prep varsity girls basketball game summaries

Playoffs - Game 1 vs Phoenix Christian
The post season is an opportunity for a new beginning. That is just what the Lady Falcons needed after some tough
losses in the second half of the regular season. "Our ladies were filled with momentum moxie and no fear," said
Coach Robbie Harper. "The pressure was on PC and we knew it." The first half was a tug of war between the two
schools and ended with Phoenix Christian leading 21-17. North Pointe knew it was important to come out in the 2nd
half with strong defense and try to go on an offensive run. But a hapless start to the 3rd quarter allowed PC to go on
a 13-6 run and the Cougars never looked back, 47-31. Tiffany Green led the Lady Falcons with 13 points.

Game 16 vs Camp Verde
North Pointe ran into a brick wall on Senior Night! Camp Verde, who finished 10-0 in conference play, had their way.
Down 26-8 by the first quarter and 41-14 at half, the Prep continued to play hard in the second half but fell 59-37. "It
could have been very easy for our girl’s to throw in the towel and give up," said Coach Robbie Harper. "But our never
say die attitude wouldn’t allow us. Give credit to Camp Verde, they are a very good team." Tiffany Green scored 13
points and Corinne Peterson added 12.

Game 15 vs Scottsdale Christian
From the tip the game was intense! The Prep had the lead most of the game with Scottsdale Christian Academy
seeking to make a run with every possession. Celina Martinez shut down their best scorer and was playing the best
defensive game of her career. Tiffany Green was hitting just about every basket while scoring 13 points! Corinne
Peterson was confident with the ball, taking great shots, and delivering perfect passes while putting up 12 points!
Heather Ritchey contributed in every way possible which included 8 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals! The battle
continued with just minutes left to go in the game. Unfortunately, Celina was screened and her player spoted up and
hits a three pointer. SCA took the lead, 33-30. The Lady Falcons refused to panic and continued to overcome the
deficit late into the game. Due to time running out the team had to resort to exchanging baskets at the free throw
line and came up short with the final score being NPP 34, SCA 41.

Game 14 vs Northwest Christian
The Lady Falcon’s were defeated by Northwest Christian, 43-29. Senior Celina Martinez led the Prep in scoring with
9 points.

Game 13 vs Horizon Honors
The Lady Falcon’s were defeated by Horizon Honors, 40-36. Heather Ritchey led the Prep in scoring with 14 points.

Game 12 vs Phoenix Country Day
The Lady Falcon’s lost a heart breaker to Phoenix Country Day. "We led for most of the game and in all of the
statistical categories. We just let the game slip through our hands," said Coach Robbie Harper. "Normally when you
attempt 15 more shots than your opponent, you expect the outcome to be different, but we just couldn’t knock down
up open shots. It’s a hard one to swallow, knowing that we lead in every category, but the final score. But there’s no
giving up in these girls, and we’ll continue to work hard and prepare for our next opponents," said Coach Harper.
The Prep finished with three players scoring in double figures: Heather Ellis, 11 points, and Corrine Peterson and
Tiffany Green, 10 points.

Game 11 vs Valley Christian
Playing in the 2A Central means you play one ranked team after another. Valley Christian features one the State's
elite programs and proved to be too much for the Lady Falcons. "They are very athletic and are a fast team," said
Coach Robbie Harper. "It was very difficult for us to match up against them. Usually you can find a weakness in a
team and exploit that, but this Valley team, from top to bottom, is very strong. The effort was still there from our girls,
and I’m pleased with the way they are still competing," said Coach Harper. Senior Heather Ellis led the Prep in
scoring with 11 points.

Game 10 vs Camp Verde
State runner’s up and a contender for this year’s title, Camp Verde, was too much for the Lady Falcon’s in the Prep
62-25 loss. Camp Verde ’s running and defensive pressure lead to numerous fast break points. Senior Celina
Martinez, 8 points, and Sophomore Tiffany Green, 11 points, stepped up and had well all around games for the Lady
Falcon’s.

Game 9 vs Scottsdale Christian
The Lady Falcon’s came out for the 3rd straight conference game and played a great 1st half. They trailed by only
one point at the end of the 1st half. However, the 2nd half struggles continued with the 2nd half play. The Lady
Falcon’s were outscored 21-9 in the 2nd half. "Right now we’re having a hard time putting it together for a whole
game," said Coach Robbie Harper. "We felt really good at the half, stressing the importance of going out and
playing a strong 3rd quarter," said Coach Harper. Heather Ellis led the Prep in scoring with 8 points. Post player Itzel
Garibay, four points, scored North Pointe's only points in the 3rd quarter.

