On December 28,
Fairfax (Laveen, Ariz.) sported a record of just 5-5, which wasn't too surprising considering the Stampede went 10-16 a year ago and were in just their second season of varsity basketball. The school opened in the fall of 2007.
But behind the play of 6-foot-4 senior
Pierre Newton, fellow senior
Marcel Govan and junior
Lejon Johnson, Fairfax won 17 of its final 19 games, including a dramatic, double-overtime victory over
Chaparral (Scottsdale) in Arizona's Class 5A Division II championship game Friday night.
Newton produced 26 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to power the Stampede.
Chaparral was led by
Zeke Chapman – son of former Kentucky star and retired NBA veteran Rex Chapman – with 24 points. The Firebirds were also bidding for a bit of a Cinderella championship story as they held a so-so record of 15-9 following a loss to St. Mary's on Feb. 4.
