Quinton Pressley is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com

Despite Kaden House’s 30 points and 11 rebounds, Desert Mountain’s playoff run came to an end after losing to Basha, 78-68, on Friday night. This sends the Bears to the semifinals to face Perry High School on Feb. 28. 

The Wolves opened the game slower than usual, missing easy opportunities at the rim and sending the Bears to the free-throw line multiple times. Nonetheless, Desert Mountain flipped the switch and started playing their brand of basketball.

A domino effect started with an alley-oop connection from Kalek House to Javon Bardwell. This was followed immediately by a Reid Neuhausen 3-pointer to take the lead late in the first quarter. 

Just before the end of the first, Basha’s Mason Magee landed one final blow before the horn and drained a midrange jumpshot to cut Desert Mountain’s lead to two, 16-14.

In the second quarter, neither team was able to pull away at any time, and were trading baskets every other possession.

“We were scoring and they were scoring, they just kept matching us,” said Jabron Bardwell. 

Basha started to find success down-low after sophomore Elijah Summers-Livingston threw down back-to-back emphatic slam dunks that tied the game. With the clock ticking down Magee, once again, was able to bail the Bears out with an awkward 3-pointer which sent Basha into halftime only down by one.

Right out of the gates of the third quarter, both teams were scoring at will. However, the Wolves’ offense was not sustainable and fell into a field goal drought. As the game progressed, the Bears started to dominate both sides of the ball and build a sizable lead.

“I think we knew that we were here, and that we could win this game…and that’s what we did,” said Summers-Livingston. 

Basha continued this spark throughout the third quarter and found themselves up nine with a chance to move onto the semifinals. On the other hand, Desert Mountain needed to find a solution quickly with their season on the line.

The fourth quarter began and the Bears’ experience and composure kept a strong grip on their lead. The House twins tried their best to ignite a comeback with multiple timely buckets, but any spark of momentum was squashed.

Basha finally put the Wolves away for good after Summers-Livingston’s rim-rocking dunk. Desert Mountain’s season was officially over with a final score of 78-68. Basha will now go on to face No. 1 Perry with high hopes.

“I mean it was great to go out and compete…and punch our tickets to the semifinals…obviously everyone wants to win a ring,” said Summers-Livingston.

A tragic ending to such a promising season.

“It’s tough,” said Joshua Allen.

Although the season ended in defeat, Desert Mountain is going to be a force to reckon with next year. 

“I see us coming back stronger, smarter, better…next year we’re going to bring it,” said Jabron.