Tall order awaits Criminals in state playoffs

 Yuma High boys basketball coach Louie Pisano had trouble finding any weakness in his team's next opponent, No. 1 Oro Valley-Ironwood Ridge.

 "They are fundamentally sound," Pisano said. "They really have no deficiencies. They are a very patient and well-coached team."

 The Nighthawks (26-4) are the defending 5A Division II state champions. No. 8 Yuma High takes a four-game winning streak to Ironwood Ridge for today's 7 p.m. tipoff in the second round of the state playoffs. The hosts are 7-1 at home this season and come in having won 11 straight.

 "It's going to be a tough one," Pisano said. "We have to play our best game tomorrow (Saturday) if we are going to beat them at home."

 The Criminals (28-5) cruised to an 88-67 victory at home over No. 9 Surprise-Willow Canyon on Thursday in the first round. Big man Carlos Wallett scored 33 points to pace Yuma High, followed by Ricardo Quintero with 19.

 Also scoring in double figures for Yuma High were Steven Rojano with 10 and reserve Austin Taylor with 13. Taylor spelled Rojano who was hampered by a shoulder injury.

 Pisano said Rojano participated in Friday's practice and that he will be available tonight. If Rojano aggravates the shoulder or is not able to go, Pisano was confident his bench would step up again.

 "We tell them every day that they are going to have to be ready if we call their number," Pisano said.

 Ironwood Ridge moved out of the opening round with a 72-51 win over No. 16 Scottsdale-Horizon. Forward Chad Carter led the team in scoring with 29 points. Center Brandon Duliakis chipped in 13 points.

 The Nighthawks have seven seniors back from last year's championship run, including the 6-foot-11 Duliakis and the 6-foot-6 Carter, who average 16.2 and 13.8 points a game respectively. Duliakis also averages 10 rebounds and 3.5 blocks a game.

 Junior guard Lawrence Hampton is scoring 10.3 points a game and nearly eight assists a contest.

 "They are loaded from top to bottom," Pisano said. "Outside of Central it is probably going to be one of the toughest teams we've played all year."

 Matching up with Ironwood Ridge defensively concerns Pisano, who said they haven't played a team this season with this much height across the board.

 "We just got to gamble," he said. "See how they set the tempo and go from there. We are going to have to mix it up on defense."

 On the other end of the floor, it all comes down to execution Pisano said.

 "They like to press full court," he said. "And they might just decided to drop back. You never know. We can't worry about that. I'm more concerned with my team. This time of the year you have to be able to execute."

---

Brian Williams can be reached at
bwilliams@yumasun.com or 539-6880.