Phillip Gibbs

For West Valley Preps

The Dysart Demons played hard but were unable to garner enough stops on the defensive end or muster enough offense to match the formidable Estrella Foothills Wolves.

The Demons (19-8) came into the 4A first round playoff game in Goodyear on a nine-game win streak and a Black Canyon Region title but were unable to make it competitive, on either side of the ball losing 79-53.

The Wolves have seen a great amount of success over the last 10 years coming off a regional title last year.

Estrella Foothills came out with an expedited pace, gaining an early 17-8 lead with just over four minutes played in the game. Early fouls in the first did not help either team, however, the Wolves were able to separate themselves by finishing down low, led by junior power forward Shaun Wahlstrom who finished the game with 23 points.

“With Wahlstrom we wanted to make it difficult for him, meet him early, and push him out of the key. We really wanted to throw some different looks at him, but he was still able to get down on the block,” said Demons head coach Keegan Cook.

Dysart senior Benson Atem took the lead on defending Wahlstom but was caught on some pump fakes and got into foul trouble. He was forced to sit in the third quarter. Atem still managed to put 10 points on the board  in his last game as a Demon.

While Wahlstrom wreaked havoc on the Demons in the paint, fellow senior and Wolves all-time leading scorer Grant Greaball went onto score 40 points from all corners of the floor, making it nearly impossible for the Demons to be effective defensively.

“We really wanted to stay in Grant’s hip pocket and help on screens, but he was able to break loose too many times tonight,” said coach Cook.

Dysart was able to close the lead in the third down only six points, 39-33, with four minutes played in the third quarter by forcing Estrella turnovers and finishing on easy baskets. Senior guard Raphael Alvarado scored seven timely points in the quarter en route to a team high 20.

“We got it close in the third quarter, but Grant Greabell hits a three and get foul. From there he goes on a roll and hits his next three or four. We just weren’t able to match that offensive productivity that he gave Estrella tonight,” Cook said.

Greabell went onto score 23 points in the third and fourth quarter. In that third the Wolves also buckled down on defense and stopped giving the ball away creating separation on the score board as they moved into the fourth.

“Part of our identity as a team is to guard and make it tough to score against us,” said Wolves head coach Rich Gutwein. “We settled in, finished the third quarter well and were able to close down the game with some great possessions and stops,” he added.

Estrella Foothills moves onto play in the quarterfinal round Saturday against No. 1 ranked Shadow Mountain, the two-time defending state champion.

“Shadow Mountain has very good talent, depth, can shoot it, and I think their defense is amazing the way they pressure teams,” said coach Gutwein when asked about their next opponent.

All is not lost for Dysart a team that will see eleven seniors moving on. As has been the case since mid-January, leading scorer and creator Elijah Childs (16.2 ppg, 3.5 apg) did not play.

“We had a great season, we exceeded expectations and we were able to meet most of our goals this season. I want my guys to focus on how successful this season was,” Cook said.

Dysart's Charles Proby (#32) drives to the basket against Estrella Foothills on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018 at Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear. [Jacob Stanek/West Valley Preps][/caption]