Seton Catholic's girls basketball team has more than enough offensive weapons to keep its opposition busy. That was on display often Friday and Saturday, but it was defensive plays at crunch time Saturday that paved the way for the Lady Sentinels to claim the title at the 2nd annual Lady X Girls Hoop Invitational at Red Mountain High School.

Tournament most valuable player Jenn Wirth was in on a couple of those key plays to go with her offense in the paint as No. 3 Seton topped No. 5 Mesquite, 51-45, in overtime in the championship game. Jenn Wirth and teammate Sarah Barcello tallied 16 points apiece in the title contest with Jenn's twin sister, LeeAnne, adding eight points.

Jenn Wirth's blocked shot and ultimate possession protected a 49-45 Seton lead in the extra period. LeeAnne Wirth and Barcello sank free throws that snapped a 45-45 regulation tie and Jenn Wirth added two of her own after the block with 19 seconds left to secure the outcome. Seton also limited Mesquite to an off-balance shot at the end of regulation at or just beyond the three-point line.

"My role is to be a leader and it's important everyone plays defense," Jenn Wirth said. "(Defense) is something I'm working on to get better."

The crunch-time wins, which included a 43-41 triumph over Division I Hamilton in the semifinals, pleased coach Karen Self particularly with defense the catalyst.

"We're getting better at the concepts of defense," Self said, with virtually her entire squad back from last year's Dvision II runner-up campaign. "Not getting the concepts hurt us some last year."

Jenn Wirth's steal in the final 30 seconds of the semi with Hamilton enabled Seton togain possession after a timeout and work the ball to Barcello, who sank a driving-layup to put Seton ahead for good 42-41. LeeAnne Wirth's steal of an inbound pass with two seconds left prevented Hamilton from getting a final shot.

For Mesquite, it was a pretty good tournament as well. The Lady Wildcats showed grit in both its games with come-from-behind ability. Mesquite erased a 17-point deficit in the second half of its semifinal with top-seed Valley Vista in posting a 60-57 victory. Valleyt Vista point guard Taylor Chavez had a big game for the Lady Monsoon with 29 points and teammate Kiara Edwards tossed in 16 points. 

Mesquite, which figures to be in the Division I titel chase come this winter, tried to do the same in the championship game. The Lady Wildcats trailed by 10 early in each half before finally forcing overtime.

"We were down a lot with eight minutes to go against Valley Vista, but our fullcourt pressure bothered them," Mesquite coach Candice Gonzales said. "We started getting steals and layups and some threes and made it all the way back.  I'm proud of the girls. We are so small, but play so big."

Sophomore Shaylee Gonzales, the coach's daughter, scored 19 points in the title game after netting 14 in the semifinal bout. Sophomore teammate Lindsey Vanallen tallied 10 points in the title game and a team-high 22 in the semifinal.

No. 2 seed Hamilton took third place with a  36-24 win over Valley Vista and Valley Christian nabbed fifth place beating Cactus Shadows, 43-28. Millennium topped Red Mountain, 54-48, for seventh place.