Basketball Game Preview: Sunnyside Blue Devils vs. Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks

The Sunnyside Blue Devils will head out on the road to challenge the Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. One thing working in Sunnyside's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points in their last six contests.

Sunnyside picked up another tournament win on Saturday. They took down Douglas 60-45. Given the Blue Devils' advantage in MaxPreps' Arizona basketball rankings (they are ranked fifth, while the Bulldogs are ranked 45th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Mia Gonzales

Points (Career)

12/28/24 vs Douglas	15
12/27/24 vs Tanque Verde	13
11/25/24 vs Cienega	9
12/05/24 vs Mountain Ridge	5
12/27/24 vs Sabino	3

Sunnyside got their win on the backs of several key players, but it was Mia Gonzales out in front who went 6 for 11 on her way to 15 points and four steals. The dominant performance gave Gonzales a new career-high in points. The team also got some help courtesy of Janae Pritchett, who went 8 of 19 on her way to 20 points.

Sunnyside smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with ten offensive boards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in six consecutive matches.

Meanwhile, Ironwood Ridge posted their biggest victory since February 15, 2024 on Thursday. They claimed a resounding 59-26 win over Grand Canyon.

Ironwood Ridge's victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 6-6. As for Sunnyside, their win bumped their record up to 15-1.

Everything came up roses for Sunnyside against Ironwood Ridge in their previous matchup back in January of 2024, as the team secured a 70-41 victory. Does Sunnyside have another victory up their sleeve, or will Ironwood Ridge turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.