Palo Verde’s D.J. Stennis (1) shoots over an Eldorado defender on Thursday in the 4A state semifinals at the Orleans Arena. The Panthers won 68-60.
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009 | 8:46 p.m.
Palo Verde's Davion Pearson (5) dribbles up court against Eldorado on Thursday in the 4A state semifinals at the Orleans Arena. The Panthers won 68-60.
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The Palo Verde boys basketball team had a simple strategy Thursday for its large-school state semifinal game against Eldorado: make sure all 15 players got to play.
Getting the entire roster court time, however, would take a comfortable lead – something Palo Verde had no problem gaining from the opening tip.
Palo Verde led from start to finish as it outscored Eldorado 20-6 in the first quarter to advance to Friday's state championship game with a 68-60 victory.
And, in keeping with the game plan, all 15 players received playing time. A fresh rotation of five players entered the game at the Orleans Arena with 16 seconds left.
"Our goal was to make sure the second and third string guys got to play," Palo Verde senior guard D.J. Stennis said. "We wanted to everyone to be part of this experience."
Moses Morgan led Palo Verde with 23 points, including a 3-pointer with 4:08 to play to give the Panthers a 60-43 lead. Stennis and Davion Pearson each added 12 points.
Palo Verde's intensity in the first half was the difference. It limited Eldorado to 32-percent shooting in the half and led 39-20 at halftime.
"The team that is going to win the state championship is the team that is going to defend," said Palo Verde's first-year coach Jermone Riley who won a state title with Clark in 1993.
Eldorado senior Mitrell Clark scored a game-high 25 points on 7-of-14 shooting and helped the Sundevils stay in the game. They outscored Palo Verde 24-15 in the fourth quarter.
"If we would have played like that in the first half we would have won," Clark said.
Charles White added 17 points and eight rebounds for Eldorado, and Marcus Moreland had seven points.
Palo Verde last won the state basketball crown in 2004. Its players know they are one win away from another title.
"This is where we expected to be all year," Stennis said. "We still have one more game to win."
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