Phoenix Christian’s Tara Poovey played and coached against Arizona Lutheran as an assistant.

On Wednesday, she faced Arizona Lutheran as a head coach for the first time. But not much has changed between Phoenix Christian and Arizona Lutheran since Poovey graduated in 2004.

The rivalry is just as intense as in the early 2000s. The two teams were at it again in a game that pitted the top-ranked and only remaining unbeaten teams in the Division IV power rankings for girls.

Poovey’s first shot at Arizona Lutheran as Phoenix Christian’s boss got off to a good start, but her girls had a so-so second and third period. But Phoenix Christian ended the night on a high note, rallying from a 7-point hole with 2:20 remaining to pull off the 37-33 road win.

“We played possession basketball and pulled it off,” Poovey said.

Arizona Lutheran failed to secure the ball down the stretch against Phoenix Christian’s pressure.

Three players were averaging double figures in points per game for Phoenix Christian (18-2 overall, 10-0 power rankings), but only Ashley Bliss (15 points) reached that mark Wednesday. Arizona Lutheran’s (12-4 overall, 7-1 power rankings) leading scorer, Ruth Buchholz, led her team with 14 points.