Coaches yearn for consistency and that's what Chaparral girls basketball coach Brian Porth got Monday afternoon from his team iin pretty much all fazes in its Nike Tournament of Champions contest against Huntington Beach (CA).

A 16-2 run the final 3 1/2 minutes of the second quarter ignited a 57-41 victory for the Lady Firebirds in the Gold Division semifinals at Campo Verde High School. Chaparral (10-4) will battle Fairmont Prep (Anaheim, Calif.) on Tuesday (Dec. 22) at 2:30 p.m. at Mesquite High in the Gold title game. Fairmont Prep advanced with a 67-42 win over St. Francis ((Sacramento, Calif.) in the bracket's other semifinal.

The Chaparral trio of Addie Buzas, Maddie Vick and Kayla Shaw were the offensive stalwarts, combining for 44 points. Buzas finished with a game-high 16 points, Vick added 15 and Shaw chipped in with 13.

Buzas supplied some muscle inside and added variety as her first two baskets were threes. After that it was all inside work via moves to the basket or nice assists for layups from teammates. Vick connected on three 3s from all angles and Shaw got four of her five field goals off two  fast breaks and two steals she made for layups. Chaparral shot 51 percent from the field (22 of 43) with six threes and good ball movement leading to high percentage looks.

"We can shoot from the outside, but if teams come out on us we have the ability to get to the rim," Porth said. "We're not big. We have players who are patient and unselfish."

Huntington Beach stayed close for most of the first half thanks mainly to the perimeter shooting of guard Sam Gray. Gray scored eight points in the first quarter and 11 in the first 12 minutes as the game see-sawed. Gray didn't score after that. She played the bulk of the third period and la ittle of the fourth, but by then the outcome was cemented.

Porth said word from other coaches was to keep an eye on Huntington Beach forward Frankie Wade-Sanchez. Sanchez got the ball early and often in the post, but Chaparral's defense made it tough for her. Wade-Sanchez tallied eight points on 3 of 9 shooting.

The only other Arizona schools to reach a bracket final in the six-bracket tourney are Gilbert and Liberty. They battle for the Black Division championship Tuesday (Dec. 22) at 10 a.m. at Highland High. Gilbert advanced with a 53-39 win over Centennial (Corona, Calif). Liberty qualified by downing Alameda (Calif.), 50-43. Gilbert also defeated JSerra (Calif.) and Horizon (CO.) in earlier games. Liberty's other tournament wins were over Indio and Pine Creek (CO).

Other results Monday involving Arizona schools: Gold Division -- Cherry Creek (CO) 71, Xavier Prep 65; Valley Vista 58, Lutheran (CO) 33; St. Paul (CA) 47, Red Mountain 38; Hermiston (OR) 64, South Mountain 48; Corona del Sol 48, Wilson (OR) 31. Black Division -- Chandler 60, Warren (CA) 49; Springfield (OR) 65, Basha 24; Betty Fairfax 45, Indio 29. Diamond Division -- Mullen (CO) 33, Westview 24; Rosary (CA) 29, Perry 20. Mike Desper Division -- Hamilton 61, Sacramento (CA) 60; Mesquite 59, Los Alamitos (CA) 45.