Knights Close Regular Season, Earn #1 Seed

Phoenix - Saint Mary's boys basketball continued to display its depth in winning 2 games this past week over Prescott and Tempe. The Knights have yet to have a complete roster since mid January as they have been battling injury and illness. "The only thing we predicted was the unpredictability," said head coach Damin Lopez, "we have 10 guys on this team who we trust whole heartedly and each one of them has had to step in and fill a void at some point this season."

The Knights traveled to Prescott and battled a tough, scappy team in the Badgers. With the Knights ahead 4-2, Prescott hit a 3 from the top of the key to make the score 5-4. The 'Blue Crew' student section went bananas and started to chanting 'over rated' to the Knights. Undeterred, the Knights rattled off a 26-3 run in the last 4:45 of the first quarter to take a 30-8 lead. Foune Doucoure and Jeremiah Cherry established their dominance from the outset, getting put backs and finishing inside off breaks and post moves. In the quarter Doucoure scored 13 points and grabbed 5 rebounds while Cherry added 8 points and 4 rebounds. "We felt like we had an advantage inside and the guards did a great job of finding us, but I also think that Bear and I did a good job of controlling the boards," said Doucoure. 

The Knights continued to force the tempo on the Badgers and built a lead up to as many as 40 before settling in on a 92-56 win. Doucoure would finish with 20 points and 13 rebounds, Isaac Mendoza added 13, Cherry finished with 12 points and 9 rebounds, Seydou Tamboura had 12, and Garrison Phelps and Styles Phipps added 10 each as the Knights balanced attack resulted in 6 guys in double figures. Phipps added 9 assists which tied him for the team lead with Keiren Brown who in addition to his 9 assists also had 6 points.

Later in the week, the Knights would complete the Skyline Region sweep of Tempe, beating the Buffaloes 69-60 celebrating Senior Night and the wonderful accomplishments of Keiren Brown, Isaac Mendoza and Brendan Lillis. "We were happy to get the win for the Seniors tonight, these 3 have been such a strength for our program and truly represent what is means to be a Knight," said Lopez. 

The Knights played tough defense throughout the first half and early in the second half got up by as many as 24 points. Tempe did not go quietly into the night however as a barrage of 3's and Knight offensive miscues saw the Buffaloes climb back to within the single digit deficit. "We were not pleased with the way we ended, I think everyone lost a little focus and did close out the game like we normally do," said Brown, "but nevertheless, we still got the win and I just truly can't believe these past 4 years have flown by like they have. I'm grateful to all my teammates, coaches and teachers that I've had the past 4 years, this place is special."

Brown recorded the only triple double of the year for the Knights as he had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Isaac Mendoza and Foune Doucoure added 13 each, and Jeremiah Cherry added 12. 

The win ended the regular season for the Knights with a 16-1 record and earned them the #1 seed in the 4A State Tournament Sweet 16. "Most teams don't want the #1 seed heading into the playoffs, but we think its a great honor," stated Mendoza, "we worked hard and together on this and we believe it to be a great honor. But we know there is still more work to be done and we are going to focus on one game at a time."

The Knights will host Notre Dame Prep on Wednesday, March 10th at 7 p.m.

Coming Up:

Wednesday, March 10th vs. Notre Dame Prep, at Saint Mary's, game to be live streamed on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/f0Jpnbde_C8