For the second straight year, Deer Valley High School (24-5) is headed to the Arizona 4A State Championship game for the second consecutive season, looking to cement its place as one of the top programs in the state. The Skyhawks punched their ticket to the title game in dominant fashion, defeating Dysart High School 67-41 in the semifinals, showcasing their elite defense and balanced offensive attack.
From the opening tip, Deer Valley controlled the game against Dysart, proving why they are the defending 4A State Champions. The Skyhawks’ defense set the tone early, forcing turnovers and converting them into transition buckets. Deer Valley’s suffocating defense held Dysart to just 41 points, one of their lowest-scoring games of the season. The Skyhawks forced (15) turnovers and controlled the boards, limiting second-chance opportunities for their opponents.
“This team is built on toughness,” said Head Coach Jed Dunn. “We play defense at a high level, and when we execute offensively, we’re really tough to beat.”
With the win, Deer Valley advances to the 4A State Championship game at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 6 at 8:00 PM, where they will face St. Mary’s High School in a highly anticipated game.
A win in the championship game would give Deer Valley back-to-back state titles, further solidifying their status as one of the premier programs in Arizona high school basketball. Under Coach Dunn, the Skyhawks have built a culture of discipline and defense, and they now stand just one game away from making history.
“We don’t take this opportunity for granted,” said Dunn. “Winning one title was special, but defending it? That’s something truly great teams do.”
The stage is set for an epic showdown, and with the championship on the line, Deer Valley is prepared to leave it all on the court in pursuit of another title.
