Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Apollo girls believe it is their turn now

December 10, 2010 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365

"=""> By Don Ketchum
"=""> The 2009-10 Class 4A Division I girls basketball championship trophy still sits in the case at Phoenix Shadow Mountain High School. There’s nothing that Glendale Apollo can do about that.
"=""> What the Hawks can do, however, is concentrate on 2010-11. A big focus was a rematch against Shadow Mountain at home on Friday night (Dec. 10).
"=""> When Shadow Mountain would make a run and get close or pull ahead, Apollo would turn up the volume on defense and pull away again.
"=""> The key came in the fourth quarter, when Shadow Mountain pulled to within 64-60 with a little more than four minutes left. Apollo outscored the Matadors 13-1 the rest of the way for a 77-61 victory.
"=""> When asked about whether the effort in some small way made up for the state-title loss, Apollo coach Susan Prado-Ortiz said, “It’s a start.’’
"=""> “The defense by our team – that’s what made the difference,’’ she said. “It was one of our best defensive efforts so far. The girls held their composure.’’