Dobson's girls basketball team led wire-to-wire Wednesday night in knocking off East Valley Region rival Mesa High to earn a spot in the 6A quarterfinals.

Pulling away to a double-digit advantage early in the fourth quarter, Dobson sank 14 of 20 free throws in the final eight minutes in posting a 43-35 victory at Dobson High.

The victory improved the Mustangs record to 22-7 and earned it a matchup in the quarters Tuesday Feb. 22 at top-seed and two-time defending champion Valley Vista. Mesa ended the season 20-8. The Jackrabbits were third in the EV Region this season behind region champ Westwood and second-place Dobson in a tight region race. Westwood won its first round game Wednesday and moves on to the quarterfinals as well.

Balanced scoring defined Dobson with four starters connecting for between 8 and 11 points. Sophomore Ahdiayh Chee tallied 11, senior Siarra Beck 10, freshman Jaziah Billey 9 and junior Aaliyah Garcia 8. Mesa relied heavily on junior Ashiian Hunter. Hunter scored 23 of the Jackrabbits' 35 points. Dobson did not shoot a free throw in the first half and four in the third quarter before it paraded to the line at Mesa's bidding in the fourth quarter.

Dobson jumped out to a 7-0 lead the first four minutes and still held the lead at quarter's end, 9-8. The Mustangs lead stayed the same (15-14) at halftime and improved to 27-21 after three periods with their largest advantage eight.

 Three turnover in the first two minutes of the final quarter put Mesa in desperation mode and free throws were the order of the game the rest of the way. Mesa trailed 33-21 with 4:17 to play and got no closer than six with 23 seconds left.

Dobson's Aaliyah Garcia (21) defends Mesa's Ashiian Hunter (11) in the first half of their playoff game. (Azpreps365 photo)