In the mid-evening match-up, Maryvale took on North, and it was a very tight, very well played game, until North asserted themselves in the second half, running away with an 86-73 victory.
Both teams came out and displayed great up-tempo play, as the score stayed tight and went back and forth for the majority of the game.
Maryvale guard Keshan Spears had a big first half, hitting four three-pointers and scoring 14 points through the first two quarters of play. Maryvale had a two-point lead at halftime. Spears would only score three points the entire second half to end up with 17.
Guard/forward Ahmad Levon led the Mustangs with eight at the half.
The tempo and tight play wouldn’t stop in the second half, as both teams continued to push the issue on both ends of the floor.
Unfortunately for Maryvale, they couldn’t stop the two-headed monster in Cody Williams and Levon, as they combined for 18 points in the second half. The Mustangs outscored Maryvale 49-35 in the second half to run away with it.
“We had to come out with more intensity, more defense,” Levon said. “Move the ball, get good shots, don’t rush the shots.”
Levon said he would have to change up his game a little bit in the next round.
“Going to the basket works for me,” Levon said. “I’m always out there shooting jump shots. Going to the basket will always work for me.”