Agua Fria goes on 16-4 run over the final five minutes to earn a 61-53 Class 4A Division I non-region triumph.

Six weeks ago Mesa Mountain View put the clamps on Corona del Sol on the Aztecs home floor with a 49-40 win the night of the 5A state championship football games. On Tuesday night Corona returned the favor. With guard Calaen Robinson playing his best all-around game of the season and the Aztecs defense clogging the middle after the first 12 minutes or so, Corona seized control and beat the Toros, 50-43, in a 5A Central Region game at Toro Gym.

There are quite a few outstanding young players who are developing. Look forward to seeing more.

Pioneers use long-range shooting and strong defense to turn back Desert Mountain 59-49 on Tuesday night.

The one area of Mesa Mountain View and its boys basketball game Monday night that was consistent was not one a coach wants.

It is another showcase event only with one difference in all the matchups -- they count for more than pride or rivalry.

Hamilton High has won most of the games that count so far this season. Friday night was no exception. The Huskies ended a three-game losing streak over the past two seasons to rival Chandler with another solid performance in taking a 67-46 boys basketball victory over the Wolves in a 5A-I Fiesta Region game at Hamilton.

With basketball teams comprised mostly of 10 to 15 players it is hard to find playing time for more than seven or eight on a roster most nights. Some can find time for up to 10. That juggling act is a choice administered carefully by hardwood mentors. Corona del Sol and Mesa Mountain View boys teams have encountered success in mixing and matching.

Firebirds should retain top spot in Class 5A-II power points. Team has three double-figure scorers.

Amphitheater and Arcadia would be right at the top of 4A-II schools without displaying boys basketball prowess since their schools begin with A. The way the schools are playing as January nears its midpoint has them eschewing an alphabetical hierarchy.

Moon Valley, Cortez, Apollo, Thunderbird and Greenway emerge victorious in Hoopin\' It Up at the Arena event.

Desert Vista boys pull away from St. Marys in the fourth quarter for a 20-point victory.

The household names for the Corona del Sol boys basketball team are not Rashidi Kabamba, Braden Tennyson and Nick Siefker. Those names, however, were music to the ears of Aztecs coach Sam Duane Jr. on Thursday night.