In a highly anticipated 6A State Championship showdown, Mesa High School (22-8) and Brophy Prep (19-11) clashed in a game filled with momentum swings, clutch performances, and standout plays. Both teams showcased resilience and talent on the biggest stage in Arizona high school basketball.
Brophy Prep started strong, as 6-foot-6 senior Luke Weiskamp (Menlo commit) connected on (3) consecutive three-pointers, and 6-foot-4 senior guard Ryan Burbach (Cornell signee) knocked down an early three-pointer to set the tone. However, Mesa quickly responded behind sophomore guard Dajon Grayson, who attacked the basket for a driving layup to put Mesa ahead 19-16 late in the first period.
Mesa’s freshman phenom, 6-foot-4 freshman guard Kyi Kyi Miles, continued his stellar play - knocking down a mid-range jumper shortly after. The Jackrabbits’ defense intensified, as they forced a turnover in the closing seconds of the quarter, leading to a transition basket by 6-foot-7 sophomore Brig Bowden, giving Mesa an edge heading into the second period.
Brophy Prep answered early in the second quarter when tough 6-foot-4 senior guard Aiden Madi drained a quick three-pointer, keeping the Broncos within striking distance. But Kyi Kyi Miles once again took control, hitting a tough fadeaway jumper from the baseline to push Mesa ahead 27-22, with just over six minutes to play in the half.
With just over a minute left in the second quarter, Miles delivered in the clutch, scoring back-to-back baskets to give Mesa a 34-30 advantage. Brophy battled back just before halftime, trimming the deficit to two, as the teams headed into the locker room with Mesa leading 34-32.
At halftime, Mesa Head Coach Scott Stansberry emphasized the importance of rebounding, stating, “We need to keep them off the glass in the second half.”
Mesa came out strong in the third quarter, as Miles set up Dajon Grayson with a smooth assist for a layup, extending Mesa’s lead to 36-32, but Brophy’s talented 6-foot-4 junior Daylen Sharper responded with a strong inside finish, keeping the Broncos close.
Then Ayden Madi took over, hitting back-to-back three-pointers, the second one from deep with six minutes to play, and tying the game at 37-all. But Mesa quickly responded, forcing a turnover that led to an electric one-handed dunk by Kyi Kyi Miles, bringing Mesa back within one point.
With 4:20 left in the third, Daylon Sharper muscled inside for another basket, pushing Brophy ahead 44-39. As the period wound down, Ryan Burbach made a crucial driving layup with just over two minutes remaining, extending Brophy’s lead to 48-41 heading into the final period.
In the final quarter, both teams remain poised for a dramatic finish, with history on the line for Brophy Prep and a new era of dominance potentially beginning for Mesa.
With 5:48 left to play in the contest, Weiskamp scored on a basket and foul inside, which would lead to a big 3-point play - putting Brophy Prep ahead, 53-45. With 3:33 remaining, Weiskamp would finish a dunk inside the paint to push Brophy ahead, 57-45 - their biggest lead of the game. Brophy Prep would not look back from there and would cruise to the championship victory over Mesa - winning their first ever State Championship in Brophy Prep's long history.
Senior guard Ayden Madi would finish the game with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in the championship win. Madi was tremendous for the Brophy Prep team this season, as he returned to the team after missing all season last year with aback injury. Congratulations to the Brophy Prep program, but especially this young man on his tremendous hard work and dedication to his craft and getting back to the business of winning.
