Desert Vista came out swinging Tuesday night and never let up for 32 minutes. 
One year removed from a heartbreaking loss in the Open state title game, the Thunder opened up the 2025 postseason with a convincing, 50-31 victory over visiting Perry in a first round Open Division playoff contest. 
Senior Trinity Jones led all scorers with 19 points, with teammates Saniyah Jones and Cherri Hatter adding nine apiece for the Thunder. 
But the defense dictated the game, as 14th seeded Desert Vista (14-12) stifled No.19 Perry (14-12) early with a sweltering full court press, holding the Pumas to three points in the first quarter on 1-for-8 shooting. Hatter, a star freshman averaging 20 points a game, capped the first quarter with a long distance 3-pointer to give the Thunder an 11-3 lead. 

Even without the full court pressure, the Desert Vista defense disrupted Perry's offensive rhythm all game long.  
"That was our plan going in was getting them misplaced and uncomfortable offensively," Desert Vista coach Erin O'Bryan said. 
"I think we did a good job of that all night. I think we're a lot better now than earlier in the season. It took us a while to figure out our strengths...we have length and we have speed at the same time, and we had to find the right places to put the kids."
Trinity Jones was the lone starter from last year's Open runner-up squad. She's helped this team mature over the season and Tuesday night was a great example with her play on both sides of the court. "It's really important getting the opponent uncofmortable if possible," Jones said of the defensive game plan. "Teams can make good decisions when theyre comfortable, so our goal was to make them uncomfortable and I think we did a really good job with that especially early on. (Perry) fought its way back in the second quarter, but our offense began to pick up as well."

 

Perry's Alexis Fenn knocked down an early second quarter 3-pointer, and Maci Hess added two buckets, but Desert Vista's offense warmed up at the same time, with good ball movement which set up high percentage shots in the paint. Hatter scored six of her points in the second quarter and Kiah Simpson connected on a 3-pointer, helping the Thunder to a 25-14 lead at halftime. An 8-0 run to start the third quarter gave Desert Vista a commanding 33-14 lead, and Perry never got closer than 12 points the rest of the game.

Desert Vista edged Perry 71-67 earlier in the season.The Pumas 31 points Tuesday night was their second lowest of the year.

"Desert Vista had an amazing game plan tonight and they deserve credit," said Perry coach Andrew Curtis afterward. "They did a great job with the defensive pressure. We'll have to regroup." Perry made an unexpected run to last season's 6A championship game before falling to O'Connor, so the Pumas still have plenty to play for, as they'll wait until the week's end to find out their first round 6A opponent and seeding. Senior Maci Hess led Perry with 13 points.

Coach O'Bryan insisted Desert Vista's goal is an Open championship, "but each game becomes more difficult."

The Thunder is facing a tough test next Thursday as it travels to No. 3 seed Gilbert (21-6) for a second round matchup. The Tigers beat Prescott Tuesday night, 72-49.

"It's important we take things one game at a time," Trinity Jones added.