By Don Ketchum

Third-quarter slumps have been a problem on occasion for the Peoria High girls’ basketball team this season.

The Panthers had what they thought was a comfortable double-digit lead at halftime of their first matchup against rival Glendale Cactus on Jan. 10, but were outscored 17-9 before hanging on for a victory.

When the teams met again at Cactus on Friday night (Feb. 3), Peoria coach Leslie Saulsby wasn’t about

to allow his team to take another dive.

 

“We’ve made the third quarter a priority. We’ve told them (players), “Act like you’re down (behind),’ ’’

Saulsby said. “We’ve come out and have been more aggressive.’’

 

Peoria stepped it up, going on an 18-8 third-quarter run and coasting to a 64-47 victory in the final

Division II, Section II game of the regular season.

 

Inside player CeCe Pearl, who scored 22 points in the first game, also scored 22 this time, but 18 came in

the first half for Peoria (24-4). Guards Alexis Camacho and Felicia Foster took over in the second half.

Each scored five points in the third quarter. Camacho finished with 20 points, Foster with 10.

 

“That’s their job,’’ Saulsby said. “We think we have one of the fastest guard combinations around. Lexi

(Camacho) can shoot from wherever and Felicia tries to keep the offense under control.’’

 

Cactus (21-8) had a four-point lead at the end of the first quarter, but was out of sync after that.

Both teams had wanted to use this game for motivation entering next week’s sectional tournament

after losses earlier in the week.

 

Peoria, which has been No. 1 in power points for much of the second half of the regular season, could

wind up being the top seed at sectionals.

 

“Wherever we are, it is going to be a tough draw because there are a lot of good teams in our section,’’

Saulsby said.

 

The 22 teams in Section II are Glendale Apollo, Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain, Cactus, Cave Creek Cactus Shadows, Flagstaff Coconino, Glendale Copper Canyon, El Mirage Dysart, Flagstaff, Glendale, Phoenix Greenway, Peoria Liberty, Cottonwood Mingus, Bullhead City Mohave, Phoenix Moon Valley, Peoria, Prescott, Glendale Raymond S. Kellis, Surprise Shadow Ridge, Peoria Sunrise Mountain, Phoenix Thunderbird, Buckeye Verrado and Phoenix Washington.