By Don Ketchum

It was the third game of the week for the boys’ basketball team from Phoenix Paradise Valley, and one could understand if the Trojans’ legs might have been a bit wobbly on Friday night (Jan. 13).

The Trojans began to show a bit of fatigue in the third quarter when visiting Phoenix Sunnyslope cut a 20-point deficit to single digits, but got their second wind and defeated the Vikings for the second time this week, 70-55.

Paradise Valley improved its record to 18-2, while Sunnyslope slipped to 13-5.

“As a coach, you always worry about fresh legs,’’ said Paradise Valley coach Mark MacGowan. “But we take pride in our conditioning, even when we run through the mountains and on the trails.

“This was our second game against Sunnyslope this week. They are a great team, and we felt fortunate to win at their place the other night (Tuesday).’’

Paradise Valley won the earlier game 60-59 on Daniel Lopez’s 3-point basket with 11 seconds to play. The Trojans went on to defeat Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep 58-50 on Thursday night.

“We watched some film of them (Sunnyslope) again and made some adjustments. The big thing was that we took care of the ball better.’’

Even when the Vikings’ defense swarmed all over them to help spark a 24-13 run in the third quarter.

Sunnyslope cut the margin to 51-44 on Mike Hrabczuk’s basket to begin the fourth quarter, but Paradise Valley went on an 11-2 run to regain its grip on the game.

Anthony Walker hit a couple of baskets during the run, Lopez hit a pair of free throws and Ryan Finley connected on a big 3-pointer.

Sunnyslope made one last charge, cutting the lead to 62-55 with 1:09 left on a basket by Bryce Gosar.

The Vikings were forced to foul, and the Trojans hit 8 of 10 free throws in the final 1:02.

MacGowan was pleased with the play of Lopez again, as well as the effort from Walker after post player Paul Watson got in foul trouble in the second half. Brodie Cunningham also provided a lift by connecting on four 3-pointers, three in the first half.

Lopez was one of four players to score in double figures. He led the Trojans with 18. Finley and Cunningham each had 12 and Walker had 11.

Gosar led Sunnyslope with 18 points, 16 in the second half. Michael Humphrey scored 11.