Cesar Chavez boys’ basketball team will travel to North High School this Friday to play the North Mustangs.

 

With only a couple of weeks left in the regular season Chavez plans to solidify its top spot in the 6A Metro basketball standings with a perfect section record of 7-0. North is looking to improve their section record of 5-2 to climb up the charts.

 

In these two teams’ last matchup on Dec. 15 at Cesar Chavez, it was a battle past regulation. When the Champions gained momentum in the fourth quarter to take the lead, the North Mustangs tied it to take it to overtime tied at 73.

 

Cesar Chavez outscored North in overtime 17-12 and came out on top with the win 90-85.

 

“That overtime showed that if we continue to play with our intensity and our tempo other teams will usually falter,” said Cesar Chavez coach Gary Lee.

 

In that game, the Mustangs had their season high points scored in a single game with 85. Both teams fought until the end with energy and power, and that’s exactly what the Champions intend to do Friday.

 

“We want to play at a high tempo, we want to play a lot of kids and have a lot of possessions,” Lee said. “The teams that come in and plan on only playing six to seven guys, we want to kind of break their spirit as far as with energy. That’s what we do.”

 

With a natural floor leader in freshman point guard TyTy Washington, Lee said he expects Washington to not only score but to find people who are open and make the right plays.

 

Washington scored 11 points against North in their last matchup but has been raising his numbers since. When the Champions traveled to Trevor Browne High School, Washington had a 25-point game with the game winning shot to defeat Trevor Browne 66-64.

 

The Champions’ team captain, senior Isaac Williams, said he has confidence in his team going into this game. The boys have been doing defensive drills and rebound drills to prepare for North.

 

“I’m telling everyone to play hard and focus in,” Williams said.

 

According to AZcentral.com’s high school basketball ranking, Cesar Chavez is ranked No. 8 in 6A with their overall record of 15-8 and a tough schedule.

 

With a win from either Cesar Chavez or North, it will help tremendously for each team's respective seeds in the upcoming playoffs.

 

“We’re going to share the ball and try to score, and then we’re going to try to turn it up on our side also,” Lee said. “One of our strengths is our depth and our energy. All our kids will come in and move their feet, bring energy and that’s what we’re looking for.”