Boulder Creek prevails

December 7, 2011

If you heard screams for the AIA to institute a shot clock for Arizona High School basketball, it was most likely coming from Desert Edge High School in Goodyear. Boulder Creek began round one of the Desert Edge tournament against Cactus High School with a 56-34 win. But the story of the game was the four corners, stall offense that Cactus HS felt it needed to have any chance to win.
Cactus coach Roger Lefebvre brought his Division II team into the tournament against the BC Jags and tossed the proverbial white towel on to center court. Obviously sensing they were severely overmatched and in need of divine time clock intervention.
After Cactus took a 2-0 lead and got the ball back it was an offensive scheme that would make NCAA, pre shot clock, University of North Carolina Tar Heel coach Dean Smith proud. The ghost of Phil Ford permeated the gymnasium as Boulder Creek contended with a Cactus offense that spread the court and held the ball until forced by the Boulder Creek defense to act. As the first quarter ended the Jags fell behind 9-11.
As the second quarter began Cactus continued in stall mode. At one point Cactus held the ball for over 2 minutes without a single pass. NOTHING. Everyone standing (trust me, I am not making this up). Then, fueled by a desire to play “basketball”, Boulder Creek’s defense attacked the guard play near mid court. The Jags superior quickness and defensive intensity created the turnovers that coach Lefebvre feared all along. By halftime the score tilted to the Jags favor 19-11.
The third quarter saw the Jags lethargic on both offense and defense. Boulder Creek’s on-ball, man-to-man defense gave up far too many dribble drive penetration scoring opportunities. The slow pace of play continued. BC turnovers and missed shots allowed Cactus some measure of respectability by allowing the Jags to increase the lead to “only 10.”
As the fourth quarter progressed, Boulder Creek extended the lead to 16 points. Cactus tried to full court press but it was too little, too late. The Jags did a great job breaking the press for easy baskets. They continued to extend the lead, finishing with a final score victory of 56-34.