Gilbert Christian seeks gold ball in season of turmoil

Gilbert Christian has been in the news a lot since coach Kurt Keener came over from Scottsdale Desert Mountain last March.

And it hasn't all been good.

It has been investigated by the Arizona Interscholastic Association over transfers.

Two transfers, including 6-foot-9 junior and New Mexico-commit Mitchell Lightfoot, had hardships denied and were ruled ineligible by the AIA's Executive Board, which also determined a prior-contact rule was violated.

Parents battled it out with the AIA in court and won.

A Superior Court judge voted in favor of the two transfers, and Gilbert Christian turned into the force envisioned in preseason that not even top-ranked and defending state champion Phoenix Shadow Mountain could derail in Saturday's semifinal.

Keener, joining Arizona Power Basketball in May to help coach in a showcase tournament in Canada that included Lightfoot, the former Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge star, was accused of having prior contact before Lightfoot was enrolled in the school.

But since the court injunction, the AIA has not tried to fight back.

Now, the AIA could be giving a gold ball to Lightfoot and company Monday night after the Division II state championship game at Gila River Arena.

Second-ranked Gilbert Christian (24-6) needs to get past pesky and under-the-radar Phoenix Arcadia (22-9) in the 6 p.m. final.

Arcadia quietly sneaked up on everybody on its way to its first-ever boys basketball state championship game with an unheralded bunch, led by 6-6 senior wing Connor Nichols and his 19 points per game.

"We've had so many different, crazy things between eligibility and ineligibility, injuries and illnesses," Keener said. "Our kids don't fade under pressure. I'm really proud of them."

Gilbert Christian is looking for its fifth state championship since 2007 and third in four years, but its first in Division II, the second-largest division in the state.

It has been a collaborative effort with Lightfoot as the needed inside force, a dynamic big man who changes the game at both ends of the court.

Despite getting into early foul trouble against Shadow Mountain and taking only one shot in the first half – a 3-pointer that he swished -- Lightfoot was the difference in the end, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Junior guard Cameron Satterwhite, who is making it look like Colorado got a steal with his early commitment, has turned it on lately with his inside-outside scoring abilities.

The X factor has been junior point guard Dontez Thomas, who had eight assists against Shadow Mountain.

"We're going into this game with more confidence now," Thomas said.

There can be an emotional hangover after a win against the top-ranked team.

Gilbert Christian was the underdog in the semifinals.

Now it is the heavy favorite.

Keener, who won nine Michigan championships in 35 years at Detroit Country Day with players like Chris Webber and Shane Battier, has one more game to get his Gilbert Christian bunch ready.

One more game for personal redemption.

"That's my job as a coach to get them ready," Keener said. "I've been fortunate to coach in a number of state championship games. We didn't approach this as the state championship, but as the game to get to the state championship. We have a day to catch our breath to play a good Arcadia team."