Trophy stays at home this year, team gains national recognition

Coach Sam Ballard and the Mesa Thunderbirds are the 2011 Fiesta Bowl Junior College Shootout Champions after winning three games in three days over a trio of stout opponents.

Mesa defeated the Three Rivers (MO) Raiders and Head Coach Gene Bess Friday night, December 30 in front of a raucous crowd at Theo Heap Gym, 84-72, taking the title in the tournament's second year with the Fiesta Bowl as title sponsor.

"It was a great win for our program and what we are trying to accomplish by remaining in DI.  I don't think many people looking at the field going in would have predicted a Mesa win, but we believed and that's why you play," says Coach Ballard. 

Mesa defeated the Williston State (ND) Tetons and Head Coach Hunter Berg on Wednesday, 84-61, to move into the Championship Bracket. 

Christian Griggs-Willams, Asaad Woods, and Elliot Fletcher scored 16, 14, and 14 apiece to lead the T'Birds to victory.  Fletcher notched a double-double in this one as he added 11 rebounds on a 7 of 12 night from the floor.

On Thursday, Mesa took down the Bearcats of Lon Morris (TX) and Head Coach Dale Dotson, 70-60. 

Asaad Woods led the T'Birds with 17 points, with a strong supporting cast of Travis Timmons, who hit for 13, and Christian Griggs-Williams' 12. 

Williams notched a double-double in this one, grabbing 11 boards.

Then, on Friday, Mesa ran out to a 19-point halftime lead over the very tough Three Rivers Raiders, and won the title, 84-72. 

Asaad Woods led the T'Birds again in this one, scoring 16. 

Travis Timmons notched 15, Elliot Fletcher scored 14, Jarrett Green hit for 13, and Christian Griggs-Williams tallied 10. 

"We are all very proud of how our guys played and performed against some of the best talent in the country.  This event will continue to grow and remain the premier junior college tournament in the nation.  However, right now we hold the trophy, " says Ballard.

The energy level from the Thunderbirds in the championship game was at its highest level this season so far, and the crowd in the gymnasium responded.  The team seemingly fed off the roar from the home crowd, as they shot 54% from the floor heading into the break.

Mesa's bigs got Three Rivers post players into foul trouble and the T'Birds scored 34 from the charity stripe, hitting 71% of their free throws in the game (34 of 48). 

Freshman forward Ibrahim Djambo was a force throughout the tournament, and scored 16 points to go along with eight rebounds for Coach Bess' Raiders.  Sophomore forward Tarius Johnson was just as devastating, scoring 21 to lead the team from Poplar Bluff, Missouri. 

Both forwards would be named to the All-Tournament Team. 

Mesa's Christian Griggs-Williams haunted interior post play for opponents the entire tourament and was also named  to the All-Tournament Team.

Arizona Western guard Lestor Medford lit up the stat sheet and led a vivacious Matador team, earning an All-Tournament nod.  Medford scored 26 against Lon Morris, leading the Matadors to the 3rd-Place trophy. 

Medford notched 27 in a loss against Three Rivers on Thursday, 70-67.  He also scored 21 in the first-round overtime victory over the then - #1 team in the nation, the Monroe Mustangs, 76-69. 

For his overall tournament play, leading his team in energy, and taking over the game against Lon Morris in the semifinal game, Mesa guard Asaad Woods was named 2011 Fiesta Bowl Junior College Shootout Most Outstanding Player. 

Mesa may have won this tournament at the free throw line, scoring 40% of their total points at the charity stripe (93 of 238).  The T'Birds were magnificent from the line with a 75% tournament average (69 of 93).