Fountain Hills showed some resolve during the second half against a tough opponent, No. 1 seed San Carlos, during its Thursday 62-57 win at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum to advance to the 2A final.

San Carlos made its first six shots to open the second half, including three treys by senior Caylee Longstreet, to jump ahead 38-27. But Fountain Hills’ defense allowed the Falcons to rally down the stretch.

“It’s just the defense, man,” Fountain Hills coach Tom Ferrington said. “That’s something we’ve talked about all year. That was going to be our calling card, and we just had to lock it in defensively." 

The No. 4 seed also made some big shots to get back in the game. 

Three pointers by Taleigha Bonnaha and Camilla Levin in front of their bench helped knot the game at 47-47 with 5:40 left. The game was also tied at 52-52 and 57-57 after the first of two free throws, with 47.6 left, by Bonnaha, who scored a game-high 22 points. 

The senior guard missed the second free throw, but in came Kynzi Schaunaman to the rescue. Her left-handed putback to grab a 59-57 lead finally put her team in front for good during the final seconds. 

“My teammates told me the entire game to just go up strong, and I heard them while I got the ball,” said Schaunaman (13 boards), who helped her team outrebound San Carlos 39-29. “Something that I’ve been working with my coach is a left-handed hook. So I was like, ‘Why not.’" 

With Longstreet (15 points, 6 steals) and Kylee Juan (14 points, 10 rebounds) fouling out late in the game, finding ways to score in the end proved difficult for San Carlos. 

Minus the 2020 Covid season, this was the 12th consecutive season that San Carlos (20-8) reached the postseason, including its fourth semifinal trip. 

But the Braves, who put up a great fight, are still searching for their first ever trip to a final. As for Fountain Hills (25-3), the Falcons will make their first title trip since winning a crown during their only other title appearance (2014).           

“It’s crazy,” said Schaunaman about going to the final. "As a senior, it’s a really amazing experience and happy to be able to do this."

St. Johns is title bound, too

St. Johns (30-5) finally got over its state semifinal hump after defeating Arizona Lutheran Academy 48-34 to advance to its first title game since 2009. 

“Borderline indescribable,” said 11-year St. Johns coach Ray Davis about finally getting to the big game.

St. Johns lost in the semis about six times in the last 10 years or so, Davis said.  

Credit the team’s defense for helping the Redskins get to Saturday's final and rebound after a slow start. St. Johns fell behind 9-2 early before calling a 30 second timeout to settle down. 

Helping also turn the tide was a freshman, Jordyn Tsinajinnie, who recorded a couple of baskets and steals after the timeout with 2:08 left in the first period. 

Tsinajinnie and Arizona Lutheran’s Kayla Wendt led all scorers with 11 points each. St. Johns was outrebounded 32-30, but outscored Arizona Lutheran (23-9) 32-10 in the paint.  

St. Johns scored 18 of its 25 first half points in the paint. St. Johns also double teamed every chance it got to get back in the game, helping it score 17 points off turnovers in the first half.