Some quick hitters as the 4A basketball tournaments wind down:
- Although no local teams are involved, you couldn’t ask for a better 4A-II boys basketball final. Phoenix Greenway is undefeated on the season and one win away from capping it off in style. Tucson Santa Rita, meanwhile, was the preseason favorite and returns to the title game for the third straight year. Santa Rita has been runner-up the past two seasons, so it should be an intense matchup.
- While I figured the 4A-I boys tournament would be pretty wide open, it has almost gone exactly as planned. Heading into tonight’s semifinal matchups, there have only been two instances in which a lower seeded team has won a game. And they haven’t exactly been startling upsets. No. 9 Scottsdale Saguaro beat No. 8 Glendale Independence in the first round, and No. 5 Tucson Catalina Foothills nipped No. 4 Vail Cienega in overtime in the quarterfinals.
- The Tempe McClintock girls team took its lumps early in the season, but really got in a groove during region play. That has translated to the state tournament, as the Chargers won on Thursday afternoon to advance to the state title game. Coach Eric Magana never puts too much pressure on his team, and I’m guessing McClintock will get ready for the game with their favorite pastime - Guitar Hero.
- It wasn’t much of a suprise to see three teams from the 4A-II Grand Canyon Region in the girls semifinals. That region was the toughest all season. Glendale Raymond Kellis, though, spoiled the party by beating Flagstaff by a point to advance to the championship game against top-seeded Page.
