Photos: Salpointe runs by Mesquite 59-49 for the 4A state championship, girls basketball
The top seeded Lancers took the lead and held on late to drop the two-seed Wildcats, in the 4A state championship, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Aryanna Kollasch (22), left, and Jayci Nelson (2) hug Taliyah Henderson (3) after the Lancers dropped Mesquite in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Taliyah Henderson (3) puts up a shot against Mesquite in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024. Salpointe led almost from the start in their 59-49 win.
Salpointe's Allison Even (24) gets stopped by Mesquite's Kahlia Gonzales (11) in the third quarter of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
The Salpointe's Lancers hoist the 4A trophy after defeating Mesquite 63-61 in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Taliyah Henderson (3), top and Jayci Nelson (2) against double team Mesquite's Navae Guidry (10) during the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Taliyah Henderson (3) gets stuffed on a drive by Mesquite's Navae Guidry (10) in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Ajong Lual (20) takes a foul from Mesquite's Navae Guidry (10) while lofting a shot from the paint in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Allison Even (24) hooks a shot over Mesquite's Kahlia Gonzales (11) in the quarter of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Allison Even (24) forces her way into the lane through Mesquite's Lucy Fisher (3), left, and Navae Guidry (10) in the quarter of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's bench charges the court in celebration as time runs out on their championship game against Mesquite, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Ava Dagnino (15) gets hugged in the scrum at mid-court as the Lancers celebrates a 4A title after their win over Mesquite at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's head coach Joseph Luevano huddles with the Lancers before they take the floor against Mesquite for the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Sidney Anderson (33) strips Mesquite's Pippa Krieger (13) of the ball in the first quarter of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Hannah Williams (30) throws herself on a loose ball just ahead of Mesquite's Navae Guidry (10) in the first quarter of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Taliyah Henderson (3) knocks away a pass intended for Mesquite's Lucy Fisher (3) in the first quarter of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Sidney Anderson (33) gets a hand on the ball around Mesquite's Jensen Cowart (14) in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Hannah Williams (30), left, Sidney Anderson (33) and Hannah Williams (30) throw up a wall to stop Mesquite's Navae Guidry (10) during the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Mesquite's Pippa Krieger (13), left, and Salpointe's Taliyah Henderson (3) race for control of a loose ball in the quarter of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Hannah Williams (30), left, and Mesquite's Navae Guidry (10) try to get a hand on a loose ball during the 4A championship game, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Jayci Nelson (2) fens off Mesquite's Pippa Krieger (13) while chasing down the ball during the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Salpointe's Ava Dagnino (15) gets hit from behind by Mesquite's Navae Guidry (10) while trying to trigger a break in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
High school basketball: Salpointe Catholic shines on state's biggest stage, secures 2nd 4A girls championshipTop-ranked Salpointe Catholic defeated No. 2 Gilbert Mesquite 59-49 in the Arizona Class 4A title game Thursday in Phoenix, giving coach Joseph Luevano’s squad its second championship in the last three seasons.