Catalina Foothills’ boys basketball team refocused its attention after a sectional championship loss just over a week ago and is now in the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.
It’s the furthest the Falcons have gone under third-year coach Doug D’Amore’s, and they’re doing it without one of their top players in senior Nik Nehls.
Playing fast and lose, No. 10 Foothills will try to keep the good times going when it travels to Gila River Arena in Glendale on Wednesday to take on No. 2 Avondale Agua Fria in a 6 p.m. game
The Star recently caught up with D’Amore to find out a little more about the last week:
Q: What was it like to knock off No. 7 Scottsdale Saguaro with a last-second 49-47 win to advance to the state quarterfinals?
A: “Saguaro is a really good team. They had just lost to top-ranked Phoenix Shadow Mountain by 11 and gave them one of their best battles in Arizona. We knew going into it, it was going to be one of our toughest matchups. The kids just fought every single possession. We didn’t play our best basketball, but we definitely played our hardest basketball.”
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Q: What were your thoughts about Jared Irwin’s game winning basket against Saguaro?
A: “Jared has a knack for hitting big shots. We don’t necessarily like to just hold for last shot, we like to hold for the best shots and that was really one of the best shots we could have gotten. I had no qualms about him taking it, and confident he’s done it many, many times already in his career.
Q: As Saguaro got off one last attempt on Saturday night, what was going through your mind?
A: “Those types of shots you almost don’t want to watch. You just turn your head, listen to the crowd reaction, and it’s either a smile, or head down. It was a tough game in the fact that both teams deserved to win. It was one of those situations. It was definitely one of the best high school games I’ve been a part of.”
Q: This is the furthest any of your teams have gotten. What makes this group special?
A: “We have six seniors. They’ve known each other a long time. They’ve committed three years since I’ve been here to doing what I ask. It’s definitely been a transition for them but the fact that they’ve bought in to my style of coaching and have really trusted what I’ve preached to them is what makes them special.”
Q: Senior sharpshooter Nik Nehls has missed both state tournament games because of a “school decision.” How hard has it been to regroup and still win without him at this point in the season?
A: It’s been hard. There’s been a lot of adversity this year, that just happens to be the most recent. There’s been a number of things throughout the years these kids could have used as an excuse but they didn’t. I think that speaks to their individual character and our team’s character. They know exactly what they have to do. It’s no secret. You have to play hard and you have to execute and if we do those things regardless of the outcome we can hold our heads up high.”
