Sunrise Mountain and Sunnyside did all they could to keep the clock running in their game and seasons.

Those who benefited Wednesday from their all-out performances were the fans at Gila River Arena. It was quite a showing from Sunrise Mountain and Sunnyside, jam-packed with great shooting, drama and a Cinderella story that added another chapter to its playoff ball.

As the highest seeded team remaining in the postseason, the underdog label fits Sunrise Mountain because of its No. 19 bracket position. But a team with the long arms of Elijah Thomas on it is not a sleeper.

Thomas scored 30 points in 36 minutes, and Sunrise Mountain needed every point to continue dancing at Gila River Arena. Sunrise Mountain outlasted Sunnyside in double overtime, 80-77, to advance to the Division II state semifinals.

Thomas’ step-back jumper near the baseline gave his team a one-point cushion with 1:20 remaining in the second overtime. But Sunnyside’s Mikey Silva (27 points) responded with two free throws.

Chris Mullaney (season-high 21 points) hit three treys during a hot-shooting stretch for both teams in the first half, but his drive to the basket late in the 2^nd OT helped clinch the victory. Thomas hit two free throws with 2.0 left to ice it. Sunnyside sent the game to the 2^nd OT after Esteban Gutierrez hit a corner three to tie it at 71-71. Jacob Inclan scored 22 points and grabbed 12 boards for Sunnyside (23-6).

The first half was highlighted by the torrid three-point shooting of the teams and pace of the game. Sunrise Mountain shot 51 percent and made 13 of 25 from long distance.

To add to the entertainment value of the game, each team converted a 4-point play. Up next for Sunrise Mountain is a Saturday West Valley duel at Gila River Arena against Agua Fria in the state semifinals.

Agua Fria’s buzzer beater sends it to semis

At 6-feet-6, 250 pounds, Darnell Cowart is very agile.

He’ll lead the break and help complete it with a bounce pass. And watch out for Cowart’s occasional hip check.

But what Cowart did at the end of Wednesday’s is what really turned him into a big man. The senior hit a jumper in the lane as time expired in overtime, handing Agua Fria a 61-59 quarterfinal victory over Catalina Foothills.

Darnell Cowart with the buzzer beater in OT for @AguaFriaOwlsHS : pic.twitter.com/qOUbkuRH4X

— Jose E. Garcia (@AZPreps365Jose) February 25, 2016 Twitter

Coward’s shot hit the back end of the rim first but then rolled in. But Coward (15 points, 16 rebounds, 6 blocks) won’t be the only big man on Agua Fria’s campus Thursday.

Agua Fria’s little big-man, 5-foot-10 point guard Jordan McCants, hit big shots as well. McCants scored his team’s first points in overtime with a three from distance and also converted his four free throws in the final four minutes to complete his 22-point night.

Agua Fria trailed 21-18 at halftime but opened the second half with a half court trap to jump ahead 35-28. But Jared Irwin’s (17 points) four three pointers in the second half helped keep Catalina Foothills (21-9) in the game.

Catalina Foothills’ Sam Beskind’s 25 points led all scorers.  

Paradise Valley edges Nogales

In an evenly matched quarterfinal, Paradise Valley prevailed, 52-51, against a gamely Nogales.

Trailing 44-43, Paradise Valley turned the ball over after a timeout, but responded with two quick baskets to grab the lead for good. The first field goal came after a long pass from Dominic Rogiers to standout wide receiver Jacob Brown.

Brown followed that with another basket in transition after a Paradise Valley steal.

A Rogiers’ three put his team up 50-45 with 1:57 remaining. But Nogales’ Adalberto Diaz quickly answered with his fifth three of the game.

CJ Vanbeekum (12 boards) made both of his 1-and-1s with 20 seconds left for Paradise Valley’s final points. Paradise Valley (24-4) shot 52.4 percent in the first half to establish a 30-24 lead but went 8-27 (29.6%) in the second half.

The missed second half shoots and performances of Adalberto (24 points, 12 rebounds) and Jose Estrada (20 points) helped keep it close.

Shadow Mountain leaves no doubt

No. 1 seed Shadow Mountain knocked Flagstaff out early by trapping every chance it got.

Mike Bibby Sr.’s squad sprinted out to a 32-8 first quarter lead and never looked back during Shadow Mountain 73-45 state quarterfinal win. Bibby Jr. (24 points) went 7-11 from the field in the nightcap of Wednesday’s D-II quarterfinal games at Gila River Arena.

Shadow Mountain (25-5) will face Paradise Valley in Saturday’s semifinal with a deep team that already out raced Paradise Valley in the regular season. J.J. Rhymes added 16 points Wednesday for Shadow Mountain.