In an international tournament with 112 teams from New York to California, Canada and even Australia, local schools Red Mountain and Horizon found themselves squaring off Wednesday night at the Nike Tournament of Champions.

Neither team disappointed.

Red Mountain held off a furious second half comeback from Horizon to secure a 52-46 victory in what was a matchup between two of Arizona's better 6A teams at the Legacy Sports Complex in southeast Mesa.

Junior Macy Johnson led the Mountain Lions with a game high 17 points, including eight in the final quarter which included a clutch three point shot. Johnson was also 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the final minutes, helping Red Mountain seal the win after Horizon had roared back from a late 13 point deficit to get within three points of the Lions late in the contest.

Red Mountain improved to 11-3 on the season. Horizon is 7-5.

"That got a little scary a few times in the second half, but we were able to pull through at the end," Johnson said afterward.

"We may have gotten a little comfortable, and Horizon played really well in the second half."

Red Mountain led 19-13 after one quarter as all five starters scored. The second quarter saw Horizon struggle from the field, as Red Mountain clamped down defensively, holding the Huskies to only three second quarter points. One minute into the third quarter, the Mountain Lions held a 30-16 lead over Horizon.

That's when the Huskies point guard Mia Brown took over. 

On two consecutive posessions, the senior connected on a three point field goal, before hitting a short jumper while getting fouled. Later in the quarter, another three pointer from Brown followed by a trio of free throws from center Paisy Perkins, and Horizon was back within six (36-30) entering the fourth quarter.

Macy Johsnon starting warming up again for Red Mountain, leading the Lions on a 9-0 run and appearing to put the game away with a 43-30 lead. But Horizon had no quit.

Peyton Schiltz hit a three point field goal that sparked a 16-6 Husky run, with Brown and Noel Gallegos combining for 11 of those points.

"(Brown) was killing us with her three pointers in the second half," Johnson added.

Red Mountain clung to a 49-46 lead with 1:45 to play in the game, but the Lions were able to close the deal.

Senior Makaia Jenkins drove down the right side of the lane before knocking down a floating one hander from near the baseline that provided the dagger for Horizon. Johnson connected on three more free throws in the final seconds for the Mountain Lions. 
 

Brooklyn Henderson added 11 points for Red Mountain while Jenkins finished with eight for the Mountain Lions. Mia Brown led Horizon with 16.

Coincidentally, the Mountain Lions will play against a local team for the second consecutive day when they face McClintock on Thursday.

Nevertheless, as with most of the Arizona teams playing in the Nike event, Johnson and her Red Mountain team have enjoyed the week.

"It's a really good oppportunity to get to see all these great teams. We've played against schools from Texas and Colorado which has been a good challenge for us. It will help us step it up and be ready for the region games."