There’s
really no other way to put it.
Xavier Prep’s
basketball team needs a lot of work before the 2019-20 season begins.
The Gators
opened the new Section 7 “Team Camp’’ on Saturday (June 22) with a lopsided
loss to Surprise Valley Vista (66-37) and faded in the second half against
Tucson Sabino (46-38) to fall into the loser’s bracket in the eight-team event
at XCP’s Activity Center.
Xavier had a
respectable 5-3 record in the Thunderbird (High) Summer League that wrapped up
its regular season just a few days before.
But it was
no secret that the competition in the Section 7 would be much better. The teams
were selected by the Arizona Basketball Coaches Association.
Valley
Vista, Xavier’s nemesis in recent years in 6A Conference state tournament play,
jumped to a quick 5-0 lead over the Gators and never was seriously challenged
after that.
The Monsoon
made sure they had the upper hand most of the time by employing a stifling
full-court press. Xavier knew how opponents felt the last few seasons when it
used a similar defense. It often had trouble getting the ball past midcourt.
Freshman Mia
Davis scored 14 points to lead the Gators, including a pair of 3-pointers.
The game
against Sabino appeared it might be a different story as Xavier had a
seven-point lead late in the first half. Xavier led by two at the break.
Xavier still
led by two about midway through the second half (the teams played 16-minute
halves), but Sabino went on a 10-0 run to lead by eight with 6:40 left.
Kamryn Doty,
a junior-to-be at Sabino, had an outstanding effort from her guard spot. Xavier
could not stop her as she drove and dished, often getting fouled in the
process. She finished with 15 points, including 10 free throws.
Davis again
led the Gators with 15 points, including three 3-pointers.
Now, less
than 24 hours after its loss to Valley Vista, Xavier must play the Monsoon again
in the loser’s bracket on Sunday (June 23) at 10:30 a.m. Valley Vista dropped
into that spot with a narrow two-point loss to Chandler Seton Catholic.
Depending on the outcome against Valley Vista, Xavier would play another game,
at either 2:15 or 3:30 p.m.
Seton will
meet Sabino in a winner’s bracket game at 8 a.m. Gilbert Perry will face
Phoenix Pinnacle in the other winner’s bracket game at 9:15 a.m.
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