5A Championship Review/Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On <strong>Friday, March 6th</strong>, at the <strong>Veterans</strong> <strong>Memorial Coliseum </strong>in <strong>Phoenix</strong>, the #2 <strong>Horizon Huskies</strong> battled the #5 <strong>Raymond S. Kellis Cougars</strong>. The game started slowly on offense, but it picked up in the second half. A big third quarter by the Cougars opened things up, as they sealed the win 52-40. This win avenges a runner-up finish in the 2025 title game. The <strong>Raymond S. Kellis Cougars</strong> are the <strong>2026 5A State Champions</strong>. <br><br>Here, I look at some of the standouts from this contest</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758872"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69adfc4278b66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior forward was voted the MVP and was a major reason Kellis walked away with the title. Santos Mas dominated the glass, finishing with 18 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, including 12 offensive boards, which constantly gave Kellis second-chance opportunities. Her activity level and physical presence around the rim wore Horizon down throughout the game. When the Cougars needed someone to impose their will inside, Santos Mas answered the call.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754698"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69adfc4278e24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schlitz did everything she could to keep Horizon within striking distance. The senior shooting guard produced a strong all-around effort, finishing with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. She competed hard on both ends of the floor and consistently battled on the glass despite playing on the perimeter. Her effort and leadership kept the Huskies fighting throughout the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971358"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69adfc4278eb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore point guard showed maturity well beyond her years. With Kellis dealing with foul trouble at the guard spot early, Walker had to shoulder a heavier ball-handling role and responded with a composed performance. She logged the full 32 minutes, finishing with 9 points, 4 assists, and a game-high 6 steals, while committing zero turnovers. Her ability to control the tempo, protect the basketball, and create defensive disruption proved critical in the title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["927947"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69adfc4278f26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perkins provided a physical presence inside for Horizon and was effective whenever she established position in the paint. The senior post finished with 9 points and 8 rebounds, coming close to a double-double. Her size and strength created matchup problems at times, particularly when Horizon could get her touches near the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["660218"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69adfc4278f8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior floor general had to navigate early foul trouble, which limited her minutes in the first half. However, in the second half, she came back locked in and provided the leadership the Cougars needed to close the game. Mallory-Frias finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals, showing her ability to impact the game even when her shot wasn't falling consistently. Her defensive intensity and experience helped steady Kellis during key stretches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["992602"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69adfc4278ff0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fields served as the Huskies' primary ball handler and showed toughness throughout the contest. While the sophomore guard didn't shoot the ball at her usual efficiency from the field, she found other ways to score by attacking the basket and drawing contact. Fields finished with 10 points, going 6-for-7 from the free-throw line, while also adding 3 rebounds and a steal. Her aggressiveness helped keep Horizon competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["831761"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69adfc4279053"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Parks-Rodriquez once again brought her trademark energy and versatility to the floor. The senior guard contributed across multiple areas, finishing with 8 points and 8 rebounds, while also knocking down two key three-pointers that came at crucial moments. Her ability to impact the game with hustle plays, rebounding, and timely perimeter shooting was an important piece of Kellis's championship effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->