No. 3 Sahuaro’s season came to an end in a tough 64-55 4A quarterfinal loss against No. 6 Scottsdale Saguaro.
Sahuaro (23-4) couldn’t make a basket, starting the game going one and done on most of its offensive possessions and also committed turnovers, which led to an early 13-0 lead for Saguaro (18-10).
Sophomore Isaac Teasley scored the Cougars’ first points of the game with 3:45 left in the quarter.
Sahuaro railled back, getting sophomore Derris Biggs touches in the paint, scoring six, bringing the Cougars within seven after the first quarter.
Senior guard and Sahuaro’s focal point, Cisco Llamas, didn’t make his first shot from the field until 6:02 remained in the second quarter.
For the rest of the quarter, the Cougars came storming back, securing stops, forcing turnovers, and grabbing rebounds for second-chance opportunities. The strong second quarter led by Llamas, Teasley, and Biggs, helped Sahuaro go into the half with a 26-21 lead.
The third quarter turned into a back-and-forth matchup with the Sabercats getting the better of that quarter. Sophomore Pierce Harrington missed a jumper, battled both the Llamas brothers, got his own rebound, and made the most of his second chance opportunity, making a basket, giving Saguaro a 46-35 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Llamas came alive, making clutch shot after clutch shot, bringing the Cougars to within three. The effort wasn’t enough, Scottsdale Saguaro pulled away again by taking away the Cougars opportunities at second-chance points and making key baskets on their side of the court.
Scottsdale Saguaro travels to No. 2 Phoenix Arcadia for a semifinal Monday night. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
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