Trojan girls basketball won their semifinal game on Friday over Holbrook to advance to the state championship game last Saturday. The Trojans faced #2 Page in front of a crowd of 10,000 at Gila River Arena. A talented Page team kept the game close throughout the first half until the Sand Devils took a fourth quarter lead that looked insurmountable.
With 1:12 remaining in the game, Page went to the free throw line leading the Trojans by three and looking to put the game on ice. One reporter tweeted during the timeout, “VC is going to need some late game magic.” Both Page free throws missed and VC never quit.
The Trojans battled back, hitting free throws, getting steals, and ultimately ended with junior Anna Gorman going to the free throw line with eight seconds left and VC trailing by one. She sunk both in front of a raucous crowd and one last defensive stop by the Trojans gave the girls basketball program its first state championship since 2011.
With the win, it extends Valley Christian’s streak to 27 consecutive years winning an AIA state championship.
Senior Bethany Wolph led the Trojans with 15 points and senior Megan Timmer added 12 points and seven rebounds.
“We’ve been close before, and when Page took the lead they looked at each other and said ‘This isn’t going to happen,’” Coach Timmer told the East Valley Tribune.
“‘We are going to finish it until the last buzzer.’ That’s a life lesson. You don’t give up until it’s over.”
A big thank you to the large Valley Christian crowd at the championship game! The team could hear you on the floor and you helped motivate them to the title. Also, a thank you to the many alumni and families who followed the game and showed your support online!
Read stories of the game: