Prince James Story is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Edge High School for AZPreps365.com

With Shay Cain, the 4A West Valley Region player of the year, leading the way with 22 points, the Desert Edge boys basketball team defeated Tempe, 53-47, in the first round of the 4A state tournament Wednesday night.

Every member of the Scorpions starting five was named to one of the 4A West Valley all-region teams.  

Senior Amarei Hunter was named first team All-Region and was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year. Hunter was runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year as a junior.

“When I heard I was defensive player of the year, I was about to cry,” Hunter said. “This year as a senior getting defensive player of the year was heartbreaking.” 

Jake Clapper joined Hunter and Cain on the first team. Adrian Banuelos and Damaryea’ Cox earned second team honors.

Cain said the Scorpions wanted to make a statement with Wednesday's game and had something to prove after an early exit from last year's playoffs. 

“We got to the first round of the playoffs and lost to Deer Valley,” Cain said. “Coming into this game, we all just focused in, and I told everyone that we all need to play 100%, which we did.” 

 The Scorpions' defense was a significant factor in their early success on the offensive end. 

Tempe struggled against Desert Edge's 1-2-2 full-court press. The Buffaloes committed multiple turnovers, which led to easy transition baskets and enabled the Scorpions to take a 19-5 first quarter lead.

Tempe's first basket in the second quarter came with 4:45 to go in the quarter, which ended a nine-minute dry stretch in which they were held scoreless. 

The Scorpions led 36-14 at halftime. 

Coming out of halftime, the tide flipped, and the Buffaloes were the aggressors. They started the third quarter on a 12-4 run. At the 2:15 mark in the quarter, they cut the Scorpions lead down to 14 points, 40-26.

The Scorpions then went on an 8-2 run in the last two minutes of the quarter, which extended their lead back to 20 points.

“These opportunities to play high school basketball come few and far between. You don’t know how many more you are going to get,” Tempe coach Tom Saltzstein told his team before the fourth quarter. “Enjoy the opportunity and make sure you leave every ounce of effort that you have out there on the floor.”

Their second unit provided a boost of energy off the bench. Tempe played hard to the final buzzer and outscored Desert Edge 19-5 in the fourth quarter.

Cain fouled out early in the fourth quarter, and without him the Scorpions' offense stagnated.

“I just wanted to make a statement with this game, honestly,” Cain said. “Next game, we got Paradise Honors, which is the team we lost to earlier in the season, so I just wanted to send a message that we are coming for them next.” 

Desert Edge(14-3) will play at Paradise Honors(18-2) in the quarterfinals at 7 p.m. Saturday.