By Don Ketchum

Are Phoenix Horizon High’s softball players ready for the state tournament?

You got that right.

Are Horizon’s softball players ready for the prom?

You got that right.

Thanks to a pair of big wins, on Tuesday (April 24) over Scottsdale Desert Mountain and on Wednesday (April 25) over Phoenix Xavier Prep, the Huskies can have the best of both worlds.

Their 3-0 triumph over Xavier likely sewed up a bye for Saturday’s (April 28) opening round of the Division I tournament. The top eight earn byes, and Horizon was listed at No. 7 on Wednesday night.

The prom is Saturday night, and the girls should not have to worry about the pressure of a win (the first two rounds are single-elimination, then double-elimination after that) and then getting ready for the big dance.

“We think we’ve got it (bye), but even if we don’t, we’ll just go out and take care of business if we have to,’’ said Horizon coach Bryan Casey.

Horizon (22-8) appears to be playing its best softball at just the right time.

“It was that way last year, too, and then we ran into Lauren Haeger,’’ Casey said of the star pitcher who led Glendale Deer Valley to the Class 5A Division II title.

“This year, there is no Lauren Haeger and anybody can win it.’’

If Horizon remains at No. 7, it would host a game on Tuesday (May 1) at 4 p.m. against the winner of Saturday’s game between the No. 10 and No. 23 seeds.

The four Horizon seniors were honored during the game against Xavier, but it was a freshman who stole the spotlight.

Tamara Statman, better known simply as “T,’’ scattered four hits and struck out 10. She also is the team’s leadoff hitter and had three hits, including a double.

Junior catcher Margaret Stahm also came up with a big hit when she homered to lead off the third inning.

“ “T’ has come a long way,’’ Casey said. “She has always had the stuff, but now she is learning how to pitch to these 17- and 18-year-olds. The sky is the limit for her.’’

Xavier likely will wind up with the No. 3 seed in the tournament.