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It was the type of game with more tie ups and turnovers than made field goals.
So it is no surprise that Shadow Ridge girls basketball used its defense to score the final six points of the game thanks to its pressure defense.
Or that Willow Canyon used tight halfcourt defense to shut down the Stallions' chance to tie or take the lead in the final five seconds. The Wildcats forced a rushed shot to hold off the Stallions 39-37 Feb. 23 at Shadow Ridge.
"We knew defensively it was going to be a battle. They're a good team. They're scrappy and they fight," Willow Canyon coach Brandon Scholtz said. "We're young. We only have three girls that really had varsity experience before this year. These girls just find a way."
Senior wing Elena Zamora and junior guard Makayla Ramirez both scored two baskets as the visitors broke a 29-29 tie after three quarters, gaining a 10-2 advantage in the first five minutes of the fourth. Sophomore center Dakota Gilbertson's putback made it 39-31 Wildcats.
With time running short and foul trouble now less of a concern than the score, Shadow Ridge coach Jim Nyman signaled for a full-court press. Three turnovers forced set up layiups by senior Paris Whitlock, junior Julianna Jordan and junior Halle Bryan.
"I was going to press earlier butthree of the girls out there had four fouls. I couldn't chance it quite yet. Obviously it threw them for a wrench," Shadow Ridge coach Jim Nyman said. "We got three quick buckets but then we missed some free throws and that hangs with a kid."
Shadow Ridge (4-9) seemed in control for the first 20 minutes of the sloppy game, leading 11-8 after one and 21-17 at halftime.
Junior guard Kelsey Ericksen led the home team with 11 points. Jordan grabbed eight rebounds to go with six points, while senior Jaydnn Curry added seven points and five boards.
Injuries have decimated the Stallions, who played freshman guards Shaelyn Antony and McKinzley Jones.
"We were short a couple players tonight and that hurt us," Nyman said. "That's affected our continuity. Our freshmen played good defense. We just struggled making shots we normally make."
Willow Canyon (10-1) struggled to score early other than Ramirez, who led all players with nine points at halftime and 13 overall.
Down 28-22, the visitors relied on reverve post players Gilbertson and junior Lauren Fox to get them a lead on the offensive glass. The 6-2 Gilbertson scored a pair of putbacks during a 7-0 run and finished with 8 points and 5 boards, while Fox scored inside to grab a 29-28 lead.
"They did the same thing when we played North Canyon on Friday. If it wasn't for our bigs, we don't take either of those wins," Scholtz said. "We have two new assistant coaches this year and both of them really work their butt off with our bigs every day. They battled for defensive and offensize boards, or even just tipped the ball to keep it alive."
The coach said he's particularly thrilled this season was restored. Not much was expected from this fairly young team..
While the 5A Central Region has not provided much of a challenge, a 10-1 record, No. 11 ranking in 5A have been a thrill ride for the team.
"It's a blast. Whether we were 10-1 or 1-10 I think I'd enjoy it just as much. There's not a girl on the team that plays for themselves. Everything we ask them to do, it's that quick," Scholtz said. "I'm getting married April 22. All 12 of them will be sitting at my wedding. I'm so glad they got a season. They deserve it with all the effort they've put forth."
Richard Smith Associate Editor | Surprise & West Valley Preps @rsmithYWV
Richard Smith has been with Independent Newsmedia since 2016, and worked at a Sun City-based news outfit covering the Northwest Valley for 22 consecutive years.
An NAU alum and lifelong Arizona resident, Richard began as a copy editor and page designer at Surprise Today and the Daily News-Sun, then rekindled his love of sports writing by taking the reins on West Valley Preps in 2008.
For most of the mid-2010s he was the Surprise editor and West Valley Preps reporter. Now he’s the West Valley Preps Editor and Surprise Associate Editor.
As COVID restrictions slowly lift, Richard is cautiously optimistic he will visit book stores, football fields and gyms again this fall.
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