Standouts From the Desert Pines vs Democracy Prep Matchup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a tightly contested 5A conference battle, Desert Pines pulled away late to secure a 75–69 victory over Democracy Prep. Here are four standouts from each team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Standouts </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2111894"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967fa50bfb4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2111894' first='Tyler' last='Merto'] jump-started the Desert Pines offense in the first quarter, scoring seven of their 13 points. He was getting to his spots with ease and utilized his high release point to shoot over opponents. I also liked how he handled Democracy Prep's defensive pressure and dished out assists. Defensively, he hustled all game long and didn't give up any easy buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 9 Points, 3 Assists</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2374347"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967fa50bfc05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2374347' first='Aaron' last='McMorran II'] countered defenders on a regular basis last night by driving and finishing with his right hand three times. He also turned things up a notch in the second half, where he scored 16 of his 23 points. Many of his points came from 3-pointers and free throws, and he notably knocked down a triple and four free throws in the final minutes to help put the game away. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707443"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967fa50bfc8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1707443' first='Chase' last='Robertson'] caught fire for Desert Pines in the second half after scoring four straight points off takes to the cup. He then gave the Jaguars a jolt of life by throwing down a nice dunk. Not much later, he had a monster alley-oop in transition after [player_tooltip player_id='2812155' first='Mason' last='Robles'] put it up for him. Down the stretch, Robertson made free throws and also had a big block on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 17 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2812155"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967fa50bfd11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2812155' first='Mason' last='Robles'] was doing a little bit of everything for the Jaguars yesterday. On offense, he connected on two shots from beyond the arc, had a couple of inside buckets, and threw that lob to Robertson. On defense, he used his energy and mobility to keep attackers in front on him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 10 Points, 1 Assist </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1667943"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967fa50bfd92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1667943' first='Zyon' last='Harris'] got going in the first quarter with a 3-pointer after a missed free throw to make it 6–6. He then drained another on the very next possession to make it 9–8, giving DPAC the lead. Later on, Harris began to get to the rack and came up with a couple of steals during their press before scoring. Although the Blue Knights lost, he still showcased his bucket-getting ability, finishing with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2122232"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967fa50bfe0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2122232' first='Kaden' last='Arnold'] was contributing fairly often for the Blue Knights on offense in the first half. He sank a triple just after Harris dropped in his two, then got out in transition for an emphatic dunk and closed out the half with a strong take to the basket. In the fourth quarter, he got back to work, earning trips to the line and burying a three during their comeback attempt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 13 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2374248"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967fa50bfe87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2374248' first='Dashaun' last='Harris'] used his explosive first step to get downhill against Desert Pines. He waited for the right moment to go, and made some difficult finishes from there in traffic. Harris' speed also helped him create turnovers on the defensive end in the second half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 11 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2468244"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6967fa50bfefd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2468244' first='Jaden' last='Redding'] did a fantastic job of positioning himself for offensive rebounds, and the sophomore combo guard had a number of timely ones for DPAC in the second half. He also promptly went right back up with it and showed real touch in those situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stats - 10 Points </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->