Desert Ridge and Mesa High worked their way to championship-game berths in different fashions Tuesday night at the McClintock Holiday Shootout..

Desert Ridge took control in the first quarter on its way to a 77-63 victory over Desert Mountain while Mesa High shrugged off a sleepy opening four minutes and a halftime deficit  to pull away in the third period to a 67-47 triumph over Apollo at McClintock's Doc Zinke Gymnasium. Desert Ridge and Mesa play Wednesday (Dec. 30) at 7 p.m. while Apollo and Desert Mountain square off for third place at 5:30.

Desert Ridge (8-5) raced to a 20-11 lead after one quarter against Desert Mountain (8-5) paced by a 12-point effort from sophomore Timmy Allen. Allen scored 17 points in the first half and finished with a game-high 26. Teammates offered more support in the second half as Keith Holmes (16), Jalen Halrris (11) and Maurice Walton (10) joined Allen in double figures. The 6-foot-5 Allen made 10 of 14 shots from the field, including four threes.

Desert Mountain never really recovered from the early deficit, but did cut the lead to 65-56 with three minutes left. Three-point shooting and free throws gave the Wolves brief hope. Guard George Lee (17 points) sank four threes in the second half and  Adam Rees (21 points) hit a three and six free throws that spurred a small rally.

Mesa (12-2) got a quick dose of Apollo junior guard Holland Woods in falling behind the Hawks, 9-1, in the first four minutes. Woods scored nine points in the first period and 21 in the first half. Mesa rallied for its first sizeable lead (27-22) with three minutes left in the second period, but  Woods scoring prowess put Apollo back on top at intermission (33-31).

Mesa changed its defense in the third period, going more to zone and it served to limit Woods penetration and forced him to take longer perimeter shots. Woods was Woods was just 3 of 14 from the field in the second half.

Mesa got rolling on offense, particularly Drew Hatch. Mesa blitzed Apollo in the third period, outcoring the Hawks 21-3. Hatch scored 11 of his 27 points in that quarter and had a perfec half shooting. Hatch was 6-of-6 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the line. Dj Henderson added 12 points for the Jackrabbits doing his damage inside.

Wednesday's other games at McClintock will feature Brophy (8-6) vs. McClintock (11-3) at 2:30 and the consolation final at 4 between Dobson (8-3) and Marcos de Niza (7-6).