By james art 
Carson Grier on Vali Christian (left) led his team with 29 points when shooting at 13 to 22, while Tyler Bur (right) by Gilbert Christian sank from a team of four triplets. (Payne Moses Photo/Az Preps 365)
Payne Moses is a student in journalism at ASU Cronkite, appointed to cover the Gilbert Christian High School for Azpreps365.com.
The Gilbert-Raning of the State Game of the State in 2024 was a one-sided affair in favor of # 1 Valley Christian on Saturday night, as the Trojans handed over # 2 Gilbert Christian their first loss for the season, 76-52.
What was a narrow competition of 12-7 changed quickly after Vali Christian closed the half-time at a mileage of 30-10. The result of the box left no doubt that the bounce was the difference, with the Trojans ahead of the knights, 43-21.
Valley Christian Carson Grier’s senior was practically irresistible in paint, winning 11 out of 17 shots and adding two three balls for 29 points. He also had eight rebounds and five assists.
“Obviously looking to drive to the rim, just stay strong in the tape,” Gree said. “Especially when I started driving, (I can) start kicking him on other guys, continue them.”
And he certainly left his boys to cook, as junior Colby Jesup registered 20 points with three triven and brother of Carson, Kyle, added 13 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. The Trojans (13-1, 6-0) have not yet released a game of Arizona-based opponent, with its lonely deficiency being a loss of 63-62 for the Colorado Fossil Ridge.
The loss was the ninth in a row in this series for Gilbert Christian (12-1, 7-0), which last defeated Valley Christian in the state quarterfinals in 2021.
The senior Tyler Burr did his best to keep the knights at a striking distance, nailed three of his four triphoners in the third quarter to look up and find that a hole with 25 points was only 15.
The knights scored their second top point in a match this season (48 in victory over regional enemy Benjamin Franklin on January 7th) and this was not about the lack of open opportunities.
“Sometimes the shots don’t fall. This is one of those unexplained things, “said Gilbert coach Christian Jason Pasquarielo for the second year.
Pasquariello added that his team may need to be more frugal with their choice of shots, but he does not want their identity to change, leading to a likely start after the season. Pasquarielo said he admitted, but did not properly adapt to how two of his guards, Jace Olson (eight points, two assists) and Logan Lusero (seven points, seven rebounds) were defended.
Gilbert Christian’s unusual poor shooting – 19 out of 55 (34.5%) – did not get any impetus from the second chance point with only five offensive struggles, bound for their least throughout the year.
Bast, as he did after start 1 for 6 of the range, said he just had to “wash” the result.
“We have to move on tomorrow, preparing for Benjamin Franklin. This is a big game that comes on Monday, “Bur said.
Gilbert Christian’s Christian rivalry, which began to take shape in all sports in 2008, may seem boring when it comes to basketball for boys, but the packed gym shouted something else. Everyone who witnessed the Knights ‘Basketball team returned to defeat the Trojans 44-42 before the boys’ boys remain glued to their sequel.
Troyan coach Greg Haagsma, who wins 650 plus and nearly 27 seasons of his credit, admitted the aura that surrounds this match.
“The reality is (the players) going and hugging each other after the match, but during the game we all want to win extremely badly … So, that makes it special,” Haagsma said.
Beyond you just hug him, four of the participating players will be roommates this fall at Wheaton College, the NCAA Division III school in Illinois. Gilbert Christian’s Burt and Olson will play baseball and basketball respectively, while Carson and Kyle Grie Grie’s Vali Christian will play basketball and possibly some baseball.
Burly said he was excited to continue to grow with his teammate Olson and the Grier brothers, with whom he played a club ball.
Gilbert Christian (12-1, 7-0) will host Benjamin Franklin (12-1, 6-1) on Monday at 7 pm Valley Christian (13-1, 6-0) will host Coolidge (10 -3, 4- 4- 1) On Tuesday from 19:00