O'Connor Edges Desert Vista in OT Thriller

Eagles hold off late comeback to win regular season finale

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a back-and-forth battle, the Sandra Day O'Connor girls basketball team held off a late comeback by Desert Vista to win 52-50 in overtime. The game came down to the wire, with O'Connor sophomore Francesca Sofia putting her team up late before Desert Vista freshman Kolbi Brooks tied it to force OT. In the extra period, O'Connor senior Audrey Bhesania hit the game-winning jumper with 11 seconds left to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This hard-fought win over a tough Desert Vista squad should prepare O'Connor for the upcoming Open Division playoffs, where they will be a top seed looking to make a deep run after falling short in recent years. The game also showcased the growth of O'Connor junior Ava Schooler, who led the team in scoring and has emerged as a key player this season.

The details

O'Connor jumped out to a 29-20 halftime lead, but Desert Vista rallied in the second half to tie the game at 48-48 and force overtime. In the extra period, turnovers by Desert Vista led to a layup by Sofia and the game-winning jumper by Bhesania to give O'Connor the victory.

  • The game was the regular season finale for both teams, played on February 12, 2026.
  • O'Connor led 29-20 at halftime and 41-33 after the third quarter.

The players

Charles Wilson

Head coach of the Sandra Day O'Connor girls basketball team.

Francesca Sofia

Sophomore guard for Sandra Day O'Connor who scored a key late basket to put her team up.

Kolbi Brooks

Freshman phenom for Desert Vista who helped lead her team's late comeback to force overtime.

Audrey Bhesania

Senior guard/forward for Sandra Day O'Connor who hit the game-winning jumper in overtime.

Ava Schooler

Junior guard for Sandra Day O'Connor who led her team in scoring with 17 points.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We need to figure it out as a unit. It's going to take togetherness, teamwork in order for us to get where we are trying to go. We don't want a 6A state championship. We want the Open. And we know we have the chance to get it. We have our window and we want to be able to take advantage of the window. Yeah, much, much needed.”

— Charles Wilson, Head Coach, Sandra Day O'Connor (azcentral.com)

“I think we're pretty confident. We know we have what it takes to win that championship. It's just whether or not we do the little things that we need to get it done. We're very confident, but we still know we need to work hard to win that championship.”

— Audrey Bhesania, Senior Guard/Forward, Sandra Day O'Connor (azcentral.com)

“I'm really proud of them. A lot of adversity in that game. They've grown a lot from where we've been in the first game. If nothing else, we grew a lot this game. I'd be scared if I get us in the first round.”

— Erin O'Bryan, Head Coach, Desert Vista (azcentral.com)

What’s next

The Open Division playoff bracket will be revealed on February 14, where O'Connor is expected to receive either a #4 or #5 seed.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over a tough Desert Vista squad should give the Sandra Day O'Connor girls basketball team confidence heading into the Open Division playoffs, where they will look to make a deep run and capture the state championship after falling short in recent years.