Basha pulls out a thriller over Corona del Sol in MLK finale

January 15, 2024 by Ben Stapley, AZPreps365


Corona del Sol's Mihail Kostadinovski (12) puts defensive pressure on Basha's Cullen Shreiner (22) Monday night

Don't be shocked if Basha and Corona del Sol meet up sometime down the playoff hardwood road.

Both teams displayed their potential as title contenders Monday night during the final game of the MLK Dream Classic held at Corona's Sammy Duane gymnasium. The game went back and forth all night, with Basha pulling out the win, 67-62 in an entertaining 6A contest.

Basha sophomore Mason Magee was his typical sensational self, scoring 20 points to lead the Bears. But it was Christian Warren who made the difference in the game's final and most crucial moments.

Corona held a 58-57 lead with under two minutes in the game, but Warren would score nine of Basha's final 10 points for the Bears (13-5), including a three-point field goal with :45 seconds remaining. Warren finished with 12 points and was a perfect 5-5 from the foul line.

"What can I say, I really love our team," Basha coach Mike Grothaus said after the game. "That was a great game and this gym is a great place to play."

Corona del Sol's Bo Dolinsek was dominant for the Aztecs, scoring a game-high 29 points. Crew Swearingen scored 11 points for the Aztecs (9-8).