Christian Babcock is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain Pointe High School for AZPreps365.com.

Mountain Pointe coach Kaimarr Price watches every game his team plays at least seven times.

The Pride's final regular-season game against Corona del Sol High, though? Two extra times — once with his girlfriend and once when he was "bored during lunch."

"Didn't quite clock back in on time," Price said. "But I thought that was more important."

It’s a way for him to apply the skill set he picked up coaching as an assistant at NAIA Ottawa University in Surprise, when he was immersed in film.

“It just showed you the detail that’s required to win,” Price said. “I love all that type of stuff.”

Before last Friday's play-in matchup with Westview High, he took his team to the campus library to break down its playoff opponent.

After watching the first half of Westview’s game against Cesar Chavez High in silence, Price called for each of his players to point out one thing Westview did well and one thing it did poorly.

“They struggle with pressure,” senior guard T.J. Tigler offered. “If you pressure the ball, they're gonna turn it over. You don't have to reach.”

On tape, Westview showed a fast-paced offense predicated on attacking the rim and finding open 3-point shooters. Conversely, the Knights’ zone defense was ripe for the picking, breaking down to allow Cesar Chavez a number of easy layups.

“They close out too hard when (Cesar Chavez makes) catches on the wing,” junior forward Q’Bon Sullivan said. “So two dribbles, you can get to the rack easy.”

If the No. 11 Pride beat No. 22 Westview, they would advance to a first-round game with No. 6 La Joya High.

Price knew exploiting Westview’s weaknesses early would be key.

“Pressure, run, attack the rim. We need to establish early on in the game that they don't belong on the court with us,” he said. “That's what you try to do against teams, really against every team, but you definitely try to do that against a team who might have some uncertainty of if they can play with you.”

The Pride failed to secure a top-eight seed and bye after losing three of their last four games, but a win over Corona del Sol and the strength of their schedule kept them well within the top half of the play-in bracket.

With the ability to host in front of their home fans, Price hoped his team would take full advantage.

“We're a bigger school, a traditionally really good basketball program here,” he said. “So that alone can sometimes spot you 8 to 10 points early on, but you gotta go get them. And if you put that doubt in their minds early on, you can kind of cruise to a win.”

On tape, however, Westview appeared more than up to the challenge, splashing 3-pointers and hanging tough on the road with the No. 8 team in the state.

Still, Price and his players saw weaknesses they could capitalize on.

“It looked like they struggled with getting rebounds, a lot of second-chance opportunities,” sophomore forward Micah Pierce said.

Pierce was more impressed with how well the Knights spaced the floor on offense. Senior guard Jordan Wunnenberg noted their adeptness at shooting off the dribble and the catch.

After the film session, Price dismissed his players for the day. But his work was just beginning.

“I'll watch that whole game a few times tonight,” he said. “A couple other coaches are supposed to try to send some film over tonight or in the morning. I'll watch those. I don't know for sure if I'll show much more to them because depending on what I see, they might not need to see more.”

Price stressed the importance of his players focusing on their own performance and not the other team.

“You don't want to overload some of those things and have them thinking they know for a fact what players are going to do when you really don't,” he said. “And I just want us to worry about playing our game.”

Playing their game turned out to be enough for the Pride, who won 77-70. As the matchup with La Joya looms, one thing is certain. Price will have watched Mountain Pointe’s game against Westview at least seven times, hoping that those study habits will pay off once again with a playoff win.