The Paradise Valley boys basketball team must not have been paying attention when it read about "The Tortoise and the Hare" in younger days. The host Trojans raced to an early lead and then hung on in a 67-63 win over Mesa on Tuesday.

Twelve minutes into Mesa's semifinal game against Phoenix Brophy, Lee Cummard was scoreless and the vaunted Jackrabbits defense was being torched.

Rolando Rhymes fancies himself a Division I prospect once he leaves high school.

December 18, 2004

Coach Shawn Lynch insists defense has been a point of emphasis for his Mesa Jackrabbits this boys basketball season.

December 19, 2004

Jahii Carson is good enough to take on much of the scoring load for the Mesa boys basketball team.

It sounds easy.

Mesa High senior forward Aaron Fuller had Michigan assistant coach John Mahoney in town Wednesday to watch the Jackrabbits’ pregame before they journeyed to Mesa Dobson for their East Valley Region game with the Mustangs.

The holiday boys basketball tournaments have wrapped up, and it’s time for the second half of the power points schedule. Before we move ahead, here is a look at the notable teams, players and moments from the first two months of the season:

With a little inspiration and a renewed focus after halftime, fourth-seed Mesa erased a lackluster first half against a dangerous city rival.

Mesa High boys basketball coach Shane Burcar would have been as interested as the average fan to watch his forward, Aaron Fuller, do battle against Phoenix Pinnacle standout forward Taylor Rohde Monday afternoon.

It certainly didn’t take long for Waylen Towns to get used to this point guard thing. The Marcos de Niza junior scored 20 points in a 69-56 victory over Mesa on Friday to lead the Padres into the championship game of the Horizon Invitational.

If the preseason rankings play out, the 5A-I final four ought to be good.

Mesa Red Mountain overcame one sizeable deficit early in Thursday’s game with East Valley Region rival Mesa High.

In his first time at a big arena for the 5A boys basketball playoffs, Mesa senior point guard Jahii Carson wasn't intimidated in the least.

Nathan Murphy often handles 3-point shooting for second-ranked Mesa Mountain View. But since Murphy was sidelined Tuesday night after suffering a concussion during the final minutes of Monday’s practice, someone else had to step up in that department.

Boys Basketball

Lee Cummard thought he had blown his last chance at a state title in one silly moment. With Mesa leading Desert Vista by 12 points in Thursday’s 5A boys championship game, the Jackrabbits senior chose to contest a pass on the perimeter and picked up his fourth foul with 7:29 to play.

Rolando Rhymes called it "taking the air out of  the ball," and Mesa can attest to what Rhymes meant.

Region titles are not synonymous with Skyline High School. In fact, the school has never claimed one in any sport since it opened in 1999.

  It’s natural to be optimistic this time of year if you’re a winter sports coach. Games are just beginning, and for those teams that have significant turnover in personnel, there’s some added anxiety.

Athlete of the week: Taylor Rohde - The 6-foot-8 senior center averaged 26.4 points and four assists per game, helping Phoenix Pinnacle to the championship of the Paradise Valley Invitational. Rohde signed a letter of intent earlier this month with ASU.

February 23, 2005