Boys hoops: Fear the Hop semifinals

November 21, 2018 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Boulder Creek won the tip to begin overtime vs. Mesa High, but the Jackrabbits prevailed, 67-63, in the extra period of a semifinal at their Fear the Hop. (AzPreps365 photo).

Mesa High and new coach Scott Stansberry are pretty satisfied with their 3-0 start to the 2018-2019 season. The latest of the wins came Wednesday night in the semifinals of its annual Fear the Hop tournament -- a come-from-behind effort.

Zach Hobbs sank a go-ahead three with 2:01 left in overtime as Mesa rallied from a nine-point, third-quarter deficit to defeat Boulder Creek, 67-63, at Jackrabbit Gym.

Mesa faces Corona del Sol, which also ran its record to 3-0 with a 67-34 win over Campo Verde in the other semifinal. Those teams meet in the championship game on Saturday at 7 at Mesa. 

Hobbs, a 6-foot-4 senior guard who is closing in on the school record for most three-point field goals made in a career, sank just the one trey in this game. Hobbs had a tough time getting shots attempting just eight. Hobbs finished with 10 points after a 31-point effort the night before against Queen Creek. Other teammates picked up the slack with Tony Adame hitting for 14 points as well as Jesus Velazco with 14 points off the bench. Wyatt Appel was the fourth Mesa player in double figures with 10. Appel sank two free throws with 13 seconds left after Boulder Creek turned the ball over on a potential tying possession to ice the game.

The game was close most of the way, but Boulder Creek put some fear in Mesa using 12-2 run to open up a 39-30 lead with five minutes left in the third period. Mesa pecked away and trailed 44-41 heading to the final period. There were six lead changes in the final quarter. Mesa led 57-55 after Hobbs' three-point play put the Jackrabbits ahead with 1:18 to go. Two free throws by Boulder Creek's Sam Kinsale tied it at 57. Hobbs missed a three with 1.3 seconds left bringing on overtime.

Boulder Creek (1-2) was led by guard Tyrese Rogers with 18 points. Kyle Harris, Gavin Caldwell and Kinsale tallied 10 points apiece.

CORONA DEL SOL 67, CAMPO VERDE 34: The Aztecs blew the game open after a fairly tight first quarter, outscoing the Coyotes 42-16 in the middle periods to reach the tourney final.

Eric Blackwell paced Corona with 21 points, including four of the Aztecs' nine 3s. Anthony Irvin and Sha-vere Yarde added 11 points each. Luke Nicolds led Campo Verde with nine points.

The rest of the schedule for Saturday's final day of the tournament: 12:30 - American Leadership- Queen Creek vs. Saguaro; 2:30 - Saguaro-ALA winner vs. Highland; 4 p.m. -- Queen Creek vs. Centennial in the consolation final; 5:30 - Campo Verde vs. Boulder Creek for third place.