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Freshman Burries Scores 68 in Tigers’ 2OT Win
Globe freshman BJ Burries scored a Division IV state-record 68 points to lead the 16th-ranked Tigers to a 105 – 103 double-overtime victory against No. 13 Florence on Tuesday night. Tuesday was not the first time the freshman lit up the Gophers. He scored a then career-high 46 points in a 78 – 72 loss at Florence on Dec. 7, 2015.
According to the AIA, the previous Division IV record was held by John Hight of Superior, who scored 67 points against Hayden in 1954.
Burries’ record-setting point total is the second-highest in the state in any division, behind George McCormick of Fredonia, who scored 75 points against Salome in 1966.
Burries drained seven three-pointers and made 17-of-18 free throws in Tuesday’s win.
“It was a good game overall”, Burries told azcentralsports. “We kept it together and got that ‘W’ at the end.”
The teams battled back and forth throughout the first half before the Tigers took a 36 – 33 lead at halftime.
It was much of the same in the second half with Florence taking a 57 – 56 lead after outscoring Globe 24 – 20 in the third quarter.
Continuing the back-and-forth battle in the fourth, the Tigers outscored the Gophers by one-point in the final quarter to force the first overtime before the teams each scored 16 points to force the second overtime.
Globe was able to hang on, winning the second OT 14 – 12 to claim a hard-fought victory and remain undefeated in sectional play.
Upcoming schedule: Jan. 21 vs. Apache Junction and Jan. 26 vs. Gilbert Classical Academy. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Lady Tigers Win Consecutive Games for First Time This Season
The Globe girls’ basketball team won back-to-back games for the first time this season, including one in overtime and the other a one-point win.
The Lady Tigers defeated Arete Prep in overtime last Friday, 54 – 47. They followed that win with a 42 – 41 win against Florence on Tuesday night.
Three different players scored in double figures in the OT win against Arete Prep. Freshman Kayla Howard, who was named Player of the Game, totaled a team-high 19 points while Jerrica Hatch and Cedar Randal scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.
In the win against Florence, Player of the Game Jerrica Hatch, a junior, recorded 10 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three steals to lead the Lady Tigers.
Hailey Williams also scored 10 points in addition to grabbing four rebounds. Timecah Cosen had six points and five rebounds. Kayla Howard had a game-high six assists in the victory.
Upcoming schedule: Jan. 22 vs. Combs and Jan. 26 at Gilbert Christian. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Vandals Fighting for Playoff Berth
The No. 20-ranked Miami boys’ basketball is currently in position to secure a potential in next month’s state playoffs, which includes a 24-team tournament field.
But after going 2 – 2 in their last four games, including a 60 – 49 loss to top-ranked San Carlos on Jan. 19, the Vandals’ are on the cusp of missing a chance at a state championship.
Two of the Vandals’ final six sectional games are against teams currently ranked in the top 24 of the Division rankings. The other four against teams ranked No. 27 or lower.
It’s fair to say the Vandals can control their own destiny.
Upcoming schedule: Jan. 22 vs. Mogollon, Jan. 25 at Coolidge, at Jan. 27 at Superior. All games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Despite Loss, Braves Still Atop Rankings
Despite suffering only its third loss of the season and first in its last five games, the San Carlos boys’ basketball team remains the No. 1 team in Division V, according to the most recent AIA rankings.
After four consecutive following the holiday break, the Braves were defeated last Saturday by Thatcher, which is ranked ninth in Division IV, 58 – 50. They rebounded earlier this week with a 60 – 49 win against No. 20 Miami.
Only one of the Braves’ final five games is against a top-24 team – Feb. 2 at No. 22 Superior. The other four versus teams ranked No. 45 or lower.
Upcoming schedule: Jan. 22 at Ray and Jan. 26 at San Tan Foothills. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Thatcher Snaps Lady Braves’ Winning Streak
The second-ranked San Carlos girls’ basketball team had its 19-game winning streak snapped last Saturday by Thatcher, the No. 4-ranked team in Division IV, after a 41 – 35 loss.
After only their second defeat of the season, the Lady Braves returned home to defeat Miami 75 – 37 on Tuesday night for their 20th win of the season.
Maria Kozie (22) and Adrianna Haozous (20) combined to score 42 of San Carlos’ 75 points against Miami.
Haozous was 4-of-6 from three-point range while Kozie dished out a game-high seven assists. The senior teammates also recorded four steals each. Junior Kayla Dosela led the Lady Braves in two categories, grabbing seven rebounds and recording six steals in the victory.
The Lady Braves face, by far, the toughest of their remaining five games this Friday when they travel to No. 7 Ray, which has won seven of its last eight games, including the last five in-a-row.
Upcoming schedule: Jan. 22 at Ray and Jan. 26 at San Tan Foothills. Both games are scheduled for 5:30.
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
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