It’s only a few games into the first tournament of his first season but new head coach David Williams is already adding excitement in his brief tenure at McClintock.

The Chargers are hosting the Turkey Shootout this week, and Tuesday night they put on a show along with Tempe rival Corona del Sol. Despite trailing for nearly the entire game, McClintock rallied in the fourth quarter and pulled out a last-second victory over the Aztecs, 42-41 in the second day of pool play at McClintock's Doc Zinke Gym.

Sophomore Lamaiya Woodberry scored a game high 19 points for McClintock, but none were more important than the final three.

With 11 seconds remaining and the Chargers trailing 41-39, Woodberry got free off a screen, and took the inbounds pass from Jayla Baca near the top of the perimeter, and sank a three pointer that was good for a 42-41 lead with under 10 seconds to play. Corona had time but was unable to get a decent shot away before time expired.

“That felt really good to win like that,” Woodberry said afterward.

“We ran some similar plays my way during the game like that, but I was never able to get a good look like that.”

Woodberry scored 11 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Chargers from a nine point deficit (32-23) in the final eight minutes.

“Lamaiya is a good one and she really pulled through for us in the fourth quarter,” coach Williams said after the game. “The first half was a little slow for both teams but we picked up the pace in the second half. Things are just going to keep getting better from here.”

After leading Desert Vista to an Open State Championship last season, Williams stepped down in April in potential pursuit of college opportunities. Soon thereafter, McClintock coach Sydnie Lengyel announced her resignation as she wanted to focus on her pregnancy. Lengyel led McClintock to a 25-3 record last season and a trip to the quarterfinals.

Williams went 53-8 in two seasons at Desert Vista.

“This is a great place to be right now,”Williams added. “These kids are coming off a great season and there’s a lot of young talent.”

Williams has two transfer players still awaiting confirmation on eligibility for this season.

But Tuesday night it was Woodberry who willed the Chargers to victory.

Corona led by two at halftime (20-18) before appearing to pull away in the third quarter. Sophomore Penelope Williams scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half for the Aztecs, but the team as a whole went cold to start the fourth quarter. 

McClintock pulled ahead 35-34 midway through the fourth quarter before going back and forth to the end. With 21 seconds left and the score tied at 39, Corona freshman Aaliya Van Heel finished a fast break with a layup to put the Aztecs up 41-39 before McClintock called a timeout to set up the winning shot by Woodberry.

Deven Kircher and Ashlee Peters each added eight points for the Aztecs.