Jaguars Advance

The Boulder Creek Jaguars took another big step in their championship quest by winning their first round playoff game at home against familiar rival Deer Valley by a final score of 49-34. Although a fifteen point victory appears to be a comfortable margin of victory this game was a hard fought win. Deer Valley exploited their familiarity with the Jaguars playing a deliberate slow pace on offense and aggressive lock down defense from the opening tip. Deer Valley’s defensive strategy was to contest every shot and not allow the Jags perimeter players to get good looks at the hoop. Fortunately for the Jaguars their defense was just as stingy and it kept them in the game. Boulder Creek struggled to adjust and their usual offensive efficiency was a first half casualty as they headed for intermission trailing by 8 points (20-12). The Jags seemed frustrated by the pace of the game and the unusually low offensive output and they knew they had adjustments to make in the second half. Things turned around in the 3rd quarter as the Jags hit some clutch shots and started to pile up points from the free throw line. Playoff basketball is expected to be a challenge and playing an opponent for the fourth time this season was another cause for concern. The Skyhawks game plan made the Jags dig deep to get this win. But dig deep they did, playing hard while showing resiliency and heart as they found a way to win.

Boulder Creek was lead by freshman All Region Honorable Mention Josh Braun with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Senior Alex Dykhuizen, a First Team All Region selection, chipped in with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Ryan Crane, the 2010 Northwest Region Player of the Year, added 9 points but was hounded all night and limited to 2 of 4 shooting from the field. Second Team All Region selection Ryan Zettle (5 assists) and sophomore All Region Honorable Mention Weston Newell applied constant defensive pressure to the Skyhawks’ perimeter players, while Crane, Braun, Dykhuizen, Watson and All Academic All Region selection Joe Simpson did the same with their defensive assignments. It was a good test for the Jags and to keep advancing they will need to keep their defensive intensity and realize that the will to win that they displayed in the second half is a powerful force that needs to continue.

By virtue of the win the Jags improve to 25-2 overall and move to the 5A2 Elite 8, facing Desert Mountain on Saturday night in the second round of the state playoffs. These teams met in early December and the Jags came away with an 11 point win. Both teams have come a long way since that initial meeting and an intense game is anticipated. Because of their #1 seed Boulder Creek has the luxury of playing the second round contest at home and another raucous crowd is expected to be on hand. The winner of Saturday’s game advances to the final 4 and will play a semi-final game at Arizona State’s Wells Fargo Arena next Tuesday afternoon.