BOYS Div. II State FINAL: Paradise Valley 45, Salpointe Catholic 38: Salpointe vows 'we will be back' after falling short of first state title

Salpointe's Cameron Denson, left, and Thomas McEvoy, center, battle for a rebound with Paradise Valley's Anthony Walker in Saturday's Division II state final in Glendale. The Lancers finished the season 23-11.

Boys Div. II State final: Paradise Valley 45, Salpointe Catholic 38

GLENDALE - Salpointe Catholic coach Brian Holstrom doesn't know who, but someone on his team scribbled a post-game message on the board inside their locker room Saturday.

HS basketball: Pair of Southern Arizona title contenders hang hats on defense

Defense wins championships. So far, it has two Southern Arizona high school basketball teams in in line to do just that.

High school basketball state playoffs: Salpointe moves on to semis; Nogales, Sahuaro stumble

Salpointe's Cameron Denson, who scored 11 points, was one of four Lancers in double figures. "It's a lot of team basketball," Denson said of the balanced scoring, "and that's making a big difference in the playoffs."

High school basketball state playoffs: Salpointe moves on to semis; Nogales, Sahuaro stumble

GLENDALE - Salpointe Catholic senior Daniel Arzouman hadn't scored all game when coach Brian Holstrom called on him at the most critical time after he was fouled.