Amphitheater and Westwind Prep were 4A-II and 2A state boys basketball champs, respectively,  in 2011. They've stayed in the upper echelons of their new alignment this season -- Amphi in Division II and Westwind in D-I.

So Friday night's clash between them at Phoenix College was for some bragging rights and hefty power-point lift given that Amphi entered 10-1 and Westwind 9-2 in power-point games to date.

After trading solid quarters of play in the first half, Amphi's third period was the difference as the visiting Panthers pulled away for a 68-52 triumph.

Amphi senior guard Tim Derksen scored 16 of his game-high 29 points in the third quarter, the period Amphi coach Ben Hurley liked best even though the first period was impressive as well.

"The third quarter was the one I liked most," Hurley said. "We came out aggressive and responded to the same defense they played the first half. We wern't patient in the second quarter. Took quick shots and had some turnovers. That helped create points for them and they got back in the game."

Amphi (18-3, 11-1 ppg)  was fabulous in the opening period. The Panthers led 25-7 after the first eight minutes. They made 9-of-11 field goals and tallied off turnovers and transition for the most part. Every basket was high percentage.

The second period was just the opposite. Westwind reversed the roles using an 18-4 advantage in the quarter to slice the lead to 29-25 at halftime Amphi was just 2-for-15 from the field in the second quarter, in great  part due to more intensity from Westwind (13-7, 9-3 ppg).

"We played inspired int he second quarter, played really well," Westwind Prep coach Adam Desautels said. "But you can't play eight minutes of basketball and expect to win. We came out in the second half with everyone worrying about  offense. Not about playing defense."

Amphi didn't get as many opportunities on transition or with turnovers in the third period, but patience and the hot shooting (from everywhere) by Derksen took Westwind out of the game. Amphi outscored Westwind 23-9 in the third quarter. The Panthers were 9-of-14 from the field. Derksen was 7-of-8. Derksen sank two threes in the period from each baseline, a couple layups, a runne, a putback and scored off an inbounds pass underneath the basket.

"We played unselfish," Hurley said. "We made it a point to make and extra pass and it resulted in good shots and baskets. We did that to a tee the second half."

Center Charles Benson added 10 points, guard Ryan Farhat had nine and guard Tony Lillard chipped in with seven for Amphi. Damion Rashford led Westwind Prep with 17 points and Peewee Gardner had 13.