It’s classic battle of stylesFriday. Defense has been the staple for top ranked Brophy Prep (22-1), holding teams to an average of under 50 points per game. Pinnacle (18-6) is the opposite, scoring an average of over 70 points on the offensive end.

Brophy head coach Matt Hooten recognizeshis team will need to play to its strengths to come out with its 11th straight win. “At this time of year you have to be who you are, we’ve been really focused on defense and rebounding all season long and we’re going to have to continue to make that the focus.”

Senior forward Jaxson Baker added: “Their style of offense is somewhat different from the teams we’ve been playing lately.” Baker agreed with his coach, saying, “Defense is going to be extremely important, they put up a lot of shots and score a lot of points, and our game plan is set up to combat those things.”

To stop Pinnacle’s explosive offense and its 10-game winning streak, Brophy will need to slow down guard Nico Mannion, who is averaging 23 points and over six assists in his sophomore season.

Junior guard Marques White takes the matchup with Mannion personally. "I play with him on my club team. We go at it during practice and we have a good friendship, but when it’s game time it’s me versus him just like any other opponent.”

Added Hooten: “He’s a fantastic player, one of the best I’ve seen this year. We’ll have to defend him as we have all year, as a team, it’s not going to be one guy’s responsibility.”

Brophy senior point guard Ian Burke is confident the Broncos are prepared. “We have a game plan set down. I think the most important thing for us is just to execute, and do what we’ve been doing all season.”

Baker added: “It’s going to be a great game, execution both offensively and defensively will help us get the win. It’s going to be on our home floor on our homecoming night, it’s going to be a great crowd, with great energy. I think along with all those things, if we do what we’re supposed to do, that will help us win the game.”

Brophy has had its share of close games, and its record reflects the team’s ability to thrive amongadversity. The team knows this game may offer similar challenges.

“We have to come in together as a team, as a family, like we’ve been doing all season, just having composure and coming together as a cohesive unit.” said White.

Burke concurred. "Pinnacle is a great scoring team, their going to get their runs, but sticking together and withstanding those runs will be the biggest thing for us.”

Hooten knows the magnitude of the matchup with Pinnacle. “It’s the next game, it’s the most important game, but at the end of the day it’s one game, and we’ll approach it that way, putting everything into going out and competing on Friday.”

Tip-off is 7 at Brophy College Prep.