The road to championship basketball brings with it many changes in scenery. None is bigger than the move to large arenas, a far cry from the usual high school gymnasium.

Spaces like Grand Canyon University Arena, home of Friday’s 4A girls basketball semifinals, bring bigger challenges than adjusting to the larger capacity. Solid walls behind the backboard are replaced with more seating and scrolling video boards. That dynamic backdrop can cause a problem with shooting — especially at the free-throw line.

Try telling that to the Seton Catholic Sentinels.

In their 30-26 victory over the No. 3 Mesquite Wildcats, 12 of No. 2 Seton’s points came on free throws.

Defense took the spotlight in a low-scoring affair between the Desert Sky rivals. The winning team in both of their regular season meetings scored more than the combined point total of Friday’s 4A semifinal.

With field goals at a premium, Seton’s free-throw prowess allowed them to capitalize on a physical game that saw them go to the line 10 times.

The bulk of those opportunities came in the first half and the Sentinels made the most of them, shooting 10-for-12 from the line.

Seton head coach Karen Self said it’s been a focal point for her team while chasing their ninth championship appearance in 10 years.

“We haven’t been a particularly strong free-throw shooting team this season,” Self said. “Every single day in the playoffs we extend practice and shoot free throws for a half-hour.”

That extra preparation paid off in a big way, making a path to the rim in the face of Mesquite’s stout defense. Senior McKenna Klecker was responsible for nearly half of the Sentinels’ points on foul shots, going 5-for-6.

Their shooting fell off later, hitting 1-of-4 from the line in the fourth quarter. Seton’s focus had shifted to preservation. A quick 6-0 start to the final period gave them a lead they didn’t surrender.

Clock management, defense and rebounding were the focus at the end. The Sentinels notched 12 rebounds in the final quarter, limiting the Wildcats to two points.

Sophomore Amanda Barcello was a big driver of that defense, with 10 rebounds in the contest. “There was pressure from Mesquite, but we knew it was coming. We gave defense right back and gave our own pressure,” she said.

It’s the ability to target weaknesses and turn them into strengths that has carried Seton to five consecutive championship games. That resilience and dedication shows up everywhere.

“We always knew that we've done it before and we can do it again,” senior Kendyl Thompson said. “Having trust in your teammates, and especially in the free throws in the long stretch. Having faith in each other and in our preparation is what was really important to us."

Seton (16-2) faces another change of scenery as they head to Gila River Arena for the 4A championship game against No. 1 Shadow Mountain (17-1) at 5 p.m. on Saturday. The two teams met on Dec. 4 at Shadow Mountain and the Matadors won 51-43.