Basha put the cap on the 2022 portion of the 2022-23 boys hoops season Thursday night riding a strong second quarter that proved the difference in beating Highland, 72-60, for the championship of the annual McClintock Holiday Shootout at McClintock's Doc Zinke Gymnasium.

Basha remained perfect thus far notching its 17th victory.  The lone close call the Bears encountered thus far was in the tournament semis on Wednesday. They pulled out an 82-81 win over Desert Mountain with a late basket from freshman forward Elijah Summers-Livingston. Basha trailed Desert Mountain by seven with under two minutes left to win.

Another Basha freshman stood out in Thursday's title triumph. Guard Mason Magee tallied a team-high 19 points - eight in the first quarter and seven more in the fourth. Mason wasn't just good in the title game. His four days and games of play earned him Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. 

The championship game swung Basha's way thanks mainly to the second quarter. Basha outscored Highland 23-13 in the quarter for a 36-25 advantage at halftime. Seven players scored for Basha in the second quarter led by Torin Bosch's six points and five points each from Izaih Johnson and reserve Sam Zanoni. Four Bears finished in double figures scoring for the game - Magee, Bosch (15), Johnson (14) and Christian Warren (12).

Highland (13-2) got within five (51-46) in the first minute of the fourth quarter. The Hawks lost ground with 6:21 left, falling behind 55-46. They were able to trim the deficit to 63-58 with 2:23 left. Basha followed with a turnover with 2:06 to go.

That gave Highland a chance to make it a one-score game, but Highland's Michael Johnson couldn't connect on a three-point shot. Basha's Tyler Lalley, Magee and Warren combined to make six of seven free throws in the final 1:50 closing out the Hawks.