyed an offensive game, connecting on five 3s and finishing with a game-high 25 points. Summer Menke added 11 points and Maddie Vick and Addie Buzas eight points apiece. Chaparral faces Huntington Beach (CA), which knocked off Xavier Prep, 58-40, on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Campo Verde HS.

Xavier experienced what Chaparral did, only in reverse, falling to Huntington Beach, 58-40. The Gators jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first four minutes. Xavier didn't score again for a little more than eight minutes and found itself trailing at halftime, 27-20. The Gators situation turned worse in the third period as they managed only six points and trailed 41-26 with a quarter to play. Huntington Beach continued to build its lead on a pair of three-point field goals and a three-point play. Xavier trailed 54-30 with four minutes left. Alana Kelley led Xavier (9-2) with 12 points.

The best game of the three Gold Division quarterfinals invoving Arizona schools was the Fairmont Prep (CA)-Valley Vista matchup. Fairmont Prep prevailed in double overtime, 80-79. Valley Vista got a stellar performance from sophomore guard Taylor Chavez, who scored 40 points. Chavez connected on six threes her 12 baskets and sent the game to overtime with one trey and to double overtime with another. Teammates Kiara Edwards chipped in with 17 points and Elis Ozgur added 10 points. Tristen Rollon led Fairmont Prep with with 31 points and Cierra Hall had 26 Hall had eight of her 26 in the second overtime.

In other Gold Division games involving Arizona schools, Red Mountain and South Mountain won in consolation play while Corona del Sol lost. Perry and Westview won quarterfinal games in the Diamond Division. In the Mike Desper Division Hamilton lost in the championship quarters and Mesquite won in the consolation quarters. In Black Division games involving Arizona schools, Gilbert and Liberty advanced to the championship semifinals with wins. Basha defeated Betty Fairfax in the consolation bracket and Chandler also lost in the consolation bracket. Arizona schools were 7-8 in games on Saturday.

Here are Arizona schools' matchups for Monday Dec. 21:

DIAMOND DIVISiON -- 10 a.m. championship semifinal -- Westview vs. Mullen (CO) at Kroc Center ; 11:30 a.m. championship semifinal -- Perry vs. Rosary (CA) at Kroc Center. GOLD DIVISION -- 10 a.m. consolation -- Red Mountain vs. St. Paul (CA) at Campo Verde; 11:30 a.m. consolation -- South vs. Hermiston (OR) at Campo Verde; Consolation -- Wilson (OR) vs. Corona del Sol at Kroc Center; 1 p.m. -- Consolation -- Valley Vista vs. Lutheran (CO) at Kroc Center; Xavier vs. Cherry Creek (CO) at Kroc Center.  5:30 p.m. - Championship semifinal - Chaparral vs. Huntington Beach (CA) at Campo Verde. BLACK DIVISION -- 10 a.m. consolation -- Basha vs. Springfield (OR) at Mesquite; 1 p.m. consolation -- Chandler vs. Warren (CA) at Campo Verde; 2:30 p.m.  consolation -- Betty Fairfax vs. Indio (CA) at Campo Verde; 4 p.m. championship semifinal -- Gilbert vs. Centennial (CA) at Mesquite; 5:30 p.m. championship semifinal -- Liberty vs. Alameda (CA) at Mesquite. MIKE DESPER DIVISiON -- 10 a.m. consolation - Hamilton vs. Sacramento (CA) at Highland; 5:30 p.m. consolation -  Mesquite vs. Alamitos (CA) at Highland.