Cactus Shadows falls in coach’s return to Shadow Mountain
MARC BUCKHOUT ~MANAGING EDITOR ~ 1/25/2012

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Twelve years after helping the Shadow Mountain Matadors to a state championship Cactus Shadows boys basketball coach Jamaal Scott made his return.
While the Falcons defeated the Matadors on their home court, 75-72 on Jan. 10, the rematch on Friday, saw the current edition of the Matadors ruin Scott’s homecoming.
While the pregame introduction included a welcome of Scott, and recognition of his accomplishments as a Matador, his team felt anything but welcome in the return in suffering a 50-47 defeat, their third straight loss.
In falling to 9-7, the Falcons scored their lowest total of the season as they struggled to find holes in the host Matadors zone defense.
In a game in which neither team led by more than seven the Falcons went to the fourth quarter clinging to a 35-33 lead.
Offensively, though, the Falcons were at their worst in the fourth quarter, making only 3-of-12 shots. Included in that 25 percent shooting was a 1-of-8 effort from three point range.
Despite the poor shooting the Falcons still led 47-45 with 1:50 left in the game.
Down the stretch the Matadors got an offensive rebound putback from senior Matt Piccirillo to tie the score.
When they were most effective during the night the Falcons got the ball to the high post where the Falcons post men regularly found senior Eric Johnson along the baseline. Johnson and Mike Rabbini tied for team high honors with nine points.
In the game’s final two minutes, though, the Falcons missed a quick three pointer from senior Alec Stewart coming out of a timeout, saw senior Austin Horton shoot an air ball on a three pointer and had Horton get a shot blocked out of bounds.
Despite all the struggles the Falcons would still get one last chance, down 50-47. With 4.8 second left Cactus Shadows inbounded from half court. The team got the ball to junior C.J. Davis, but his desperation effort, that could have sent the game to overtime, was blocked, giving the Matadors the win.
While the loss ruined Scott’s homecoming, it also dropped the Falcons to No. 17 in the Division II power rankings with only six games remaining in the regular season. Only 16 teams will qualify for the state playoffs.
On Tuesday the Falcons played host to Thunderbird (results unavailable at press time). Tonight they go on the road to face Notre Dame before heading to Peoria on Thursday for their third game in three nights against the Panthers.
While the Cactus Shadows boys team had to settle for a split of the season series with the Matadors, the Falcons girls pulled off a split with Shadow Mountain, avenging a one
point loss earlier in the season with a 62-54 win.
The win halted a 6-game losing streak for the Falcons, who improved to 5-17
on the season.
On Tuesday the Falcons traveled to Thunderbird to take on the Chiefs (results unavailable at press time).
Tonight they return home to host Notre Dame before playing their final road game of the season Tuesday at Scottsdale Christian Academy.

BOULDER CREEK

The Boulder Creek Jaguars boys team (15-5) heads into the stretch run of the regular season needing to solidify themselves as a playoff team on the road.
Following Tuesday’s regular season home finale against Goldwater (results unavailable at press time) the Jaguars play their final four games outside of Anthem starting with a trip to Prescott Saturday. On Tuesday they’ll be in Glendale to face Deer Valley. Boulder Creek sits at No. 15 in the Division I power ratings.
The Boulder Creek girls team is on a roll heading down the stretch, riding what was a
six-game winning streak prior to Tuesday game at Goldwater (results unavailable at press time).
The season’s final four games start with a visit by Deer Valley on Thursday and then Prescott on Friday. The Jaguars play their final road game at Deer Valley, Tuesday, before closing the regular season on Feb. 3 against Salpointe Catholic.
The Jaguars sit at No. 15 in the Division I power rankings.
Games start at 7 p.m.