Basha Advances to Elite 8 with win over Gilbert

On Thursday, February 19th, the Basha Bears visited the Gilbert Tigers with a trip to the Elite 8 on the line. The game was a physical game, and the Tigers were more shorthanded than they already were, missing the second leading scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1254008' first='Ava' last='Thompson']. The Bears led from the outset, but every time Basha began to pull away, the Tigers fought back to keep it close. In the end, Basha came out on top 49-37, advanced to the Elite 8 of the Open Division, and will play defending champion Millennium. Gilbert moves to the 6A bracket and opens play against Cesar Chavez.     Here, I look at some of the standouts from this contest.      Reynolds continues to prove she's built for big moments. The sophomore forward played an outstanding two-way game, accepting the challenge of guarding one of the state's best scoring guards and doing more than just holding her own. She competed possession after possession, used her length well, and didn't shy away from physical play. Amira finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 3 steals. She scored within the flow, attacked when lanes opened up, and cleaned up second-chance opportunities on the glass.     With Gilbert shorthanded, Wily did what high-level point guards do — she kept them organized and competitive. Crafty with the handle, Wiley consistently found seams in the defense and got into the paint. She's comfortable creating off the bounce, whether it's a pull-up or a drop-off to a teammate. Her ability to shift gears and change pace kept Basha's defenders honest all night.     Coleman set the tone early. She got to her mid-range game with confidence and showed she can stretch it beyond the arc as well. When she's in rhythm, she's tough to contain because she can score at multiple levels. What makes her especially effective is her length. On defense, she disrupted passing lanes and made things uncomfortable for Gilbert's guards. Offensively, she used that same length to see over defenders and deliver sharp passes finishing with 10 points and 6 assists.     Zender continues to show why she's a freshman worth tracking. She played with physicality in the paint, using her size and strength to carve out space and shield defenders. She finished with a near double-double, and most of her production came from toughness plays — rebounds, put-backs, strong finishes through contact. For a freshman in an Open Division matchup, she looked composed.     Grace came ready. As Basha eyes a deep Open Division run, their senior forward delivered a steady performance. She was a beast on the boards as usual as she finished with15 points and 13 rebounds. She scored in a variety of ways — inside touches, transition opportunities, and strong finishes around the rim. Her presence around the basket gave Basha extra possessions and momentum-shifting plays.     Tess was the focal point of Basha's defensive game plan. The Bears threw multiple defenders at her throughout the night, determined not to let her get comfortable. While her shot didn't fall at its usual rate, she still found ways to impact the game. She created off the dribble, collapsed the defense, and generated opportunities for teammates. Even when limited as a scorer, she remained a threat.     Bosch is the type of player you appreciate more after watching the full game. Her impact didn't necessarily jump off the stat sheet, but her passing and defensive presence were felt. She moved the ball with purpose, made the extra pass, and competed defensively on every possession.In games like this, those details matter. Bosch provided stability and connective tissue, helping Basha maintain control.

On Thursday, February 19th, the Basha Bears visited the Gilbert Tigers with a trip to the Elite 8 on the line. The game was a physical game, and the Tigers were more shorthanded than they already were, missing the second leading scorer Ava Thompson Ava Thompson 5'5" | PG Gilbert | 2029 AZ . The Bears led from the outset, but every time Basha began to pull away, the Tigers fought back to keep it close. In the end, Basha came out on top 49-37, advanced to the Elite 8 of the Open Division, and will play defending champion Millennium. Gilbert moves to the 6A bracket and opens play against Cesar Chavez.