Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima’s Ashlynn Chlarson prepares to shoot. Chlarson finished with a game-high 16 to lead Pima over Scottsdale Christian, 70-25.
By Jon Johnson
PIMA – Like the many who have come before them, the Scottsdale Christian Eagles visited the No. 1 Pima Roughriders on Saturday night and found out in person what it is like to play against this team.
Pima (8-0 region, 12-0 conference, 23-1 overall) dominated the game from about mid-way through the first quarter en route to a 70-28 victory.
“Overall, I’m really proud of the way they played tonight,” said Pima head coach Roy Corona. “I didn’t expect that. Honestly, this one and Thatcher were really good.”
Like in many other games, Pima’s relentless defense was on full display. After giving up 13 points in the first quarter, the Pima defense only yielded 3 points in the second and 6 in both the third and fourth quarters.
“We played man-to-man defense the whole game and we played really well,” Corona said. “I expected that team to come in and really push us . . . And our defense just really stepped up.”
Offensively, Ashlynn Chlarson and Saydee Allred came out on fire in the first quarter and scored 18 of the team’s 22 opening-quarter points. Chlarson was unstoppable down low, hitting 10 of her game-high 19 points in the first quarter alone. Conversely, Allred punished the Eagles from deep, hitting three long balls on her way to a 13-point performance.
In the second quarter, the Roughriders were paced by reserve guard Jayci McClain, who came off the bench to hit 8 of her 16 points in the second quarter. McClain’s tough defense led to turnovers and fast-break opportunities, and the feisty junior also nailed a couple of 3’s in the second half for good measure.
“Jayci really played well tonight off the bench,” Corona said.
Others scorers for Pima included Aubrie Sherwood with 11; Ashlie Sherwood and Samantha Pippo with 4 points each, and Maddie Gann with 3 points.
The Eagles (3-0 region, 8-2 conference, 12-5 overall discounting Cactus Jam Tournament due to results not posted on AIA) were led by Savannah Cardona, who hit three 3-pointers on her way to 12 points. Other scorers for Scottsdale Christian included Brooke Hancock with 5 points; Baylee Tobin with 4; Ana Faustinos with 3, and Lily Richardson with 2 points.
Pima will next host Tombstone on Monday, Feb. 7, for Senior Night, starting at 5:30 p.m. The Roughriders will then finish their regular season on the road at Benson on Thursday, Feb. 10.
Click here to see the Gila Herald’s photo album from the game.
In other local girls hoops action:
In 1A, the No. 1 Fort Thomas Apaches defeated the St. David Tigers 57-34 to win the 1A South & Tucson Tournament. The Fort will next host No. 16 Lincoln Prep in the play-in state playoff game on Wednesday, Feb. 9, starting at 4:30 p.m.
No. 15 Duncan will travel to face No. 2 Rock Point on Wednesday, Feb. 9, starting at 7 p.m.
In 3A, the No. 1 Thatcher Eagles defeated Coolidge 60-41 on Friday. The Eagles will next host the Globe Tigers on Tuesday, Feb. 8, starting at 5:30 p.m. This will be Thatcher’s last regular-season home game.
