Canyon Del Oro @ Ironwood Ridge

The “Battle for Oro Valley” between rivals Canyon Del Oro and Ironwood Ridge took place at the home of the Nighthawks. The schools are just miles apart. For me personally this is one of my favorite rivalries. I graduated from Canyon Del Oro in 2007 and also had recently spent three seasons on the coaching staff for the Nighthawks. My pregame prediction for this one is 77-68 in favor of the Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks

First Quarter

The Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks control the tip. The game is scoreless almost two minutes into the game when Lucas Anderson knocks down a floater for the first points of the game. Julian Robles answers with a three on the following possession giving the Dorados a 3-2 lead. The Dorados are out rebounding the Nighthawks but having trouble scoring.

3:35 left in the first quarter and Dalton Yarmolovich dunks the ball to make it 10-8 for the Nighthawks igniting the crowd and CDO calls a timeout.

Derek Overton knocks down a three pointer to make it 13-8 Nighthawks. The following possession Tyler Skorupa hits a 3 off the dribble to make it 13-11 Nighthawks. Julian Robles drives to the basket and gets fouled on the way up. He knocks down both free throws to tie the game at 13. 

With 45 seconds left in the quarter Kyle Ray knocks down a wild three as the shot clock buzzer sounds to give the Nighthawks a 16-13 lead going into the second quarter.

Second Quarter

Isaiah Garcia knocks down a shot on the opening possession for the dorados 16-15 Nighthawks. Tyler Skorupa helps the Dorados retake the lead 17-16. Five minutes left in the second and Derek Overton breaks the tie with a lay up 20-18 IRHS. After a 3 minute and 20 second scoring drought for both teams Aiden Peiro gets fouled going up. Peiro makes both free throws to tie the game 20-20. Brady Hanley hits a three for the Nighthawks the following possession. The Dorados are keeping pace with Aiden Peiro hitting a three to tie it back up. The Nighthawks end up taking a 25-23 lead into the halftime break.

At the half Derek Overton leads the Nighthawks with 7 points followed by Dalton Yarmolovich with 6.

The Dorados are led by Julian Robles with 8 points and 6 rebounds followed by Aiden Peiro with 6 points. 

The Dorodos are out rebounding the Nighthawks 18- 9 (unofficially) in the first half. 

Third Quarter

First possession of the second half and Lucas Anderson gets fouled going up. He knocks down both  27-23 Ironwood Ridge. Sean McCarthy finds Aiden Peiro for the corner three to cut the lead. The Dorados get a rebound and Tyler Skorupa hits a tough one off the glass. The crowd gets loud after Derek Overton knocks down a layup and gets fouled on the attempt, finishing the three point play at the line. Julian Robles hits a tip in to make it 36 -32 Nighthawks with the lead. Lucas  Anderson gets a steal and dribbles up court finding Derek Overton for the three. Nighthawks lead 40-32 with 3:41 left in the third. Derek Overton draws a charge getting the ball back for the Nighthawks. Derek Overton knocks down another layup and draws the foul, getting the crowd excited and again finishing the three point play at the line. Derek Overton now has 12 points in the third quarter and hasn't missed this quarter. The Nighthawks take a 10 point lead into the fourth quarter. 

Photo taken by Ryder Jerome

Fourth

The Dorados get possession. Tyler Skorupa knocks it down to open up the fourth to close the gap to eight points. Aiden Rooney knocks down the three for the Dorados. Canyon Del Oro on a 5-0 run in the fourth. Who else than Derek Overton to hit a three for the Nighthawks to extend the lead 56-48. Derek Overton knocks down two free throws to extend the lead to ten. Julian Robles hits a corner three to cut the lead.Dalton Yarmolovich gets called for the travel giving the ball back to CDO with Julian Robles capitalizing on with a floater. Landen Briones makes a layup to get it back to nine. A Dorados steal and Tyler Skorupa score makes it  62-55 Ironwood Ridge. Anderson hits an NBA three to get the lead back to ten. IRHS timeout with 1:40 left up 65-56. Dalton Yarmolovich with the dagger 67-56 Nighthawks up with a minute left. Landen Briones seals the game with a steal and knocks down both free throws. The Nighhawks win 71-60. (pregame prediction was 77-68)

Senior guard Derek Overton named  player of the game with 24 points. He scored 17 in the second half  alone on 100 percent shooting.