Second-seeded Salpointe Catholic holds off third-seeded Catalina Foothills, 56-50, at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Ariz. on Feb. 25, 2020, for a trip to Saturday's Class 5A state title game in Phoenix.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Jake Cioe (12) finds just enough room along the baseline to flip a pass under Catalina Foothills' Hayden Moser (14) in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Jordan Gainey (2) knocks the ball out of the grip of Catalina Foothills' Will Menaugh (33) in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's players rush the court after the buzzer in their 56-50 win against Catalina Foothills in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Jordan Gainey (2) gets dragged down by his jersey Catalina Foothills' Hayden Moser (14) on a drive in the fourth quarter of their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Catalina Foothills' Trace Comeau (3) reaches back to stuff Salpointe's Evan Nelson (5) in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Tommy Irish (0) slips under Catalina Foothills' Will Menaugh (33) on a drive in the second quarter in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Grant Weitman (13) gets it from both sides by Catalina Foothills' Carson Peabody (5), left, and Cody Blumenthal (12) in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Catalina Foothills' head coach Doug D'Amore tries to be heard over the din of the standing room only crowd in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Catalina Foothills' Charlie Curtis (2) can't draw the charge as Salpointe's Evan Nelson (5) goes over him on his way that bucket in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Grant Weitman (13) gets wrapped from behind by Catalina Foothills' Will Menaugh (33) on his shot in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Grant Weitman (13) dives under Catalina Foothills' Cody Blumenthal (12) in the fight for a loose ball late in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Jordan Gainey (2) looks for an outlet as he gets squeezed along the sideline by Catalina Foothills' Carson Peabody (5) and Trace Comeau (3) and in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Grant Weitman (13) gets battered by Catalina Foothills' Will Menaugh (33) on his drive in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Grant Weitman (13) no-looks a pass to teammate Evan Nelson (5) against Catalina Foothills' Carson Peabody (5) in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Catalina Foothills' Charlie Curtis (2), left, applies some real tight defense on Salpointe's Evan Nelson (5) during an inbounds situation in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's head coach Jim Reynolds has to work against a standing room only crowd to get his offense play called in against Catalina Foothills' in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Salpointe vs. Catalina Foothills in 4A state semifinal
Salpointe's Evan Nelson (5), top, and Jake Cioe (12) double team Catalina Foothills' Cody Blumenthal (12) on his drive in their state 4A semifinal at Salpiointe High School, February 25, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Lancers go small, outlast third-seeded Catalina Foothills to earn spot in Saturday's state championship game.
The Nighthawks made an improbable run as the Class 5A tournament's 10th seed after starting the season on a 2-7-2 record, going without a win for almost one month between Dec. 12 and Jan. 7.
Kevin Noria's two first-half goals set the tone for Carl Hayden, which outlasts the Blue Devils for the state crown.
The Falcons fall to Flagstaff in the state title game in Gilbert.
The latest in high school state basketball playoffs, one night after Salpointe Catholic topped Catlaina Foothills to reach the Class 4A state final.
Wildcats' coach has leaned on combination of Zeke Nnaji, Stone Gettings and even freshman Christian Koloko with Chase Jeter sidelined because of injury and inconsistency.