Pinnacle girls basketball is resilient. The Pioneers want that moniker to read champions. Sophomore guard Sydney Wiese played like a champion with an amazing 35-point effort Wednesday night helping No. 2 seed Pinnacle edge 10th-seed Horizon, 65-61, in a 5A-II girls basketball semifinal at Jobing.com Arena.

They were not close games the first two times the teams met. Nothing changed the third time. Top-seed Tolleson jumped out to a 17-10 lead after the first period and methodically put away fifth-seeded Westview, 62-37, on Wednesday afternoon in a 5A-II girls basketball semifinal at Jobing.com Arena.

Class 5A-II games feature three boys teams from Desert Valley Region and two girls teams.

The defining moment for Seton Catholic Saturday morning came in the final 10 seconds of the first half of its 4A-II girls championship game against Thunderbird. Thunderbird hoisted up a shot from half court that caromed off the backboard. Noone blocked out the shooter, Shelbie Hess, and she snuck through the lane and scored as the half ended giving the Chiefs a 27-26 lead at halftime. That was an attention getter. No. 2 Seton stormed out in the third quarter, regained command and finally wore down No. 5 Thunderbird in the final period to notch a 61-49 victory and win its second straight state title at Jobing.com Arena.

Austin scores three-pointer at the buzzer to allow Huskies to advance to 5A-II semifinals.

Aubrey Lincoln had to take time off in the fourth quarter Friday night to deal with her fourth foul, but the only points she contributed in that quarter were oh so huge. Lincoln sank two free throws with 10 seconds left to break a 51-51 tie and give fifth-seed Xavier a heart-stopping 53-51 victory over No. 4 seed Highland in a 5A-I girls basketball quarterfinal battle at Highland.

Both teams have advanced to the quarterfinals, girls on Friday and boys on Saturday.

Seton Catholic earned a chance at a 4A-II girls basketball repeat Wednesday with a strong first half predicated on balanced scoring and defense. A tough recipe to overcome. The second-seeded Sentinels amassed a 32-13 lead at halftime and were in command for the duration in posting a 61-39 victory over No. 3 seed Cactus in a semifinal game at Jobing.com Arena.

It was an evening of excessive foul trouble for Hamilton and Dobson so avoiding that made for a potential major player. Hamilton junior guard Lauren Evans was not lost on the opportunity.

Top seeds: Kellis (4A-I boys), Amphitheater (4A-II boys), Shadow Mtn. (4A-I girls), Flagstaff (4A-II girls).

Anne Marie Holter scores nine points in the final 3:35 against Flowing Wells in Division II quarterfinal.

Top competitors are on display in the Class 3A boys and girls tournaments this week.