On Friday at this year's Hoop Hall West event at Scottsdale's Chaparral High School, and after some exciting action on Thursday evening, our pre-season #1 team in the state overall, Perry High School and also another one of our top overall teams in the state, Basha High School, would both compete on the evening, but against top-rated out-of-state high school programs. Perry would face off with Archbishop Stepinac High School (NY), while Basha would match-up with Campbell Hall High School (CA).
The Perry / Stepinac match-up would feature two of the nation's elite talents, 6-foot-8 junior Koa Peat and 6-foot-4 senior guard Johnuel "Boogie" Fland (University of Kentucky signee). The Basha / Campbell Hall contest would feature a coaching duel of two of the top high school coaches in the West, former college coach Mike Grothaus of Basha and former Division-I coach David Grace of Campbell Hall. Grace had an illustrious career in Arizona high school and club basketball previously, so he would be making his return to the state of Arizona as a result of this year's event.
Perry would come out playing inspired basketball behind strong play early from Peat and also 6-foot-4 junior DeAndre Harrison. Harrison's mid-range play and strength around the basket would give Perry a nice boost. After a three-pointer at the buzzer by Harrison, Perry would jump out to a 18-12 lead after one. Perry would cruise to a 31-25 halftime lead, while Stepinac would struggle to get things going in the game's first half.
At halftime, Peat would return to the floor and accept a prestigious award at center court, as he was awarded with the USA Basketball Player of the Year award, an amazing honor for Peat, as he joins the likes of Michael Jordan as a recipient for this amazing honor. Peat, who finished with 10 points in the game's first half though, would struggle to get anything going for himself in the game's second half, as he would finish the contest with a mere 12 points.
In the second half, Stepinac's "Boogie" Fland would get it going though for his team, and he would prove why he is headed to the University of Kentucky. Fland would knock down numerous big shots down the second half stretch for his team to lead his team back in the game. The game would come down to the final seconds with both teams tied at 50 all, before Fland would travel the length of the floor under pressure with just seconds on the clock and then pass to an open teammate, who would knock down the three-pointer for the game win, 53-50, over a stunned Perry team.
Fland would finish with a game-high 27 points in the win. Perry's DeAndre Harrison would finish the game with a team-high 17 points in the loss.
In the final contest of the evening, Basha would fall behind Campbell Hall quickly in the contest, as Campbell Hall would post an early 10-0 lead.
Basha came in the contest with some issues, as star sophomore guard Mason Magee would play, but after a recent return to the team from sickness. Basha's 6-foot-4 senior Christian Warren would enter the contest from the bench, after overcoming a broken toe early in the season. Warren would play inspired basketball, and help his team to take the lead 44-43 with 4:28 left to play in the third period, but Campbell Hall would eventually win the contest, 71-64.
Both Basha and Perry will be very tough teams to beat this high school season in Arizona, and will make for an exciting high school season, although both programs picked up losses on Friday evening. This early-season tough competition will only improve both teams going forward, as they both look to sure up and overcome their deficiencies in these losses.
