Derrian Carter is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover South Mountain for AZPreps365.com

GLENDALE – Too much of anything is bad. That proverb is resonating throughout the AIA boys basketball 4A Playoffs.

No. 4 Deer Valley overcame its 4A West Valley nemesis No. 5 Notre Dame Prep, 54-50, to advance to the semifinals. The Skyhawks outscored the Saints 22-12 in the fourth quarter to make a huge comeback, but it never felt like the game was out of reach. After all, Deer Valley went undefeated at home this season.

“It's hard facing (Deer Valley coach) Jed Dunn three times in a year,” Saints coach Luke Dallariva said. “They never lost a home game (this season), so it's hard playing these guys anytime.”

Out of the 12 games played this postseason, only one road team defeated the host: No. 6 Mesquite won at Peoria. This stat is disheartening to all the underdogs, who want a shot at the big dance but ultimately know when and where their postseason will end. 

For the playoffs to be balanced and for low-ranked teams to have a shot, the AIA should have games at neutral sites. This March Madness approach allows both fan bases to attend the game with equal support and offers the feeling of parity and hope to underdog schools.

Home teams are usually favorites in every sport because of the comfort of playing on their home court and in front of fans. Deer Valley was no different, with its student section and fans providing momentum and undying support.

“(The crowd was) big time,” Skyhawks coach Jed Dunn said. “We don't typically get a big crowd into the playoffs, but they were real big.”

Deer Valley's student section was so invested that the game took a pause with 3:28 left in the first quarter after fans got close to Notre Dame Prep sophomore Anthony Batson Jr. That caused Deer Valley’s student section to stand up on the bleachers instead of the floor.

“One guy ran over to me (and) just started barking in my ear,” Batson Jr. said. “I told the refs to get him off me, and they made them go up in the stands.”

In the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, seniors Semajay James and Jojo Montgomery led Deer Valley to take control of the game, making crucial free throws and scoring in transition with the admiration of an exuberant crowd behind them. James finished the night with 17 points, while Montgomery scored 15 points.

“They gave us momentum in the end when we needed to get that last stretch,” James said. “It was really important for everybody to cheer and help us out.”

The joy of victory of one team leads to the agony of defeat for another. With only a small amount of support, the Saints put up a valiant effort in hostile territory. They controlled the game for over three quarters, but let it slip away in the final moments. 

“It's very difficult when (Deer Valley fans) just scream every time they score, and it's not the same energy when we score,” Batson Jr. said. “It's a little deflating.”

What could’ve been if, nearly 20 miles away, Scottsdale was the site instead of Glendale? 

The best team with the best crowd with the best home-court advantage won Friday night and in almost every other matchup. That’s the story of this year's 4A Playoffs; hopefully, not next year.