Nikko Pentelute's steal and ensuing layup in traffic with 1:10 to play gave Gilbert the lead for good and the Tigers edged sister-school Campo Verde, 61-59, in a 5A San Tan Region game at the Jungle.

Gilbert improved to 21-3 overall, 13-3 in power-ranking games and 5-1 in region. It was a rebound win from the Tigers last outing Tuesday, a last second 50-48 loss to Higley. Campo Verde dropped to 12-8 overall, 10-6 prg and 2-4 region. The Coyotes have been in the same region with Gilbert the past three seasons and are 0-6 in those games. The last four have been decided by seven points or less, including two double-overtime contests.

It was a game close from start to finish with the largest lead (Gilbert) six points very briefly. The teams managed seven lead changes in the final quarter. Campo Verde's final advantage was 56-55 with 2:37 left - a 10-foot jumper by Talen Moody. Over the next minute and 20 seconds, Gilbert missed two shots and committed one turnover; Campo Verde turned it over twice with the second leading to Pentelute's go-ahead tally.

Two more Campo Verde turnovers in the final 40 seconds prevented the Coyotes a chance to tie. Gilbert improved its lead in that span to 59-56 on a pair of Tyler Lubash free throws. Pentelute sealed the outcome with two free throws with 10.6 seconds left. Campo's Josh Campbell sank a meaningless three in the final three seconds.

Pentelute and KJ Perry paced Gilbert with 22 and 21 points, respectively. Both played steady offensively across all four quarters. Lubash scored five points - a long three and the two late free throws. Reed Shuey also scored in double figures for the Tigers, finishing with 10.

Campo Verde's Isaiah Kai, the Coyotes leading scorer, connected for 17 points. He did not score in the final quarter. Campbell added 11 points in a reserve role with three of his four baskets treys.

Both teams play region games in their next outings on Monday (Jan. 31). Gilbert visits Williams Field and Campo Verde hosts Higley.