Some of the names have changed but the game still remains the same. The rivalry between Mesa High School (18-6) and Mesa Mountain View (16-10) is one of the very best rivalries in the state, and while the coaches and players have changed over the years for both programs, the atmosphere for these match-ups remains super intense and filled with excitement. On Tuesday evening, the gym was packed with Mesa and Mountain View fans and supporters at Mesa High School - making for a tremendous battle for bragging rights for the Mesa community. The Region Championship for the 6A's East Valley Region was also on the line, as these two historic Arizona programs battled it out.
With a DJ set up in the gymnasium and spinning at a high level and student fan support at an all-time high, these two programs, led by Mesa Head Coach Scott Stansberry and new first-year Mountain View Head Coach Andrew Johnson, took the floor amidst a high level of intensity.
Mesa took the lead early in the contest, behind a strong first quarter effort from 5-foot-11 senior guard Parker Escalante, who quickly scored 9 of Mesa's first 12 points. After a three-pointer from 6-foot senior guard Kota Benson late in the period, Mesa would take a 22-14 lead, before a three-pointer just before the end of the period by Mountain View's 6-foot-4 senior Nate Bogle. Mesa would take a 22-17 lead into the second period.
In the second period, both teams would compete hard, as Mountain View's 6-foot-3 senior guard Brigg Wolfe would get going. After a three-pointer from Wolfe with 6:40 to play in the period, Mesa would hold on to a narrow, 25-22 lead.
Just before the half, Escalante would score on a driving layup after being fouled. Escalante would be called for a technical after taunting his defender, and Mesa would take a 36-30 lead into halftime.
In the third period, Mountain View would look to close the gap. Wolfe would collect a loose ball and drive the length of the floor - converting a strong layup in transition with (2) minutes remaining in the period. Then moments later, 6-foot-3 senior Matthew Phair would knock down a mid-range jumper from the corner to lift Mountain View to a 44-43 lead. Just before the end to the quarter, a three-pointer from the wing by sophomore Jackson Wolley, would allow Mountain View to take a lead into the final period, 47-45.
The fourth period would be very exciting as both teams would look to finally finish off this classic war. With 3:56 left to play in the contest, Escalante would score again on a driving layup after being fouled on the play - tying the game at 49 all. After a jump hook in the lane by 6-foot-4 senior Jay Tingey would give Mountain View a 51-49 lead, Kota Benson would then lift Mesa back in front with a three-pointer from the corner over defenders, to give Mesa a narrow, 52-51 lead, with 1:43 left to play.
After two questionable calls that had the Mesa Mountain View bench in an uproar, Mesa would miss a three-point attempt, which was give the ball back to Mountain View for the final seconds of the game. Mountain View's Nate Bogle would drive to the basket as the buzzer sounded, ending the game. After the buzzer sounded and the Mesa crowd rushed the floor, the referees would discuss the play and call a foul - sending Bogle to the line for two shots with less than a second left to play in the contest. Bogle would comfortably knock down both free-throws to give Mountain View the big road win, 53-52.
Mountain View was led in the game by Nate Bogle and Brigg Wolfe, who both finished with a team-high 18 points in the victory, while Parker Escalante led all scorers with a game-high 22 points in the loss.
This was another amazing rivalry game between these two programs, which had no true losers, but it is very unfortunate that several questionable calls down the stretch hurt both programs - taking away from the game and the players.
