By Don Ketchum

Phoenix Brophy Prep’s Broncos are energized.

A big playoff victory can do that, such as the No. 6 seed’s 69-61 triumph on the road over No. 3 seed Phoenix North in the Class 5A Division I quarterfinals on Saturday night (Feb. 26).

“We’re ready to roll. We’re ready to play,’’ Brophy coach Tony Fuller said of his team’s semifinal game against Fiesta Region rival Mesa, the No. 2 seed that defeated Brophy twice during the regular season.

The two will meet on Thursday (March 3) at 6:30 p.m. at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale. The other 5A-I semifinal at 8 p.m. features No. 1 Sierra Vista Buena against No. 4 Mesa Mountain View.

How did Brophy do it?

By outscoring North 10-0 over the final 3:10 of the game.

The Broncos had a relentless offensive approach throughout, pushing the ball up and down the floor, and an aggressive defense.

It didn’t help North (24-5) that its top player, 6-foot-7 senior Alan Williams, was saddled with foul trouble most of the night. Williams did not score in the first half and got 10 in the second, but it was about 12 fewer than his average of 22.6.

Brophy (20-7) countered with hot shooting from Sai Tummala in the first half. He scored 17 of his 21 points before intermission, but he, too, got in foul trouble. With Tummala on the bench, James Harper helped pick up the slack with 10 of his 14 points in the second half.

“That (Williams being out) was a reason why we got out in front, but not the only reason,’’ Fuller said.

“I think another reason was our aggressiveness. They (North) play a great zone and they stretch it wide. There were certain areas that were open and we were able to drive the lane. We maintained our level of play most of the game.

“It was a tough game. They’re (North) really good, well-coached. They play hard and fast.’’

Behind most of the way, North rallied to take a 44-43 lead on a bucket by Williams with 2:15 left in the third quarter and a fast-break bucket by Jonah Legg to make it 46-43.

Brophy countered with a three-pointer by Mike Hauser and a bucket by Fred Gammage as he drove straight down the middle of the lane.

With about six minutes to play, Brophy had a 55-48 lead, but North battled back within 57-56 on a putback by Williams and took a 59-57 lead on a three-pointer from the corner by Richaud Gittens. Brophy tied it on a bucket by Harper, but Williams gathered in a loose ball and scored the final points of his career and his team’s final points of the game with 3:10 left.

Brophy had balanced scoring during its decisive run. Harper scored on a drive to begin, Tummala followed with a bucket, Gammage scored on a break , Chris Pierre hit two free throws and Harper added the exclamation point on a dunk with 14 seconds left.