PHOENIX — After two tough losses in a row, the Arcadia High School Titans battled back for a win over the Paradise Valley Trojans on Wednesday night.

 

Arcadia overcame a slow start and broke away from the Trojans during the last two quarters, and eventually went on to win by a final score of 53-49.

 

The Trojans had the home court advantage, but were unable to answer the accurate three-point shooting and reactive defense of the Titans, which proved to be the difference in the game.

 

Trojans head coach Cory Bardet applauded Arcadia for their strong defense and suggested that nerves may have played a part in the loss. Bardet said his team is best in transition, but Arcadias' quick reactions made it impossible for his team to get in system.

 

“I think we were just too amped up for Senior Night, got a little bit outside of ourselves and didn’t do the things we normally do well,” Bardet said. “But we don’t have any excuses, they played a great game tonight.”

 

Arcadia came out fired up after the half and went on a 7-0 run within the first two minutes of the third quarter, creating the largest point spread of the game with a score of 37-28. Earlier this season, Paradise Valley defeated the Titans by 13 points.

 

Stephan Danford, head coach of Arcadia, said his team was successful unlike the last time these two rivals went head to head because they were more consistently making their shots.

 

“In the last game, we had the same number of two-point shots they did, the same number of free throws, we outrebounded them, but they made most of their shots and we didn’t. Today we shot very well,” Danford said.

 

Arcadia managed to stop PV from taking the lead for the majority of the game, but once one team went on a run, the other bounced right back.

 

But it was senior star Aidan Weber of the Titans that pulled Arcadia out of the endless back and forth action.

 

“He’s a beast,” Danford said.

 

Weber racked up a total of 21 points and seven rebound. Weber had a slow start to the game, uncharacteristic of the Titans' leading scorer, but managed to get the game under control and find his rhythm in the second half.

 

“After losing two games in a row this past week, we came out with a fire we’ve never had before,” Weber said. “I just kicked it on in the second half and shots started to fall.”

 

Danford said his entire team seemed unsaully hyped and eager to get a win under their belts after losing two games in a row.

 

“Those two loses probably did more good than harm, it got our players attention,” Danford said. “If there is such a thing as a good loss, then those were good losses.”

 

Danford hopes this big conference win will fire up his players and that their confidence will carry over to their upcoming games.  The Titans face the physical Campo Verde Coyotes on the road this Friday.