Stampede record 60-56 over Desert Mountain boys in 5A-II semifinal on Wednesday night.

Fourth-seeded Firebirds defeat top-seeded Pinnacle 61-58 in 5A-II semifinal.

Class 5A-II games feature three boys teams from Desert Valley Region and two girls teams.

Mountain View boys basketball coach Gary Ernst reminded his players at halftime of their quarterfinal matchup with Corona del Sol on Saturday night the importance of what was coming up. A halftime talk he has made many a time. \\\"I told them the first five minutes of the third quarter in a game like this is critical,\\\" Ernst said.

It speaks volumes of a team when its leading scorer averaging a tad under 20 points a game scores just three points and his team still wins the state championship handily. That team Saturday afternoon was 2010 4A-II bridesmaid Amphitheater. The Panthers capped a brilliant 29-2 campaign with a more than decisive 87-77 boys basketball victory over Tempe High at Jobing.com Arena.

Apaches have a chance to win their first state title since 1983 on Saturday against Saguaro.

Guard Jack Connors hits a three-pointer and two key free throws in the fourth quarter.

Wolverines pick up the intensity on defense and convert 18 free throws in the fourth quarter to seal 65-54 win.

Both teams have advanced to the quarterfinals, girls on Friday and boys on Saturday.

Red Mountain boys basketball coach Greg Sessions saw a film (actually a game) in November called The Battle of Red Mountain & North. He saw it a second time in December. Witnessed it a third time Wednesday night. He is still searching for the alternate ending. For the third time since just before Thanksgiving, Red Mountain had defending 5A-I state champ North on the ropes for a half or better. And for the third time Wednesday, North came back in the second half to turn away the Mountain Lions, 69-62, this time in the first round of the 2011 state tournament at North High School.

Top seeds: Kellis (4A-I boys), Amphitheater (4A-II boys), Shadow Mtn. (4A-I girls), Flagstaff (4A-II girls).

Top competitors are on display in the Class 3A boys and girls tournaments this week.