Despite trailing the game for most of the first half, the Valley Christian High School boys basketball team defeated American Leadership Academy–Ironwood 71-52 Saturday night.

Following a first-round bye, the #1 ranked Trojans took the court at home against the #16 Warriors in front of a packed crowd full of screaming fans from both teams.

“I don’t feel like it bothered me, but it made the gym a lot louder,” Valley Christian sophomore Austin Wallace said. “It made the game more fun, in my opinion.”

Though the Trojans won the opening tip, the Warriors came out firing early, scoring the first basket of the game after a turnover on the first possession. ALA expanded its lead to 10-6 before Valley Christian senior guard Caleb Shaw scored twice in a row to tie the game.

The Warriors rallied once again, were aggressive in the paint, and worked the score to 18-14 in their favor at the end of the first quarter. The Trojans fought to erase a 9-point deficit at the end of the first half, culminating in a buzzer-beating three-pointer from freshman Kyle Grier to even the score 30-30.

As the second half began, the momentum quickly shifted in favor of Valley Christian. The Trojans switched to man-to-man defense which slowed the Warriors offense significantly.

While the game’s leading scorer Caleb Shaw rested, the Valley Christian bench kept a fast pace to wear out ALA.

“We have a great bench,” Wallace said. “Everyone contributes and when we all play as a team, no one can hang with us.”

A newfound energy on the offensive end allowed the Trojans to take an 11-point lead at the end of the third quarter, led by sophomore Luke Shaw who had 18 points, eight of which came in the third quarter.

Valley Christian kept up the intensity, tacking on 20 more points led by Shaw. Thanks to the Trojans’ man defense preventing open shots for most players, ALA relied on junior Corey Wood who scored 10 of the Warriors’ final 12 points.

“They gave us their best shot (in the first half),” Haagsma said. “All we had to do was now give them ours.”

Valley Christian’s earlier offensive efficiency allowed them to run down the clock for the last two-and-a-half minutes to cement the 19-point victory.

The Warriors were eliminated from the playoffs and finished the season with a 14-13 record overall.

“They’re a very well-coached team,” Trojans head coach Greg Haagsma said of ALA. “Coach McCurdy has won championships and he’s one of the best coaches in 3A.”

The Trojans advanced to 24-3 and will prepare to travel to Prescott to take on #9 ranked Thatcher High School on Tuesday, February 22 at 5:30 p.m.