Senior Paris Rasheed-Moore said the mindset for Xavier Prep in the playoffs is simple. "We want to make history.”

The Gators are one step closer to their second straight state championship after beating the Desert Vista Thunder 61-29 Wednesday night.

Coach Jennifer Gillom attributed the defense for shutting down their top players.

“When we play good defense, it just changes everything,” Gillom said.

The Gators ended the first quarter on a 19-3 run and never looked back.

“When you play like that, in the first round of a playoff game, that’s amazing,” Gillom said. “This is what I’ve been trying to get these girls to do long before this night.”

Senior Leilani McIntosh led the way for the Gators with 21 points in only three quarters.

The No. 2 seed also received an unexpected spark from junior Elysia Fleetwood, who scored 16 points.

“I’m going to do my part to contribute,” Fleetwood said. “It showed today, I really do belong on this team.”

Xavier Prep (24-4) is now looking forward to its second round matchup against the Chandler Wolves at 7 p.m., at home.

Rasheed-Moore acknowledged Chandler is “identical” to their team but believes the Gators will be more prepared.

“If we play how we know how to play, then it’s not even a game,” Rasheed-Moore said.

Gillom was satisfied with the win but knows it won’t get easier.

“From now on, this is a tough road ahead,” Gillom said.

Fleetwood said the team should be even “more determined, more hungry,” for a state championship.

Gillom said, “If we come out and play like we did tonight, I think we can be successful.”

McIntosh said the key to their next victory is keep the “same mindset and same energy.”

“The way we played today, no team should be able to stop us,” Fleetwood said.