Hamilton girls' basketball coach Trevor Neider picked up his 200th victory with the Huskies on Tuesday night with an anti-climactic win over Millenium. Hamilton hosted the inaugural Title IX Classic, and unfortunately for Millenium, its entire starting lineup was out due to injury or illness. Hamilton cruised to a 62-27 win. 11 different players scored for the Huskies, as Taylor Sipfle led the way with 10.

Moments after the game ended, senior Breanna Sommers reached over the scorer's table, grabbed the P.A. microphone to make sure everyone in attendance was aware before the Huskies celebrated their coach.

Hamilton basketball coach Trevor Neider holds up a congratulatory poster surrounded by his team Tuesday night after capturing his 200th victory at the school. Photo by Ben Stapley

"Coach Neider works super hard all the time and he's always encouraging us to be the best that we can," Sommers said of Neider.

"He's always finding things for us to do outside of basketball to help us be better people."

Neider guided Hamilton to state championships in 2016 and 2019, and another title is within sights this season. The Huskies biggest win this year came last week when it took down then top ranked Xavier, 51-46 for win No. 199.

"That was obviously a big win for us," Neider said of the Xavier contest. "Obviously the goal is to be the last team standing in the playoffs, but that was a great confidence builder, in fact it probably gave us a little too much confidence."

Neider was referring to Hamilton's following game against Chandler, which handed the rival Huskies an unexpected thumping, 59-45.

"That was my fault I have to take the blame for that, but hopefully we learn from it," Neider said of the Chandler loss.

The Huskies are led in scoring by 6-foot senior guard Savanna Creal with over 12 points a game.

Hamilton also makes things difficult in the paint with the height and talent of sophomores Callie Hinder (6-6) and Taylor Sipfle (6-4), both averaging eight points per game. Their presence near the beasket creates serious matchup problems on both sides of the ball.

"We're having fun and we're excited for the playoffs," Sommers added.

Hamilton is No. 1 in this week's 6A power point rankings, while Xavier is close behind at No. 2 in both rankings.

For updated weekly rankings visit: https://azpreps365.com/rankings/basketball-girls

  

 

Basha Back in the Big Time

The Basha boys basketball team beat Perry for the first time in four years, and it may serve as a the catalyst the Bears need as the postseason looms. Although not quite as explosive as last season's 30-1 Open Championship team, Perry remains the favorite by many to win its third consecutive state title. Basha won the 6A title in 2017, also going 30-1, and the Bears are hoping to hoist another championship trophy. 

"It's been a few years since we beat them so it's huge for our confidence," Basha coach Mike Grothaus said of the Perry victory. "They've been the class of Arizona the last couple of years, and with coach Duane it's always a challenge, so that was definitely a great win for our kids."

Sophomore Mason Magee scored 23 of his 26 points through three quarters of Tuesday night's game, which ended 67-67 in regulation. Magee hit a a big three pointer in overtime, and Basha's defense kept Koa Peat and Perry from scoring in overtime, as the Bears prevailed 71-67. Perry junior No No Brown (23 points) and Peat (22) combined for 45 points in the loss.

The Pumas (15-6 overall) are still atop the the 6A power rankings, and No. 2 in the Open rankings behind 5A Notre Dame Prep.

Basha (17-6 overall) is third in 6A and No. 5 in the Open rankings. 

 

Volleyball Legend Honored

Longtime Hamilton Volleyball coach Sharon Vanis was celebrated Tuesday evening during the Title IX Classic. In 18 seasons at Hamilton, Vanis has built the Husky volleyball program into one of the state's elite, winning 573 matches and two state champiponships, along with several Cooach of the Year Awards. Vanis was honored for advocacy of females and in education and athletics award