Valley still not over Desert Pines hump

Mike Sims

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005 | 10:43 a.m.

Less than a year ago, Desert Pines beat Valley in the Sunrise girls championship game to move on to the state semifinals.

The Vikings (9-2) tried to avenge their loss Tuesday when they welcomed Desert Pines to their home court, but in spite of 17 turnovers, the Jaguars kept their heads above water and beat Valley 72-61 to improve to 8-6.

Katie Williams and Carmen Deal led Desert Pines. Williams had 24 points, including 18 in the second half. Deal added 14 points and 12 rebounds.

"They didn't really have an answer for us on the inside," Desert Pines coach Jim Richmond said. "They are a good team."

Riding a 9-2 run late in the first quarter, Desert Pines built a 19-12 lead. Valley came back with a run of its own and cut into the lead, making it 23-19 at the end of the first quarter.

"We just came out flat," Valley head coach Barney Holmes said. "I think we have the better team, we just were flat."

In the second quarter, Desert Pines used its height advantage by going inside to Ayoola Weaver. Weaver had six of the Jaguars' 14 second-quarter points, helping them to a nine-point halftime lead.

"They just outrebounded us on the offensive end," Holmes said. "They had a great inside presence, and beat us on the boards. We had the stronger players, but we were playing short-handed."

The Jaguars began to run away with the game in the third quarter, building a 25-point lead on a Tamara Whitaker 3-pointer with less than two minutes remaining.

"Our missed free throws hurt us," said Holmes. "It might have been a bit closer if we would have shot 60 percent from the line."

The Vikings took 18 more foul shots than Desert Pines.

The fourth quarter belonged to Valley. Led by Jenee Webb's 11 points, the Vikings cut the lead to 70-56 with two minutes left to play, but never got closer.

"They never give up," Richmond said. "We have to cut down on turnovers. That's been our problem all year long."

The Valley sideline looks forward to Feb. 1, when the teams play again at Desert Pines.

"We outshot them, but we didn't take advantage," Holmes said. "We will get them back."