- Sahuaro outlasted Cienega 51-50 in a back-and-forth crucial 5A sectional game. Coming into the contest, Sahuaro (15-6) was ranked No. 15 and Cienega (15-9) ranked No. 7. The win ends a two-game skid for the Cougars and helped avenge a 49-47 loss to the Bobcats on the road on January 12. Neither team shot the ball particularly well, but Sahuaro won because of its calling card, the defense. The game was tied 50-50 with 1:35 remaining in the fourth quarter and stayed that way with 58 seconds left. On the next Sahuaro possession, senior Brendan Gary dribbled hard over screens until he had an opening to drive toward the rim. Gary was fouled on the attempt and made 1-of-2 from the charity stripe to give the Cougars a 51-50 lead. With 28 seconds left in regulation, Cienega inbounded the ball and ran a set with some screens to eventual get the ball back in junior point guard Jordan Green's hands as he drove toward the paint. Green was stripped or fouled, depending on who you ask, then, junior Brevon Burnett scooped up the loose ball and put up a shot with 6.8 seconds on the clock. Burnett looked like he was fouled, but there was no call. Senior Alex Muszynski then tossed up a putback with 3.3 seconds on the clock and it bounced on the rim a few times before falling off and the buzzer sounding.
- Sahuaro coach Jim Henry continues to impress with his defensive schemes and game plans, competing in and winning games despite a limited offense, by holding opponents under 1,000 points on the season in 21 games.
- Brendan Gary scored a game-high 18 points, knocking down 50 percent of his shots on the night (7-of-14) within 12 feet, with most coming on runners, putbacks and layups. Brendan knows he's not quite yet a good three-pointer, so he stays with in his range and knows how to draw contact. He was called for a technical foul when he dribbled off Muszynski's foot and was called for a turnover. Gary argued and was called for a quick tech. On the next possession, Muszynski nodded and admitted to Gary it was the wrong call. Gary hit 4-of-7 from the free-throw line, but plays with an all-out hustle that's hard to match. No other Cougar finished in double-figures.
- Sahuaro junior forward DeShawn Engram scored a quick nine points in the first quarter, but then attempted two more shots the rest of the game. He needs to play with more consistently and work for better position in the post. He does show flashes of the player he can be. Could be a monster next season in the paint.
- As a team, Cienega was 4-of-14 from three-point range and shot 38 percent from two-point range on the night. Despite committing just six turnovers on the night compared to 11, five of which were in the fourth quarter, it was Sahuaro that came up with more of the 50/50 balls and hustle plays. Bigs Darius Williams and Burnett combined for 24 points, but no other Bobcat scored more than seven points in the game. Guards Leonard and Green combined for 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting.
- Sahuaro coach Jim Henry continues to impress with his defensive schemes and game plans, competing in and winning games despite a limited offense, by holding opponents under 1,000 points on the season in 21 games.
- Brendan Gary scored a game-high 18 points, knocking down 50 percent of his shots on the night (7-of-14) within 12 feet, with most coming on runners, putbacks and layups. Brendan knows he's not quite yet a good three-pointer, so he stays with in his range and knows how to draw contact. He was called for a technical foul when he dribbled off Muszynski's foot and was called for a turnover. Gary argued and was called for a quick tech. On the next possession, Muszynski nodded and admitted to Gary it was the wrong call. Gary hit 4-of-7 from the free-throw line, but plays with an all-out hustle that's hard to match. No other Cougar finished in double-figures.
- Sahuaro junior forward DeShawn Engram scored a quick nine points in the first quarter, but then attempted two more shots the rest of the game. He needs to play with more consistently and work for better position in the post. He does show flashes of the player he can be. Could be a monster next season in the paint.
- As a team, Cienega was 4-of-14 from three-point range and shot 38 percent from two-point range on the night. Despite committing just six turnovers on the night compared to 11, five of which were in the fourth quarter, it was Sahuaro that came up with more of the 50/50 balls and hustle plays. Bigs Darius Williams and Burnett combined for 24 points, but no other Bobcat scored more than seven points in the game. Guards Leonard and Green combined for 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting.
