Thatcher battles Valley Christian, Westwind for 2A titles

February 18, 2011 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Thacher won tight semifinal games in both boys and girls action Friday to reach the championship games of the 2A state basketball tournament at Tim's Toyota Center in Prescott Valley.

Thatcher topped Scottsdale Christian, 53-49, to advance to the girls championship game against defending champion Valley Christian. Valley  Christian breezed past Pima, 60-38, to earn its shot at a repeat. Thatcher last won a girls hoops title in 2004, the last of four spanning 2001-2004. The 2A girls title game begins Saturday at 4 p.m. at Tim's Toyota Center.

Thatcher's boys team clipped Valley Christian, 72-67, in the semis. Thatcher, which last won a boys basketball title in 1995, faces tournament favorite Westwind Prep, a 56-40 winner over Scottsdale Christian. It will be Thatcher's third visit to the championship game in four years. Westwind Prep was denied a state title last season in its first appearance by Scottsdale Christian. Tip off for the 2A boys final on Saturday is 6 p.m.