(Page won the Division IIi girls title. Photo by Jim Willittes/maxpreps.com)

The same name appeared almost 20 percent of the time on Page’s schedule — Tuba City.

How fitting that they met at the end of the Division III 2014-15 season, and in the state championship game no less. Page was the favorite in Saturday’s D-III final at Gila River Arena and played like it at the start of the championship game.  

But Tuba City bounced back just like it did all season when hardships (injuries, illnesses) arrived at its doorstep. But Page also showed some resiliency down the stretch to end its season on a winning note.

Page’s strong second half helped it overcome a poor second quarter and put an end to an opponent that displayed a lot of grit this season and during Page’s 54-42 victory. It was the sixth meeting between the teams, all won by Page.

Page was outscored 21-2 in the second period after ending the first quarter with a 19-8 advantage. Tate Tsingine’s 20 first half points and Tuba City’s defense helped slowed Page down in the second quarter.

But the roles reversed in the second half. Guard Ember Sloan scored 23 points for Page, which seized control of this game during a seven-plus minute stretch of the third quarter.

Page proved it was worthy of the No. 1 seed in the tournament, wrapping up its season with a 35-1 record.

“They (Page players) say it every day, ‘We are sisters,” Page coach Justin Smith said. “They are family. They are close. They did it for each other.”

Snowflake wins first title since 1989

                    (Snowflake won the D-III boys title. Photo by Jim Wilittes/maxpreps.com)

Nothing gets between the bond that Snowflake’s players have for each other and the same can be said for Combs’ unified bunch.

But a state basketball championship trophy can’t be shared. For not fading when it trailed by 14 points and putting away a worthy opponent in the end, Snowflake went home with a 57-52 win and the big prize in Saturday’s D-III boys title tilt showdown.

Snowflake used a 15-4 run at the end of the third quarter to get back in the game.

“Just keep believing that things would go their ways,” said Snowflake coach Andy Wood about what he told his team when it trailed by 14 in the third quarter. “Hard work pays off.”

After two free throws put Snowflake up 49-47, it never lost the lead during the remainder 2:37 of the game.  

Snowflake’s Jordan Gardner and Travis Flake combined to score 24 points and collect 21 rebounds to help end Combs’ 27-game win streak.

Aby Carter, Combs’ versatile weapon and likely the top player in D-III this season, had another monster game with 21 points, 18 rebounds and five blocks.

“What a great group of guys,” said Wood, whose program won its first boys basketball title since 1989. “It’s a team. There are no superstars. I love every single one of them. They are a team. No selfishness.”

Six of Snowflake’s basketball players were starters on the school’s state runner up football team.

Arcadia advances to first title game

The Arcadia boys executed in the end to down Nogales 55-50 and advance to the Division II state championship game Monday at Gila River Arena.

Arcadia was only up 46-45 with 3:48 left in its Saturday game, but it patiently worked the ball around for a couple of baskets while Nogales turned the ball over during four consecutive trips. Arcadia scored 22 points off turnovers.

Nogales was up 23-22 at halftime, when Arcadia shot 50 percent but allowed Nogales’ Aldaberto Diaz to score 12 points on 6 of 9 shooting.

“They (Nogales) was physical, and we weren’t ready for that physicality,” Arcadia’s Connor Nichols said.

But Arcadia limited Aldaberto to three points in the second half.

Nichols led his team with 12 rebounds and 14 points. Forward Avonte Nelms blocked four shots for No. 10 Arcadia (22-9), a first time participant in a boys state basketball championship game.

Team effort sends Gilbert Christian to final

Gilbert Christian’s team effort weathered the second half scoring show of Shadow Mountain’s Craig Randall to advance to the Division II state boys final Monday with a 87-74 win.

Four players scored in double figures for Gilbert Christian, including bench player Dontez Thomas, who scored 17 of his team’s 24 points from the bench. Mitch Lightfoot got into early foul trouble but still contributed 10 rebounds and 12 rebounds in 21 minutes for Gilbert Christian.

Randall scored 15 points during one stretch in the second half to keep his team in the game, but Gilbert Christian pulled away.

Gilbert Christian’s Cameron Satterwhite and Shadow Mountain’s JJ Rhymes each scored 21 points in a battle featuring likely the top two teams in D-II.