(GILBERT, Ariz.) No. 2 Gilbert Christian extended its winning streak to 11 with victories against Scottsdale Christian (70-48) and Payson (83-39) in back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday. Senior Jace Olson paced GCHS as the top-scorer of the weekend, logging 23 points against the Eagles, and 26 points versus the Longhorns.
The Knights are the only 3A team without a loss this season.
"Our defensive effort is really starting to show," Head Coach Jason Pasquariello said. "Guys are flying around, covering one another and really taking pride on that end of the court. If we continue to make small adjustments as playoffs approach, we will be very dangerous. Our offense is also starting to come alive, especially with our three-point percentages. For most of December we were a little cold, but it was just a matter of time before those shots started to fall. Friday was a great game for us. The atmosphere was great, the fans were into the game and Scottsdale Christian never quit. While we were able to pull away at the end, they kept it interesting. It was also a good night to celebrate Jace and him scoring 1000 points in his career."
Olson's 23-point, 13-rebound double-double against the Eagles included four assists. Senior Logan Lucero dished four of his own in the contest, while scoring 12 and grabbing five off of the glass for the Knights. Lucero's defense was also key in the affair, as he managed three steals to lead all players.
Senior Tyler Burr, senior Owen Fermoyle and junior Taylor Abrahamson continued to make important contributions all-around, but notably in the scoring column, as the three combined for 29 of the Knights' remaining points.
The usual suspects were at it again as Gilbert Christian hosted the Longhorns on Saturday. Olson made the most of his limited time, registering 26 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in 19 minutes, while Lucero, Burr, and freshman Colin Burke scored 12, eight, and seven, respectively, for the Knights.
With seven assists in the Payson match-up, Lucero took the top-spot in the dime column, though he had some competition for the steals' crown, tying Burke with four takeaways.
Fermoyle was the evening's lead rebounder with seven boards, five of which came on the offensive glass.
Abrahamson, for his part, was lights out in the game, shooting five-for-six (83.3%) from beyond the arc to post 15 points in just 10 minutes of action.
The Knights have two tough ones on the books this week, traveling to ALA-Ironwood (7-4) on Thursday for a 7:00pm showdown, and returning home on Saturday to host No. 1 Valley Christian (11-1) in a rematch of the 2023-24 state championship game.
-GO KNIGHTS-
