Shamrocks looking to prove point against Arizona Lutheran

Yuma Catholic boys basketball coach Brooks Neumann hopes his Shamrocks prove a message.

In the second round of the Arizona Interscholastic Association Division IV Section I Tournament, the No. 3 Shamrocks take on No. 2 Arizona Lutheran at 4:30 today at Peoria High.

“I want to show these guys running the AIA that the way they do these Power Points doesn't make sense,” Neumann said. “We don't get any respect.”

The Shamrocks (18-1) are currently No. 7 in Division IV, and Arizona Lutheran is third.

The Coyotes (15-3) are led by 6-foot-1 junior guard Kris Lamberson, who averages a team-high 17.4 points to go with 5.1 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.4 steals. Joining Lamberson is Arizona's tall front court of 6-foot-4 junior Ethan Carmack (12.1 points, 7.3 rebounds) and 6-foot-5 sophomore Brady Cook (10.1 points, 7.7 rebounds).

“We're going to have to be more physical than we've been all year,” Neumann said. “In my opinion, if they play good and we play good, we'll win because we're a better team.”

The winner faces the winner between No. 1 Joy Christian and No. 4 Scottsdale Prep in the Division IV Section I Final at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Peoria High.