Nogales hopes to keep 'Cinderella run' going as No. 21 seed

The 6-foot-5-inch senior swatted the ball so hard it ended up in the top row of the bleachers, and just about everyone in the packed gym gasped.

But their reaction was minimal compared to when the Apaches took down the defending state champion two nights later.

Nogales hits the court Wednesday afternoon in its first game since stunning fifth-seeded Gilbert Christian. The No. 21 Apaches face fourth-seeded Phoenix Paradise Valley at Gila River Arena in Glendale for a trip to the Division II state semifinals.

“Anything can happen, you know,” said Diaz, who has posted double-doubles in each of his last two games. “Hopefully we’ll upset again and keep going on this Cinderella run.”

Just two weeks ago coach Ricardo De La Riva and the Apaches were wondering if they’d even qualify for the postseason. Now, as the fourth-to-last team to get in, Nogales is on the verge of its second straight semifinals appearance.

“It’s a great feeling for all of us,” De La Riva said. “The school is so hyped, they’re going to send fan buses, the band the cheerleaders. It’s hyped for everybody with what we’re doing.”

The Apaches (18-10 overall) opened the state tournament with a 69-67 win at No. 12 Tucson High behind a game-high 31 points from senior Jose Estrada. Two nights later, on Saturday, Nogales pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season when it beat Gilbert Christian 60-57.

“These kids really work hard, and they prepare,” De La Riva said. “The opportunity was there and they took it.”

Block of the year by @AdalbertoDiaz55? 👀 #NOGvsTUC #azhs pic.twitter.com/lGzLgdRbQG

— Daniel Gaona (@DanielGaona13) February 19, 2016

Diaz and Estrada have been the anchors of the unprecedented return to Gila River Arena. It’s the same location where Nogales’ season came to an end a year ago with a 55-50 loss to Phoenix Arcadia in the Division II state semifinals.

“That really left a sour taste in our mouth,” Diaz said. “We just wanted to get back and, as far as being seeded No. 21, we just wanted to show that rankings don’t mean anything to us. We just want to get that win.”

Although Diaz and Estrada have last year’s experience of playing at the arena, De La Riva said it’ll be the first visit for most of his players. He’s hoping it isn’t the last.

With a win on Wednesday, Nogales would return to Glendale on Saturday for the semifinal round. And a win there would send the Apaches on to Monday’s final for their first title game appearance since 2011 when they won the Class 4A-I crown.

“The goal is to get to that state championship game,” Diaz said. “We still need two games, so we feel right now that we haven’t accomplished anything.”