Even with 21 wins and a region title under its belt, Mesa still needed to play its best game of the year Monday night to secure a spot in the Open Division playoff field.

And that's exactly what the Jacrabbits did on its home court, taking down high-powered Desert Mountain, 68-64 in a non-region interconference game that meant everything to Mesa.

"We really needed this win," Mesa coach Scott Stansberry said afterward amongst a heavy celebration of players and students.

"It was a bit frustrating to think we were really sitting at 32, but that was out of our control," Stansberry added.We didn't want to spend the rest of the week scoreboard watching and relying on other teams, so I told our players we can only control what's in front of us."

In Desert Mountain, Mesa was facing a high-octane offense which entered the week at No. 3 in the Open Division power rankings while competing in the 5A conference. 

After sweeping the East Valley Region with 10 straight wins, the Jackrabbits entered its regular season finale at No. 32 in the Open Division power rankings. The Open rankings are comprised of 4A, 5A and 6A schools and accumulated power points. 

What may have felt like mission impossible turned into mission accomplished for Mesa, as the the win secures an Open spot at 32nd or higher.

Conway Cummard led Mesa with 17 points, while John Petersen added 16 points and cleaned up the glass with seven rebounds, several on the offensive end which resulted in layups and helped the 'Rabbits maintain their lead for much of the game. 

Guard Mcky Peters scored 12 points while adding six assists and three steals, each of which led to fast break points for Mesa (22-5).

Mesa led 16-12 after the first quarter and 37-30 at halftime, but it wasn't because Desert Mountain took the Jacrkrabbits lightly. Freshman forward Javon Bardwell came out red-hot for the Wolves, connecting on three point shots and alley-oops' in an impressive display of athleticism. Twin sophomores Kalek and Kaden House were spectacular as usual, combinning for 37 points.

After trailing by as much as 10 in the second quarter, Desert Mountain never relented. The Wolves got to within four points (52-48) entering the fourth quarter. A three pointer by Kaden House gave Desert Mountain a 56-54 lead and brief momentum with 5:24 left in the game. A layup by Bardwell extended Desert Mountain's lead to 60-56 with 3:30 remaining.

That's when Mesa simply willed its way to victory, finishing the game with a 12-4 run.

A layup by Petersen preceded a three-point play by Jarren Galarza. But Kaden House and Bardwell were hardly finished, as Desert Mountain pulled ahead 62-61 with 2:45 left in the game. Desert Mountain got a big defensive stop and tried to slow things down offensively, when Mcky Peters made his biggest play of the game, stealing the ball from Desert Mountain guard Mekhi Walcott before getting it out to Cummard who finished the fast break for a 63-62 lead.

"Mcky Peters is the best defender in the state," Cummard said of his senior teammate. "He does so many things that don't get put in the stat sheet, and he helps us out so much on the defensive end."

On Mesa's next posession after another Kaden House field goal, Peters threaded a perfect pass to Daniel Arnett, leading him to the basket for an easy layup, giving Mesa a 65-64 lead it would not relinquish.

Back to back offensive charging fouls sealed the game in the final minute for Desert Mountain, which finished the regular season 19-6.

"We played our hearts out," Javon Bardwell said of the loss. "We just have to work as a team more, it's not anyone's fault, we're just going to focus on the present and get ready for our next big game."

 

Ben Stapley is a staff writer for AZPreps365. For human-interest story ideas and related high-school sports news, contact him at bstapley@azpreps365 or 480 295-9125