The Blue Chips escaped with a 56-54 victory over the Blue Devils on Sunday in the 14u championship game of the Southwest Showcase Weekender at Moon Valley High School.

Blue Chips led most of the way, until the Devils went on a scoring spree and nearly tied the game at the very end of the second half.

“We kept our strong five, maintained defensive pressure, hit good shots and stayed focused,” said Blue Chips coach Kitch Kitchen.

From the start of the game, the Chips were aggressive and efficient in taking the ball into the paint, whether it was a drive, a post move or a put back off an offensive board. Point guard Dasmon had a strong offensive presence throughout the game, especially from beyond the three-point arc, where he sank three baskets in the first half. He finished with 16 points.

About ten minutes into the first half, the Chips increased their lead to double digits, eventually taking a 14-point lead, 36-22, at intermission.

The Blue Devils came out fired up after halftime and quickened the tempo on offense, cutting the lead to six.

“I only play seven kids, so they had to be more aggressive in the second and dig deep,” said Blue Devils coach Brent Williams.

Devils point guard Brandon Williams and big man Connor Triplett had great chemistry together, which enabled both to get more open look opportunities. Triplett’s consistency from the outside and around the free throw line created more post room for Williams and other teammates, as he drew the defense away from the paint.

The Devils made their last, strongest push in the last two minutes of the game, scoring eight straight points off a full-court press to move to within two. In the last ten seconds, the Chips momentarily lost the ball but regained it, holding off until the buzzer.

“We had to scratch and claw for that victory,” said Kitchen.