The inaugural Open Division state girls basketball tournament reached round two on Thursday night. #3 Seton Catholic, a power no matter what conference it's competed in over the years, has represented 4A well thus far. The Sentinels defeated 4A Sahuaro in the first round Tuesday. Their second round challenge was #14 6A Mesa High.

A strong first-half - with a 16-9 edge in the Sentinels second quarter the key - guided their 53-42 victory over the Jackrabbits at McMahon Gymnasium.

Seton improved to 22-6. The Sentinels have eight days off before competing Feb. 17 in the Open quarterfinals against 5A Millennium. Millennium outlasted 6A Sandra Day O'Connor, 58-52, to reach the quarterfinals. 

Seton's starting five supplied all the scoring and did so in balanced fashion. Senior Amelie Cartagena tallied 16 points, scoring eight in each half. Junior Caitlyn Benally was next with 13. The sophomore trio of Sophie Morales, Mia DiPuccio and Carmella Gallardo checked in with eight points apiece. Mesa's lone player to score in double figures (no surprise) was senior guard Ashiian Hunter with 18 points.

The game opened with Seton taking a 9-0 lead in the first 4 1/2 minutes. Mesa settled in at that point, shaving the deficit to 16-12 by quarter's end. High-percentage shots were numerous for Seton in the second quarter with four of its five baskets short post-ups or layups. DiPuccio scored six of her eight points in the quarter as the Sentinels' lead grew to 32-21 at halftime.

Mesa managed to whittle the deficit to 36-30 with 1:44 left in the third quarter.  The Jackrabbits nine points in the quarter were three treys - one each by Josalyn McGuire, Hunter and Tilley Cummard. Seton, however, didn't allow Mesa any closer, bumping its lead back to 11(41-29) heading to the fourth. Mesa didn't get closer than 10 in the final quarter.

Seton scored just one basket in the fourth quarter, but shot half of its 26 free throws in the quarter. The Sentinels connected on 10 of 13 free throws in the fourth and 19 of 26 for the game (73 percent).