Hamilton's girls basketball team endured a hiccup in mid-December with all three of it losses taking place in a 13-day period. That bump in the road appears to be over and has been transferred to the Huskies latest conquest -- Xavier Prep.

Hamilton, the defending big-school state champs, used a 20-5 advantage in the second period on Tuesday night to set it on the path to a 58-43 victory over Xavier in a 6A Premier Region game at Xavier Prep.

Hamilton is now 15-3 overall and 3-0 in region play. Xavier won its first 14 games and closed December with a loss to Sierra Linda  Red Mountain Holiday Classic. The Gators have followed up with region losses to Chandler and Hamilton.

Hamilton's win was led by junior all-around talent Maddie Frederick and senior post Maya Banks. Frederick was adept in all facets and led the Huskies with 16 points -- 11 in the first half. Banks checked in with 13 and added 15 rebounds unofficially. Senior Hannah White, bounciing back from off-season knee surgery, chippped in with 12 points making 5 of 7 shots and taking the ball to the basket. aggresslively.

Hamilton's lull took place with Frederick either limited or unavailable in the losing stretch due to a toe fracture. Frederick sat out three weeks. Hamilton coach Trevor Neider is glad to have her back and sees his team getting back in synch.

"She could have kept playing, but when we found out it was broken it seemed the right time to sit her," Neider said. "She's back and in as good a shape as anyone."

Xavier (14-3, 2-2 region) came up sharp in the first period. The Gators enjoyed a 16-14 lead after the first eight minutes with junior forward Montana Oltrogge (game-high 18 points) and sophomore point guard Leilani McIntosh (six points) leading the cause.

Hamilton caught fire in the second period with defense and transition sparking an 18-4 run that resulted in a 13-point halftime lead.

"Once we were able to get a couple stops, that got us going," Neider said. "We were able to get out and run."

From the second quarter on, Hamitlon was comfortable on the run or in half court. They showed patience in half court and got many of the same shots they gained in transition because of that patience.

Hamilton connected on 14 of 22 shots i964 percent) n the first half. The only perimeter makes were a three from Courtney Colleary in the first quarter and a Frederick 10-foot jumper in the second. Banks got untracked in the second period, scoring nine of her 13 points .

After shooting 50 percent and getting good shots and lots of penetration from McIntosh in the first period, Xavier struggled to put points on the board -- 27 over the final three periods. The final three quarters the Gators were 11-for--37 from the field. 

Hamilton and Xavier have two games each left this week. Hamilton visits North on Thursday and plays host to region co-leader Chandler on Friday. Xavier visits Desert Ridge on Thursday to try and end its skid and then hosts 5A power Mesquite on Friday.