Canyon View/Sunrise Mountain 5A Championship Recap
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In the girls 5A State Championship it was a battle of two west valley teams as the young Canyon View Lady Jaguars took on the Lady Mustangs of Sunrise Mountain. From the tipoff Sunrise Mountains height advantage and experience came…
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Continue ReadingIn the girls 5A State Championship it was a battle of two west valley teams as the young Canyon View Lady Jaguars took on the Lady Mustangs of Sunrise Mountain.
From the tipoff Sunrise Mountains height advantage and experience came into play. The Mustangs jumped out to a 9-4 lead while one of Canyon Views best players got into immediate foul trouble. At the end of the first quarter Sunrise Mountain led 13-6. Canyon View began to settle in and get comfortable in the second quarter. A 8-1 run tied the game at 14. The Lady Jags started using their speed to their advantage by beginning to trap the ball. Canyon View began to slowly expand the lead when Sunrise Mountains main inside threat sat down with foul trouble. Going into the half Canyon View had a 28-23 lead.
In the beginning of the third quarter Canyon View’s defense began giving Sunrise Mountain more problems. The lead got to 34-29 but a four point play by the Mustangs cut it to 34-33. Sunrise Mountain began gaining momentum and had the score tied at 38 heading into the fourth quarter. The size of Sunrise Mountain post player began to wear down the smaller Jaguars. With three minutes left the Mustangs had built a 47-42 lead. With a little more than two minutes remaining a Canyon View three pointer cuts the lead to 48-45. Canyon View has the ball with thirty seconds left and a three point deficit but turns it over. Free throws seals it for Sunrise Mountain and they win 52-47.
Here is a look at some of the standout players from this game.
Mackenzie Dunham Mackenzie Dunham 6'0" | PF Sunrise Mountain | 2023 State AZ Sunrise Mountain
The senior post player was too much for Canyon View. She was able to get good position and keep the defenders on her hip. She controlled the boards on both end. The most impressive part of her game was her ability to see over the top of the defense and make good passes from the high post.
Aaliyah Rogers
Aaliyah
Rogers
5'7" | CG
Canyon View | 2026
State
AZ
Canyon View
Rogers was a blur whether in the open court or half court. She takes long strides and got by pretty much anyone who defended her. On defense she has quick hands and feet defensively. She will have a bright future.
Savanna Dotray
Savanna
Dotray
5'11" | SF
Sunrise Mountain | 2025
State
AZ
Sunrise Mountain (Featured image)
The sophomore wing does a little bit of everything. She handles the ball very well for a player her size which helps her excel as a passer. She also has a good looking shot from the perimeter. Dotray should make a jump next year in production.
Avery Spickler PF 5’9 2023 Canyon View
The lone senior for Canyon View is a fighter and never gives up. She battled every possession. Spickler has a good feel for getting position in the paint which enabled her to lead the team in rebounds.
Mackenzie Nielsen
Mackenzie
Nielsen
5'10"
Sunrise Mountain | 2023
AZ
Sunrise Mountain
A very good shooter that showed that she can run off consecutive threes in a row. She also showed a good running floater when she got in the paint. She played with a good basketball IQ.
Mia Burgess
Mia
Burgess
5'8" | SF
Canyon View | 2024
State
AZ
Canyon View
Burgess is a good mid-range shooter. She protected the ball very well and didn’t try to do too much on offense. On defense she showed very good energy and played the passing lanes very well.
Reena Bhakta
Reena
Bhakta
5'11" | PF
Sunrise Mountain | 2023
State
AZ
Sunrise Mountain
The senior showed excellent leadership when it was most needed. She was clutch from the free throw line. She knows how to use her body very well and plays with good energy on defense.