Senior Elliot Clark led Gilbert High past Chandler High 78-62 in the semifinals of the 5A-I Fiesta Region boys basketball tournament Wednesday at Gilbert Highland High School.
Clark finished with 31 points, and junior Eric Donzella added 14. Trailing at the half by two, the Tigers made late runs at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth quarter, eventually outscoring the Wolves 47-29 in the second half to put the game out of reach.
Senior Eli Godinez scored 32 points but it wasn’t enough for the Wolves. Gilbert plays Highland in the championship at 7:45 p.m. Friday at Highland.
BOYS BASKETBALL
HIGHLAND 69, HAMILTON 60: Chris Johnson and Matt Carlino had 17 points each for the host Hawks in the semifinals of the 5A-I Fiesta Region Tournament. Johnson scored 13 of his 17 points in the third quarter to help the Hawks pull ahead. Ryan Evans led the Huskies with 18 points.
MARCOS DE NIZA 82, HORIZON 71: The visiting Padres upset the Huskies in the semifinals of the 5A-II Pima Region tournament. Marcos (12-15) had five players score in double figures, led by Harrison Evens, Ryan Bawek and Devin Barnes with 17 points each. Donald Richardson added 12, and David Viel finished with 11. Eric McGaffin led the Huskies (20-8) with 26 points. The Padres will play Pinnacle in the championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at Pinnacle High.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
XAVIER 49, DESERT MOUNTAIN 27: Cassie Keating scored 14 points as host Xavier advanced to the 5A-I Desert Valley Region championship game. The Gators outscored the Wolves 12-2 in the first quarter and never looked back. Xavier will face St. Mary’s in the title game at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Mary’s.
ST. MARY’S 66, MOUNTAIN RIDGE 27: The Knights (16-8) had no problem with the Mountain Lions in the 5A-I Desert Valley Region semifinals. Kioa Lia led St. Mary’s with 12 points.
