By Don Ketchum

Sports teams from Phoenix St. Mary’s High have had a long, strong tradition.

Part of it has been the increased visibility of the athletes in state tournaments and meets with extra gold in their clothing.

The football team has worn gold pants in the playoffs, and now the high-powered girls’ basketball team is making a fashion statement with gold shoes.

It was as if the girls were walking on air Friday night (Feb. 17), when they began their quest for a second straight state title with a 76-38 win over visiting Phoenix Mountain Pointe in the second round of the Division I tournament. St. Mary’s, the third seed, had received a first-round bye.

The Lady Knights advanced to a quarterfinal game on Monday (Feb. 20) at Arizona State’s Wells Fargo Arena against sixth-seeded Phoenix Desert Vista. Tipoff is 4:15 p.m.

The approach was familiar, as it had been in 26 previous victories this season.

It was to suffocate the opponent with the press and pass the ball around the perimeter until the best opportunity for a shot was found.

“You know how these high school girls are with wearing stuff. They like the shoes,’’ said St. Mary’s coach Curtis Ekmark.

Helped by five 3-pointers, St. Mary’s rolled up a 58-15 halftime lead, then coasted the rest of the way. With a running clock and most of its reserves on the floor in the fourth quarter, the team scored just two points, and that came on a basket with 12 seconds left. Had the starters remained, the score could have reached triple digits.

“I am very pleased with the way we are playing. We are peaking at the right time,’’ Ekmark said.

He said his players were ready to play a game when they practiced on Thursday.

“They really wanted to play,’’ he said. “They were ready to play tonight and they will be fired up again on Monday.’’

Shilpa Tummala led St. Mary’s with 23 points. Courtney Ekmark scored 15 and Cortnee Walton 14. Hannah Sharpe was the top scorer for 19th-seeded Mountain Pointe (22-10) with 14 points.