Mountain Pointe ends Maricopa's 18-game win streak, lets Rams know how far it needs to go

Maricopa had rolled through 18 consecutive opponents but Thursday night was its first major test.

Host Phoenix Mountain Pointe, even without one of its main players, took over late in the second quarter and delivered a 72-47 6A basketball victory that showed how much work the Rams (21-4) have to do to become one of the state's elite.

Mountain Pointe junior Tru Washington and Maricopa junior Kevin Patton Jr., was a the marquee matchup. It was an intense battle with neither player giving an inch to the other.

But, in the end, Washington took over, starting in the third quarter, scoring 19 of his 26 points in the second half.

Patton Jr., who had a four-inch advantage over Washington at 6-foot-8, had four blocked shots in the first half, but he picked up his third foul midway through the third quarter. He finished with 24 points, including converting a four-point play after being fouled on a made 3-pointer falling backwards.

"That's what they both have to look forward to in a couple of years (when they're in college)," Mountain Pointe coach Kaimarr Price said. "Every night."

Washington didn't have the other half of the dynamic duo, Mark Brown, on Thursday night.

But Washington got his teammates involved, and, in the second half, he was relentless attacking the glass, following up missed shots and scoring.

"I was just keep attacking the basket, get him in foul trouble," Washington said. "With a missing player, everybody else has to step up."

Later in the second half, after Washington picked up his third foul, he began defending Patton's younger brother, 6-4 sophomore Kallai, who also picked up Washington on defense.

"We made them take tough shots," Price said of the Patton brothers. "They're very talented, very athletic. They're something you don't see too often, so we just tried to make it tough on them."

Mountain Pointe (13-1) has had to make up games the second half of the season after having several games moved due to health and safety protocols.

But the Pride showed it has more than Washington and Brown in its arsenal. Guard Tanner Pate knocked down two 3-pointers and had 10 points. Junior guard Jayven Price played well handling the ball. He had 12 points.

Mountain Pointe plays Ahwatukee rival Desert Vista twice over the next six days and plays three nights in a row next week as it gets ready for another run to the state final, after losing the last two championship games.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mountain Pointe basketball ends Maricopa's 18-game win streak