After a near complete makeover from last season, it appears that Gilbert is still the team to beat in the 6A Fiesta region.

The Tigers overcame a sluggish start before a dominant second half culminated in a 54-33 victory Friday night at Williams Field. Four different players hit 3-pointers for Gilbert (11-6), while the defense held Williams Field (15-3) to 15 second half points.

Junior Aspen McClees scored eight of her game high 15 points in the fourth quarter to help put the game away. Her lone 3-point basket near the end of the third quarter gave the Tigers a 10 point lead heading into the fourth.

"We kind of got a off to a slow start and the first half was sluggish," first year coach Savannah Bix said afterward. "(Williams Field) had a good gameplan to take Aspen out of it, which worked early. But it was a better second half and we shot the ball well. We got contributions from a lot of people tonight."

Freshman Contessa Ivy (13 points) kept Gilbert ahead in the first half with three 3-point field goals. Seniors Khalia Dana (13 points) and Emma Carrasco (9 points) also connected from beyond the arch three times.

Willilams Field only lead came briefly at the start of the second quarter when Sophia Carnes knocked down a 3-pointer for an 11-10 lead. But Ivy responded with a 3-point field goal of her own, and Gilbert eventually took a 23-18 halftime lead. Carnes opened the third with another 3-point shot to get the Blackhawks within two points (23-21) but the Tigers went on a 7-0 run and eventually took a 10 point lead into the fourth quarter.

"We knew Gilbert could shoot the three and they're dangerous when they get streaky," Williams Field coach Brandon Montoya said. We felt we had a good gameplan going in and it worked for a while."

Dana and Carrasco opened up the fourth quarter with back to back 3-point field goals before McClees began working the ball down low. Williams Field was held to five points in the fourth quarter.

McClees, a junior, is Gilbert's most experienced player and leading scorer, but other pieces are taking shape. 

"We lost some kids to transfer and gained some as well, but Aspen has been an anchor," said Bix, who added that Ivy's older sister Isabella will become eligible next week after transferring from Perry.

Addison Ramirez and Corrine Jones led Williams Field with eight points each.