Photos: Sahuaro loses to Deer Valley 63-61 in overtime in the 4A title game, boys basketball
The Cougars pushed the Skyhawks to overtime on a last second shot but fell in the extra period 63-61 in the boys 4A state title game, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Nick Ponds (21), top, and Deer Valley's Teddy Johnson (21) scramble for the ball in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Cisco Llamas (0), left, and Bryce Marine Bess (4) put the double team on Deer Valley's Sergio Gonzales (0) along the sideline in the fourth quarter of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Jamaal McCraney (1) and Bryce Marine Bess (4) hug after the Cougars fell to Deer Valley in overtime of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Jamal Ali (30), left, and Bryce Marine Bess (4) come at Deer Valley's Tyler Wenk (32) from both sides in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Deer Valley's AJ Ajawin (23) comes in from behind to swat away a shot from Sahuaro's Cisco Llamas (0) during the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Cisco Llamas (0) tries to get control of a loose ball near mid court against Deer Valley in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Deer Valley's Simon Gonzales (1) picks up a foul stopping a shot from Sahuaro's Bryce Marine Bess (4) in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Deer Valley's Carter Guggenberger (40) misses a steal attempt on Sahuaro's Ayumu Lara (3) at the state 4A championship game, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Nick Ponds (21) can’t get a hand on the rebound as Deer Valley's AJ Ajawin (23) pulls it away during the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Deer Valley's Simon Gonzales (1) strips Sahuaro's Jamaal McCraney (1) in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's head coach Jim Henry has some questions during flurry in the third quarter against Deer Valley at the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Jamal Ali (30) rises up to loft a shot over Deer Valley's Tyler Wenk (32) in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Cisco Llamas (0) ties up Deer Valley's Sergio Gonzales (0) along the sideline in overtime of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Jamal Ali (30), left, and Nick Ponds (21) get to the rebound at the same time against Deer Valley in the first quarter of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro’s Cisco Llamas (0), left and Jamaal McCraney (1) stop Deer Valley’s AJ Ajawin (23) at the state 4A championship at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix on Feb. 29, 2024.
Deer Valley's AJ Ajawin (23), left, and Sahuaro's Nick Ponds (21) tangle while chasing down the ball in the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Deer Valley's Simon Gonzales (1) celebrates after picking up the foul on his basket in the early going of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Deer Valley's AJ Ajawin (23) dives over Sahuaro's Bryce Marine Bess (4) to get to the ball during the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Jamaal McCraney (1) pounces over Deer Valley's Sergio Gonzales (0) as the ball gets loose in the overtime period of the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Deer Valley's Sergio Gonzales (0), left, and Sahuaro's Bryce Marine Bess (4) get in a footrace for the ball the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Sahuaro's Jamal Ali (30) harasses a shot from Deer Valley's Sergio Gonzales (0) during the state 4A championship, Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Ariz., February 29, 2024.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
High school basketball: Despite 4A championship loss, Sahuaro confident 'they'll be back' in title talk soonFourth-seeded Sahuaro came up just short in its matchup with No. 3 Glendale Deer Valley Thursday, falling 63-61 in overtime in Arizona Class 4A boys basketball state championship game in Phoenix. But the Cougars vow that 'they'll be back' in the title hunt sooner than later.