Desert Vista and Mesa High's boys basketball teams punched tickets to the Jackrabbits' Fear the Hop Invitational in very different ways on Wednesday night.

The Thunder, figured to be one of the top contenders this season for the 6A crown, were smooth in beating Hamilton with ease, 77-49, on Wednesday night at Jackrabbit Gym. In the second semifinal, Drew Shumway had himself a game in just one quarter - saving his best for the final period - helping Mesa to a come-from-behind 61-55 victory over Desert Mountain.

Desert Vista and Mesa play for the title on Saturday Nov. 30 at 7 pm at Mesa High. Hamilton (2-1) and Desert Mountain (2-1) play for third place on Saturday at 5:30 p.m

Here's a breakdown of the triumphs by the Thunder and Jackrabbits:

Deserrt Vista-Hamilton: Desert Vista spread the scoring love in a very unselfish display. All five starters scored in double figures. sophomore guard Desean Lecque led with 18 points, Andrew King with a sizzling third period was next with 16 points. Six-10 senior forward Osasere Ighodaro and Tayan Thompson were next with 15 points apiece andjunior guard Malik Mack rounded out the quintet with 12 points. Ighodaro signed earlier this month with Marquette. 

The game was somewaht within reach for Hamiton at halftime, down 39-28, but it turned into a rout quickly in the third quarter as Desert Vista outscored Hamilton 26-9 in the period. King netted 13 points in the quarter sinking four threes. Desert Vista finished making 12 threes and ran its record to 3-0 adding to previous tournament wins over Seton Catholic and Casteel. Hamilton (2-1), playing without its top player - senior Jamar Brown - just out from football - got 20 points from senior guard Christian Valle and 10 from senior guard Omar Knight. Valle connected on five threes.

Mesa-Desert Mountain: Mesa's Drew Shumway took it upon himself to rally Mesa as the final period began with the Jackrabbits down, 39-34, to Desert Mountain. Shumway, a 6-1 junior, scored Mesa's first eight points of the quarter and keyed a 18-7 run putting Mesa in front to stay. Shumway scored 16 points in the quarter and finished with a game-high 22. Senior Tyton Cummard, who sank a three in the early fourth-quarter run, finished with 14 points.Junior guard Steven Cervantes, who led Mesa in scoring the opening half with 10, ended up with 14. Mesa played without two injured players who saw time last year - this year's co-captains Julian Jackson (broken arm) and Dylan Moore. Desert Mountain junior guard Carson Biggs led the Wolves with 19 points.Tony Elliott added eight points and Justice Rogersand Swade Wing chipped in seven points apiece.