Deer Valley’s Section 7 run ended Sunday with a loss.

But the team also gained a lot despite the 53-45 setback to Orem Utah in the City of Glendale Bracket final. For starters, lifetime memories were made while playing on the floor of State Farm Stadium.

The leader of Deer Valley’s program, veteran coach Jed Dunn, also learned something new about his team during Section 7, the nation's premier scholastic basketball event in the offseason. 

“I think we’ll be better defensively than last year’s team,” he said. “We are longer now.”

Going from Section 7 qualifier to bracket finalist also reaffirmed that Deer Valley, the 2023 4A state runner-up, belonged on the big stage all along.

But Orem may not have thought so after leading by 12 points in the first period.

“At the beginning of the game I didn’t think we were competing,” Dunn said. “And you can’t do that against a good team.”

But in the second quarter Deer Valley’s defense held Orem without a basket for five-plus minutes.

On the other half of the court, back-to-back threes by AJ Ajawin and Teddy Johnson and a basket in traffic in the lane by Sergio Gonzales cut Orem’s lead to 23-16. A Tyran Simpson buzzer-beater gave Deer Valley some momentum heading into the fourth quarter while trailing only 37-34. 

But guard Tate Robinson’s fourth quarter shooting dashed Deer Valley’s title hopes when he made four consecutive baskets. With 3:50 left, Orem led 50-39.

“We’ll continue to get better,” Dunn said. “I’m excited about next year for them.”

Sandon's inspiring return

Deer Valley's Drew Sandon returned to action after a tough medical battle. (Jose Garcia/azpreps365) Drew Sandon's uniform hid two long scars but not his determination.

The incoming Deer Valley senior guard wasn’t aware he was competing with a deformed hip until suffering a labrum injury while playing football two seasons ago. A doctor told the three-sport athlete he’d never play again, Sandon said.

But during the past couple of days State Farm Stadium hosted the inspiring comeback of a kid who beat the odds. After the football injury, Sandon was diagnosed with hip dysplasia, which is more common in girls and should be treated during childhood.

Sandon was born with the hip joint abnormality but went undetected until the football injury, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

There were obstacles, though. Only two doctors in the state could perform the hip surgery Sandon needed.

Bones in his hip area were cut in three different places and moved around to support the labrum better, Sandon said. During two surgeries, five screws also were inserted.

It also seems remarkable that the young man was excelling even before his medical condition was discovered. As a freshman, Sandon high jumped a state qualifying mark (five feet, eight inches) at a non-state qualifying meet, his dad, Jesse, said.

About a month ago, Sandon was finally cleared for take off. He did so at Section 7, the nation’s biggest high school basketball offseason event.

“It feels amazing,” he said. “I never would have thought it (competing) would happen. I gave up on basketball and football like at least 20 times. The setbacks kill you. But I just believed in myself. I knew I was going to be good. I believed in God.”

In his first game back, the guard wound up scoring at the home of the Arizona Cardinals.

“It was crazy,” he said. “Just to even be here, let alone get in the game and actually contribute, it’s amazing.”

Sitting up in the stands were Sandon's parents, Tracey and Jesse, who were holding back tears then and also Sunday as they talked about their very driven son.

“We were definitely holding back the tears, because we didn’t know if (Sandon) would ever get the chance to play, and to see him score, it’s indescribable,” Tracey said.

Jesse said about what his son had to go through, “It is just so hard. They told him he may never play.”

But the comeback story isn’t over.

There’s a senior season to look forward to. 

So stay tuned.