Desert Mountain High School (16-7) was on a tear earlier in the season - winning 8 games in a row, before suffering several defeats.
The Wolves have been in every game this season though, and each of their losses have come at the hands of good competition - programs with good basketball pedigree.
Since then, the Wolves have won 3 of their last 4 games, including a nice 73-72 overtime win over Horizon HS on Friday. Desert Mountain is now headed for a collision with Pinnacle HS (23-3) this week in a battle of two of the top teams in the state's Division-I Class - Section III.
While Pinnacle HS is regarded as one of the elite teams in the state, Desert Mountain is fighting hard to prepare for a state playoff run, but first needs to secure their spot in the race.
Desert Mountain is led by the steady guard play of 6-foot senior guard Alec Savage. Savage currently averages 4.1 points and 5.7 assists per/game for the Wolves. While Savage's numbers are not eye-popping, his selfless style of leadership and heady guard play are the driving force for the Wolves, and will continue to be this week in their big home match-up with Pinnacle.
Last season Desert Mountain had a very strong season, finishing with a 21-8 overall record and a semi-final finish in the state's 5A Division-II Class. Desert Mountain would eventually see defeat at the hands of the eventual 5A D-II state champion, Fairfax High School, but not before the Wolves would turn in an impressive high school season on the year.
Desert Mountain will look to make another strong run this season.
The Wolves are led in scoring by 6-foot-5 junior forward Diego Magana (11.6 ppg), 6-foot-7 senior wing Austin Cooke (11.4 ppg) and 5-foot-11 senior guard Anthony Tepedino (9.2 ppg).
Head coach Todd Fazio institutes a very well-balanced offensive attack by his team, so many players contribute to the team's success. As a result, Savage is the catalyst and drives the engine for the well-balanced attack. Savage will continue to be asked for his leadership throughout the remainder of the high school season, and this week's performance against Pinnacle will be big in his team's hopes for a state playoff berth.
Arizona Preps will be on hand for this week's exciting match-up - bringing you complete game coverage.
Arizona Preps Scouting Report: While being smaller in stature, Savage is a true-point guard prospect that makes the offense go. He has a high basketball IQ and sees the floor very well - getting the basketball to the open man on the floor. He is a pass-first point guard that likes to set up his teammates for scoring opportunities, by breaking down the defense and kicking the basketbal to the wing - or to open cutters in the painted area. Savage is an excellent ball handler with very good quickness, making himn tough to defend for guards lacking good lateral quickness. He is also a left hander, so he has the ability to catch defenders off-guard with his quick shooting stroke, which he shoots with good consistency. He is a solid three-point shooter that can stretch the defense. He scores the basketball with a variety of floaters and scoop shots in the painted area, and is capable of scoring over bigger defenders. Defensively, Savage has excellent quickness and takes pride on the defensive end of the floor, although he may struggle at times against bigger, stronger oppostiion. He is working hard to gain size to his frame, so added size and strength will benefit him a great deal for his future in the sport. Savage's best attribute is his love for the game of basketball, as he has played the sport almost since he could walk. This love for the sport will also benefit him in his continued pursuit to play at the next level.
