Javon Bardwell had his best practice this week as a Desert Mountain player.

Scratch that.

“In his whole life,” Desert Mountain head coach Mitch Armour said.

But Bardwell wasn’t the only freshman who elevated his game in a key non-region 5A duel.

Point guard Mekhi Walcott also wowed the home crowd Tuesday during a Desert Mountain 67-55 victory that tested its mettle against 14-3 Casteel.

Casteel apparently wasn’t impressed that Desert Mountain opened as the No. 1 Open team in the power rankings. The Wolves, playing without Kalek House, who was sick, fell behind 21-11 by the second quarter.

Casteel’s box-and-1 against House’s twin brother, scoring threat Kaden, took the sophomore out of the game early.

But an and-1 opportunity by Kaden, Desert Mountain’s defensive intensity and Bardwell and Walcott’s play sparked a rally that allowed the Wolves to jump ahead and stay there.

The long, lean and versatile Bardwell knifed his way to the hoop for baskets and showed off his range from beyond the arc as well.

“The stuff that we did in practice I just put it in the game,” Bardwell said. “Just passing and moving without the ball. Talking on defense.

“We played great team ball and played through adversity.”

Freshman Javon Bardwell was all smiles after playing his best game as a Desert Mountain player so far. (Jose Garcia/azpreps365)Walcott was a pest on defense, and the point guard also was great off the dribble while making his share of baskets.

Armour, Walcott (18 points) and Kaden (23 points) scored all of the baskets during a 20-7 run to end the first half. Armour scored 10 of his 20 points in the second quarter.

Freshman Mekhi Walcott flashed his quickness and ball handling abilities Tuesday night at home. (Jose Garcia/azpreps365)“We trusted other teammates today more than what we have,” Armour said.

Casteel has turned things around under the direction of veteran coach Aaron Windler.

It’s one win away from matching its victory total from last year, when it beat Desert Mountain in the regular season. But on Tuesday, Casteel's leading scorer, Aiden Schmidt (24 points), was the only Casteel player who scored in double figures.

Desert Mountain wound up reaching the Open semifinals last year, losing to eventual champ Perry. There’s still plenty of basketball to be played this season.

But 12-4 Desert Mountain (Only loss to an Arizona team was to 6A Pinnacle.) may have found more weapons to help it make another playoff run.