Wanted to report on a rivalry game last Friday that pitted two teams that are out of the playoffs, but still fighting for city pride. Talk about a game. Willow gym was packed at the beginning of the JV game. WCHS principal stopped the proceedings after Varsity introductions to have fans slide as tight as possible to let a couple hundred fans into the gym. 300 plus were still left outside the gym and were told at halftime of the Varsity game that they weren't letting anymore fans into the game.
Game started off back and forth and Willow built a lead. Who better to officiate the contest than Doug King and his co-hort Mr. Erb. Willow built a 5 point lead at the half. Twice in the first half, play was halted due to students getting too rowdy, but for the most part it was mostly chants and harmless taunting from the raucous crowd. Third quarter was fast paced and Willow continued to move ahead hitting 5 threes taking a 12 point lead into the final quarter. Valley Vista, behind the play of Jordan Charbonneau and Elijah Dedrick, go on a 9-0 run to pull within three, only to have Willow answer with the exclamation point coming from an alley oop toss to Nick Allen who finished the play with a crushing dunk. Gym literally exploded and it was deafening. Under a minute with Valley in possession down by two and they throw the ball away. Willow comes down, Allen drives, dishes to the 7'2" Festa at point blank range and the layup goes in and out. One last chance for Valley and they move the ball around the zone, the ball finds Valley's best shooter, Jordan Charbonneau, who puts up a three...and it banks in for the go ahead score.
Valley calls timeout, stays aggressive on the ensuing inbounds and steals the ball and Willow has to foul. Charbonneau hits one of two free throws to go up two and Willow gets a good look at a three, but it rims out. Crazy finish to what has become a rather intense rivalry up in Surprise. Valley Vista- 49 Willow Canyon- 47
Game started off back and forth and Willow built a lead. Who better to officiate the contest than Doug King and his co-hort Mr. Erb. Willow built a 5 point lead at the half. Twice in the first half, play was halted due to students getting too rowdy, but for the most part it was mostly chants and harmless taunting from the raucous crowd. Third quarter was fast paced and Willow continued to move ahead hitting 5 threes taking a 12 point lead into the final quarter. Valley Vista, behind the play of Jordan Charbonneau and Elijah Dedrick, go on a 9-0 run to pull within three, only to have Willow answer with the exclamation point coming from an alley oop toss to Nick Allen who finished the play with a crushing dunk. Gym literally exploded and it was deafening. Under a minute with Valley in possession down by two and they throw the ball away. Willow comes down, Allen drives, dishes to the 7'2" Festa at point blank range and the layup goes in and out. One last chance for Valley and they move the ball around the zone, the ball finds Valley's best shooter, Jordan Charbonneau, who puts up a three...and it banks in for the go ahead score.
Valley calls timeout, stays aggressive on the ensuing inbounds and steals the ball and Willow has to foul. Charbonneau hits one of two free throws to go up two and Willow gets a good look at a three, but it rims out. Crazy finish to what has become a rather intense rivalry up in Surprise. Valley Vista- 49 Willow Canyon- 47
