PHOENIX - A happy corollary of this style of an Open Division format was on display throughout a drama-filled 4A boys basketball final Thursday night.
Two high school teams full of neighborhood kids and gritty guards, and light on sure-fire Division I college players battled into overtime for the first state title of their lifetimes. Tucson Sahuaro last won a basketball title in 2001 while Deer Valley was looking for its first trophy in five finals trips.
Sahuaro did not make it easy, erasing a six-point defecit in the final 2:31 of regulation to force overtime, but the Skyhawks brought home their first gold ball. Senior guard Travis Vasquez's three opened the overtime scoring and back-to-back baskets by senior forwards A.J. Ajawin and Tyler Wenk built a 60-55 lead Deer Valley nursed into a 63-61 win.
