By Don Ketchum

Earning a spot in its first state championship game feels good to the boys basketball team from Laveen Betty H. Farifax, but winning it all would feel even better.

The Stampede, in just their third varsity season, will have that chance on Friday at 3 p.m. when they face Scottsdale Chaparral for the Class 5A Division II championship.

Betty H. Fairfax advanced after defeating Scottsdale Desert Mountain 60-56 in a late game on Wednesday night at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale.

The Stampede, coached by Don Dominguez, raised their record to 22-7 with four double-figure scorers. Pierre Newton led the way with 18 points, Marcel Govan had 17, Jovan Wright had 12 and LeJon Johnson had 10.

Randy Azuogu had 17 points to lead Desert Mountain (21-8). Austin Cooke had 14 points and 10 rebounds and was 4-for-6 in three-point shooting.

After Cooke hit a three-pointer with the clock winding down in the game, Newton hit a pair of free throws with 3.5 seconds to ice it.