Deer Valley extended its winning streak to eight on Tuesday night. The Skyhawks protected their home court with a 57-32 win against Lake Havasu.

 

The Knights had no answer for the Skyhawks’ full-court press defense, struggling to keep possession of the ball. Lake Havasu did not score their first basket until three minutes into the game.

 

“They’re just long. They’re athletic, a lot of length to them, they’re real quick,” said Lake Havasu head coach Ted Darnell, “they’re a good pressing team. Our kids just weren’t ready for their speed. We don’t face too many teams like that where we’re from.”

 

Meanwhile, the Skyhawks turned those turnovers into easy baskets, getting out to a 21-2 lead after the first five minutes. They eventually cooled down as the first quarter ended with a score of 25-8.

 

“I think we started so well because we came out with a lot of energy,” said Deer Valley senior Ari Danzy. “We forced a few turnovers and capitalized off them early.”

 

Lake Havasu junior Noah Boyd struggled to find help as he scored all eight of Lake Havasu’s first-quarter points. Boyd would finish with a team-high 15.

 

Deer Valley continued their hot start opening up the second quarter on an 11-0 run in four minutes, increasing their lead to 21.

 

The Skyhawks did not let up their defensive pressure after getting out to a lead. The Knights didn’t see their first basket of the second quarter until junior guard Cole Wade made a layup six-and-a-half minutes into the quarter.  The Knights would only add one free throw after that going into halftime down 42-11.

 

Deer Valley’s dominating first half performance is credited to their team defense. On the offensive side of the ball there were stars too. Senior Bryce Davis had 11 points for the Skyhawks.

 

Meanwhile, junior forward Brandon Savage came off the Skyhawks’ bench to score 10 points in the first quarter. He would finish with 14 points, leading the team. Savage, 6-feet-5, was an easy target during fast breaks for multiple slam dunk finishes.

 

“I run the floor, I’m a fast player,” said Savage.

 

Savage brought intensity off the bench.

 

“My teammates told me the last couple games I had were terrible. I wasn’t averaging as much. I just worked hard the next practice,” he continued.

 

Deer Valley starters saw limited action in the second half, letting players like Jackson Leyba get minutes. Leyba provided the Skyhawks with six points.

 

The Skyhawks improved their overall record to 21-2, as well as staying undefeated in 5A Desert West Region play with an 8-0 record.

 

Lake Havasu came into Tuesday’s game with a two-game winning streak after starting off region play on a five-game skid. The Knights’ record drops to 17-10 (2-6).

 

The two teams will meet again next Tuesday night at Lake Havasu with a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.

 

What will the Knights do differently in the next matchup?

 

“We got to break down their press down the middle, said Darnell, “Hopefully, once we break the press, we can slow them down just a little bit because they want to get out and run, and that’s what they did. But they’re the number one team in the state for a reason.”