Game 8 vs Northwest Christ
North Pointe’s aggressive style came back to haunt them as they sent the girls from Northwest Christian to the
charity strip for a total of 24 attempts (18 in the 1st half). "We never adjusted, as a team, to how the game was being
called.," said the Prep's Coach Robbie Harper. "At one point, in the 3rd quarter, starters Celina Martinez, Heather
Ritchey, and Corinne Peterson, were all on the bench with four fouls. The game was pretty much determined from
the free throw line." Northwest was 11-24 from the line, to the Falcon’s 2-4. "We were pleased with the effort our girls
made during the game; hopefully we can cut down on the fouls in future games," said Coach Harper. Freshman
Corinne Peterson led the Prep in scoring with 21 points.

Game 7 vs Horizon Honors
The Lady Falcons came out and played a great 1st half containing Horizon’s post player Ellenberger to 2 points for
the half. "Our game plan was to be physical with Ellenberger and not let her have position on the block, close to the
basket," said the Prep's Coach Robbie Harper. "Between Heather Ellis, Tiffany Green, Itzel Garabay, and Hosanna
Alvarado, the girls really frustrated her." At the end of the 1st half, the score was 14-13 Horizon. The 2nd half was a
complete opposite. "We couldn’t slow the big girl down in the 3rd quarter and allowed her to score 9 of her 15 points
during this span," said Coach Harper. Senior Ellis led the Prep in scoring with 7 points.

Game 6 vs Baboquivari
The Prep's Lady Falcons forced 27 turnovers and defeated Baboquivari 49-16. "As the season has gone on, we’ve
picked up our intensity in practice, and it is starting to show in the games," said Coach Robbie Harper. "Our guards
are doing a good job of putting pressure on the ball, allowing their teammates to get steals," Christina Vogt got the
start for injured guard Heather Ritchey, and played a good all around game grabbing 12 rebounds. Celina Martinez
and Corrine Peterson lead the Falcons on offense with 11 points each.

Game 5 vs Salt River
Senior Guard Heather Ellis scored 17 points as the Lady Falcons defeated Salt River 38-14. She also grabbed 5
rebounds and finished with 3 steals. The Prep's defense rebounded from a two game losing streak forcing over 20
turnovers and out rebounding Salt River 40-19. "For us to be successful, we need to continue to play excellent
defense and take care of the ball on offense," said Coach Robbie Harper. "Heather Ellis had one of her best games
ever carrying us offensively." The Lady Falcon's point guard Corinne Peterson also had a strong game dropping in
9 points while dishing out 6 assists against only 1 turnover. Celina Martinez lead the Falcons on defense with 6
steals. The Lady Falcons have been working on standing in and taking a charge. Carrisa Patterson did just that
and recorded the team's first one of the season.

Game 4 vs Valley Christian
What happens when a young, developing program goes up against one of the most established and successful in
the 2A Central? A 49-7 win for the Trojans of Valley Christian over the Lady Falcons. In fact, North Pointe was held
scoreless for the first three quarters.

Game 3 vs Tempe Prep
North Pointe dropped a tough game to Tempe Prep, 39-33, in a contest that the Lady Falcons controlled and lead
for most of the way. The Prep played a solid first half and entered the locker room with a four point lead which they
expanded to ten points in the third quarter. Tiffany Green hit a pair of three pointers during that span. Tempe Prep
picked up the tempo in the fourth quarter, offensively and defensively, and late in the game took the lead and held
on to win. "Even though we lost, our girls might have played their best game so far," said Coach Robbie Harper.
"There were a lot of good things that happened; one of those things was the play from Heather Ritchey. Before her
hip injury she was real aggressive on the offensive side of the ball, which is something we’ve been waiting for. We
also continued to get solid play from our freshman guard, Corinne Peterson."

Game 2 vs Phoenix Country Day
The Girls Varsity Basketball team is off to a great 2-0 start in regular season play after defeating Phoenix Country
Day 36-32. Senior guard Celina Martinez lead the Falcons with 9 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman guard Corinne
Peterson also had a strong game scoring 10 points and dishing out 4 assists. "I was very please with the way our
girls came out and played in the first half," said the Prep's Coach Robbie Harper. "We were real aggressive from the
beginning, but had to adjust our style in the second half with the way the game was being called. Any time you can
start your conference play off with a win, you have to be pleased."

Game 1 vs Precision
The experience gained from North Pointe's Varsity Girls Basketball summer camp to Eastern New Mexico University
(sponsored by Guild Mortgage) and their extensive off-season workouts proved too much for Precision as the Lady
Falcons won 42-33 in the season opener for both teams. "We made poor decisions in the early part of the game
that kept Precision close," said the Prep's Coach Robbie Harper. "We eventually trusted our offense, played our
style of game, and extended our lead." Celina Martinez lead North Pointe in scoring with 11 points and added 4
steals. Heather Ritchey had a big game with 9 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals. Heather Ellis also
contributed to the win with 9 points and 11 rebounds.