Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

D-IV hoops title games set to go Saturday in Prescott Valley

February 28, 2014 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


The Division IV boys and girls state championship basketball games have been set.

Top-seeded Scottsdale Prep (27-2) will meet No. 2 seed Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (25-5) in the boys title game on Saturday (March 1) and No. 4 Gilbert Christian (28-5) will face No. 7 St. David (28-3) for the girls crown.

Both games will be played at Tim’s Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. Tipoff for the girls game is at 11 a.m., with the boys game to follow at approximately 1 p.m.

Scottsdale Prep, the top seed for most of the season, used its traditional up-tempo game to run away from No. 4 seed Tucson Desert Christian 63-42 in one semifinal on Friday (Feb. 28). Arizona Lutharan defeated St. Johns by the identical score 63-42.

Scottsdale Christian also converted numerous 3-point shots, as it did in the quarterfinals.

The top four scorers were guards – Ben Arqueros (17 points), Brock Petty and Daniel Lybbert (11 each) and Matt Munsil (10). Zach Malis led Desert Christian with 13 points and Zach Ayers had 10.

Arizona Lutheran has been state runner-up the last two seasons (Glendale Joy Christian in 2013 and Phoenix Country Day School in 2012). This season, the Coyotes hope the third time is the charm under coach Doug Meyer, playing its third different opponent in the title game.

Freshman Lauryn Satterwhite followed up her 25-point performance in the quarterfinals with a 26-point effort to spark a 54-42 triumph over top-seeded Elfrida Valley Union.

St. David advanced with a mild upset 41-36 over No. 3 Scottsdale Salt River, which was the defending champion.

Gilbert Christian won the Class 1A title in 2011 under coach Daryl Young, who leads the team again this season.

St. David last won the crown in 1992 and won it all in 1980, 1981 and 1983.