Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Defending champ Boulder Creek dethroned by Tolleson

February 23, 2011 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365

"=""> By Don Ketchum
"=""> Tolleson High’s boys knocked off defending Class 5A Division II basketball champion Anthem Boulder Creek 65-54 on Wednesday night (Feb. 23) in the first round of the state tournament and now have their sights set on top-seeded Phoenix Pinnacle.
"=""> Tolleson (22-4) will travel to face Pinnacle in a quarterfinal game on Saturday at 7 p.m. Pinnacle advanced with a 71-61 victory over Surprise Willow Canyon.
"=""> “We had a one-point loss at their place (Pinnacle, on Dec. 2) and the players felt we gave that game away,’’ said Tolleson coach Rich Brumbaugh. “We’ve been wanting to play them again for a long time.’’
"=""> If Tolleson plays defense the way it did against Boulder Creek (18-9) in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines will have a chance.
"=""> Tolleson outscored Boulder Creek 26-17 in the fourth quarter. Tolleson converted 18 of 26 foul shots in the final period, the result of Boulder Creek’s desperation as it tried to get back in the game.
"=""> “We won the game in the fourth quarter. Our defense won it for us,’’ said Brumbaugh, whose team clung to a two-point lead entering the fourth.