Defense passed the test for Seton Catholic coach Karen Self in the first half of its game Tuesday night in a battle of unbeatens at Mesquite. But Self yearned for improvement offensively in the second half.

"I mentioned as we started the halftime talk we needed to work on offense," Self said. "We were stagnant and looked tired the first half. I went away to get a drink of water. When I came back they were huddled and already working out what they thought they could do better."

The offense performed better in the second half and defense was as good or better. It led to Seton blowing open a tight game and ultimately to a 58-31 triumph in a 4A Desert Sky Region game.

Seton, the defending 4A champs, won its 21st game in a row dating back to last season. Senior Amanda Barcello (18 points), and juniors Lexi McNabb (15) and Sasha Daniel (11) hit for double figures. The Sentinels are 5-0 overall and 4-0 in region. Mesquite fell to 4-1, 3-1. Seton's balanced scoring told a tale: All five its starters scored (four had eight points or more) while Mesquite got 25 points from starters (just two).

Seton began the third period with a 22-16 lead. An early basket by Mesquite standout Alaya Fitzgerald (team-high 17 points) brought the Wildcats withing four.  That would be the only points Mesquite scored from that juncture until the 5:42 mark of the fourth quarter. Seton outscored Mesquite 17-2 in the third period and a 39-21 deficit was too far of reach for the Wildcats to make a run.

McNabb, who averages 12 points a game, got more involved in the third period after a three-point first half. She netted seven points in the period. Her perimeter game kicked in with three buckets (two from 3-point range) highlighting her second half. 

Barcello finished with game-high scoring honors, but her interest was more on the defensive end. She drew the assignment of guarding the prolific-scoring Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald's 17 points were hard earned and a season low.

"The third quarter killed us," Mesquite coach Candice Gonzales said. "They put more pressure on and were more aggressive on defense than we were. We weren't giving back what we were getting on defense."

BOYS SOCCER

CAMPO VERDE 4, HIGLEY 1: Jorge Chavez is enjoying this COVID-19 season. The forward pulled off his second hat trick in five matches helping the host Coyotes cruise past the Knights in a 5A San Tan Region contest at Campo Verde.

Chavez, a senior in his fourth varsity campaign, scored twice in the first half. He tallied first on an assist by Higley in the ninth minute. He struck again with an assist from Matthew Ramos in the 18th minute. He exited at that point not to return untiln the final 20 minutes of the match.  Campo Verde added another goal - this one by Garrett Miller (from Luka Zupic) - in the 33rd minute making for a comfy 3-0 lead at intermission.

"He's a true finisher," Campo Verde coach Andrew Guarneri said. "He's got four or five schools looking at him. Hope to get him more exposure, and this video footage will help."

                                  Jorge Chavez (dark uniform) scores his second of three goals in Campo's win over Higley (AzPreps365 photo)

 

Guarneri was able to get his second units a good amount of playing time,, essentially half a game's worth in most instances. The reserves surrendered the only goal Campo allowed. It came in the second half as Higley's Jalen Lucero converted a penalty kick in the 42nd minute.

The game's final goal came in the 62nd minute - Chavez's third - just two minutes into his return to action. The goal was assisted by or the Jarrod Smith. 

Campo Verde (4-1, 2-1) has two more matches this week - Thursday at home vs. Shadow Ridge and Friday at Williams Field in a return to region play. Higley (2-2, 1-1) has its next match Friday at region-leader Casteel.