Falcons Boys Basketball Come up Short in Championship Game of Great Desert Shootout

Photo credit: Gina DeCarlo Brown. Cactus Shadows Julian Johnson (10) on a contested runout in the 4th quarter against the Paradise Honors Panthers in the Great Desert Shootout holiday tournament, Thursday, 12/28/17. Falcons pulled out the win 62-55.

In an effort to win their 2nd holiday tournament of the year, the CSHS Varsity Boys Basketball team had a seven game win streak snapped in the championship game of the ‘Great Desert Shootout’ holiday tournament, going down to the Paradise Valley Trojans, 59-53, in front of a packed gym, Friday, 12/29/17.

In a tightly contested, intense game, both teams played tough defense, making scoring a premium in this one. The Falcons fought their way back after their worst start of the year (down 16-6 after the 1st quarter), to win the next 2 quarters, heading into the 4th quarter down 4 points, 37-33. It was mostly a one possession game throughout the final quarter, but the Trojans made more plays in the final minutes, and pulled away for the win.

The Falcons started the tournament with a win over 6A Westwood Warriors (Mesa), 66-42, and won in the semifinals over a talented, well coached #2 ranked 2A Paradise Honors Panthers (Surprise) team, 62-55.

FALCON’S RECORD: Overall: 12–2, Section: 0–1.

WHATS NEXT: Tuesday, 1/9/18, 7pm at St. Mary’s Knights. Next home game, Thursday, 1/11/18, 7pm, CSHS Blue Gym, 5802 E. Dove Valley Rd., Cave Creek AZ 85331. $5 admission.