Desert Pines duo the real deal against Gators

Jeff Neubert

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005 | 9:18 a.m.

Desert Pines coach Jim Richmond had a goal in mind defensively against Green Valley star Jabrenta Hubbard, and his team hit that goal on the dot.

"We wanted to hold her to 15 points or less," Richmond said after his team's 59-51 upset win against the Gators on Tuesday in a Sunrise Region girls' quarterfinal game.

Richmond said his plan was to limit Hubbard's opportunities to shoot, and the Jaguars did that.

Meanwhile, Green Valley had no answers for Desert Pines' terrible twosome of Katie Williams and Carmen Deal. Williams and Deal dealt the decisive blows for the Jaguars, though, with Deal blocking a shot at the end of regulation to force overtime, and Williams scoring eight of her 20 points in the extra session.

Deal, who led all scorers with 30 points, including 21 in the first half, fought through a second-quarter back injury to help carry Desert Pines into the semifinals. The Jaguars led 29-25 at the half, but Green Valley ripped off a 13-0 run and outscored the Jaguars 17-6 in the third.

The Jaguars reversed their fortunes in the fourth quarter, holding the Gators to five points.

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