Crunch time became senior time for the Amphitheater Panthers on Monday night in the showcase game of the Martin Luther King Classic.

The defending 4A-II champions entered the fourth quarter protecting a slim lead over Salpointe Catholic, 49-48.

Then, Amphi's three main seniors - Tim Derksen, Charles Benson and Tony Lillard - took over.

The trio scored all 24 fourth-quarter points for the Panthers and led Amphi to a 73-57 win over the Lancers at McKale Center.

"We consider ourselves the leaders of the team and we had to show it," Lillard said. "We don't say anything about it. I just think we're all natural leaders and we knew we had to step up."

Lillard was the most effective Panther in the final quarter, scoring 13 of his game-high 21 points.

He wasted no time stepping up in the fourth, scoring Amphi's first four points on a driving layup and two free throws. Benson and Derksen helped extend the lead to nine, but Salpointe cut it to 60-54 on Cory Carver's jumper.

The Lancers never got closer, thanks to the Amphi seniors. Lillard scored again to make it an eight-point lead, and Benson added a layup on a three-point play.

Amphi coach Ben Hurley said the team's seniors were a key in the fourth, but he also credited the team's freshness after playing 11 players in the first half.

"I thought Salpointe got a little tired in the fourth, and we were fresh because we were able to sub so effectively in the first half and get our guys some rest," Hurley said. "But, the experience definitely helped down the stretch, as well. Tim is a four-year varsity player and Tony and Charles have been up here for three years.

"They know when it's time to turn it on."

Salpointe (14-5) kept it close in its third game against the Panthers this season, after losing the first two matchups. Sophomore Cameron Denson led the Lancers with 15 points, his second-highest total of the season, and helped keep his team in the game along with strong play from seniors Talbott Denny, Alec Castaneda and Cory Carver.

"Salpointe is a real good team and we weren't taking anything for granted before this game," Lillard said. "We knew we'd have to play hard to win. It took a little bit for us to get going ."

Denny finished with 12 and Carver added 10.

Amphi won the showcase game of the event for the second straight year, beating Palo Verde in 2011. The team also played in the MLK Classic in 2010, beating Pueblo in a matinee game.

"It's real special for our guys," Hurley said. "Not all of them get the chance to go on and play in college, so to get to play on this stage and warm up where the UA warms up and sit on the benches - it's a big deal."