Morgan Tremmel is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Arizona Luetheran Academy for AZPreps365.com.

The gym at Arizona Lutheran Academy was packed for the boys basketball game which is not uncommon. The Coyotes and their fans show up, this time though it was different, this time it was a playoff game. The stands were shaking but still the Coyotes looked composed and ready to win.

ALA’s opponent would be the talented Morenci High School which had only two losses on the year and had the possibility of upsetting No. 2-ranked ALA in the 2025 AIA 2A State quarterfinals on Saturday night.

The first quarter was a defensive showcase with few points being scored to start with ALA center Owen Beilke putting up seven of the 10 ALA points in the quarter. At the end of the first quarter ALA would lead 10-5. Sophomore guard Cash Hill started cold from three missing a few shots to start the game however this would change soon. 

“It’s all mental the only way to get out of a shooting slump is to keep shooting it,” said Hill.

He was right as after the first quarter he would knock down two threes and despite Morenci limiting Beilke at the start of the quarter he would still end up with seven points by the end of the half. 

The free-throw line was a friend to both teams as they both ended up in the bonus. This and many violations led to both coaches becoming upset with the refs.

“We play the way we play and sometimes our physicality gets us in trouble but we'll take it cause we’re not gonna change the way we play,” said ALA head coach Doug Meyer.

Due to the better free-throw shooting of Ethan Kayenda and Beilke the Coyotes took a commanding 31-17 lead going into the half. 

The Coyotes would not stop there as they would come out of the half swinging with Hill taking the spotlight with nine of the total 24 ALA points in the quarter. Beilke would again dominate down low and get to the free throw three times along with several rebounds. 

“We didn't want to let them think that they could get back into the game. We just really talked about doubling down on our defense and better passing,” said Meyer.

The fourth quarter would secure the Coyotes dominance as Beilke would put in a layup, throw down a dunk and then hit a 3-pointer to seal his 29-point performance. Hill also had two layups to seal a 22-point game.  

The Coyotes won the game 75-47 and now look forward to the semifinals game against Fountain Hills High School on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix. The Coyotes previously won 54-40 and the players are confident in themselves and in each other. 

“We're gonna get that dub, beat Fountain Hills I mean we've done it before we’re gonna do it again, beat them, go back to the chip and prove everybody wrong cause they've been doubting us since the beginning of the season that's what we're gonna do,” said Kayenda.