By Don Ketchum

For the last several years under coach Todd Nelson, the Tolleson High girls basketball team has made a living with a defense that left opponents gasping for breath. The Wolverines have a couple of Class 5A Division II titles to show for it, including last year.

On Tuesday night, Tolleson found out what it feels like to be on the opposite end.

It was host Chandler Hamilton putting on the defensive pressure, and by game’s end, Tolleson did not know which way was up as the Class 5A Division I hosts poured it on for a 68-48 victory.

Hamilton coach Jeff Kain said it was one of his team’s better defensive efforts of the young season.

“From Day One, we’ve talked about playing solid defense,’’ he said. “We held (Gilbert) Mesquite to 26 points and (Glendale) Mountain Ridge to 27, and they are two pretty good teams. We did very well again tonight. The defense allowed our offense to take our shots.’’

Hamilton grabbed an early lead, only to have Tolleson rally for a two-point lead at the end of the first quarter. But Hamilton’s defense got back in rhythm, helping create a 20-9 run, and the Huskies never looked back after that.

Hamilton continued to swarm in the third and into the fourth. Everything Tolleson tried to do seemed to go nowhere. The players stood around at both ends of the floor.

“How have we morphed into this?’’ Nelson wondered aloud.

“We wanted to keep the pressure on them and then back off, forcing them to shoot from outside and hoping that their legs would be a bit shaky. I guess it worked,’’ Kain said.

On offense, Hamilton “shared’’ the ball well, according to Kain.

Senior forward Chelcee Pullam did a good job inside, scoring 22 points for the Huskies. Lauren Evans and Cassidee Ranger each scored 12.

Bri White scored 14 points to lead Tolleson, and Syerra Davis added 11.