It was a busy Saturday at the Veteran Memorial Coliseum, as numerous state final games took place for boys and girls high school basketball in the state's 6A and Open Divisions. For the 6A Boy's State Championship, #1 seed Highland High School (29-3) would face #2 seed Brophy Prep (24-9) Saturday afternoon. Highland has had a terrific season, led by the superb overall play of 6-foot-3 senior guard Noah Peterson (pictured), while Brophy Prep has been led by the play of 6-foot-6 senior forward Arman Madi (NAU signee) and 6-foot-3 junior guard Braeden Speed. Both teams are well balanced though and would make a nice coaching battle between Brophy Head Coach Matt Hooten and Highland Head Coach Todd Fazio.
Highland 6-foot-1 junior Brock Knollmiller would quickly get a steal to open the game, and travel the length of the floor for a two-handed dunk to give Highland the first basket of the game.
Brophy Prep would take an 8 to 7 lead with 3 minutes left to play in the first period, after a three-pointer and another basket by Braeden Speed for Brophy Prep. After a three-pointer from 6-foot-4 freshman Daylen Sharper, and a few free-throws from Harper, Brophy would take a 15-19 lead late in the period, before a nice three-pointer in transition by Knollmiller just before the buzzer sounded, would allow Brophy Prep to take a 15-12 lead into the second period.
Highland would come back in the second period, and would not back down - taking a 21 to 16 lead midway through the second period. Brophy would tie the game at 21 all after a nice driving basket from Brophy Prep 6-foot-2 sophomore guard Ayden Madi with less than 3 minutes remaining in the first half.
Noah Peterson would show off his skillset late in the first half, with a strong drive to the basket and his second three-pointer of the half - giving Highland a 26-21 lead with less than two minutes to play in the first half. With Brophy looking to close the gap, a Peterson tap in just before the halftime buzzer, would give Highland a 28-26 halftime lead. Peterson would finish with a game-high 15 points in the first half.
In the second half, Brophy Prep would tie the game at 37 all with 3:30 left to play in the third period after a strong basket from Braeden Speed. Brophy Prep senior forward Arman Madi would struggle to get going in the game, but Speed and younger brother Ayden Madi would keep Brophy Prep in the game. Another offensive rebound and put-back by Speed would tie the game again at 39 all, with a little over (2) minutes left to play in the third period. Speed would score 11 points in the third period, to give him 20 points in the game, going into the fourth period.
Ayden Madi would nock down his third three-pointer of the game with 1:50 left to play in the third period to give Brophy a 44-40 lead, but a Noah Peterson mid-range jumper would bring Highland to within two points of Brophy to end the third period, 44-42.
Both teams would go into the fourth period looking to close out the championship victory. Highland would give the first blow to Brophy in the quarter, as 6-foot-3 senior guard Ryan Moon would knock down his first basket of the game - a three-pointer from the top of the key, which would give Highland a one-point lead. Then a basket by Noah Peterson would push Highland ahead 47-44, before another basket by Speed for Brophy Prep would bring the Broncos to back within one, 47-46.
With 5:10 left to play in the game, Arman Madi would get his first basket of the game - putting Brophy ahead 48-47.
Highland would not be denied though and would take back the lead, 50-48, after another big three-pointer from Ryan Moon over the outstretched hands of a defender.
Arman Madi would start to feel it, and would score in transition over Highland defenders to tie the game at 50 all.
Brophy's 6-foot-4 freshman Daylen Sharper would get a basket inside with just over 2 minutes remaining to push the Broncos ahead 52-50, until a strong driving reverse layup from Noah Peterson would tie the game at 52 all, with 1:23 left to play.
After a missed driving layup from Harper for Brophy, Highland would get the ball back and get a timeout with :22 seconds left to play. Highland would inbound the ball, looking for Noah Peterson to make a play. After being defended well by Brophy, Peterson would give the ball up before 6-foot-1 senior guard Isaac Kaps from Highland would get fouled on a drive to the basket, but Kaps would miss the front-end of a one-one and Brophy would get the ball back, only to loose the ball out of bounds at the end of regulation - sending the game into overtime.
Noah Peterson would start off the overtime period with a driving layup, to put Highland back ahead 54-52. Brophy's Arman Madi would then foul out of the game with 3:15 left to play in overtime, sending him to the bench with a total of 5 points in the contest. Two free-throws by Noah Peterson would give Highland a comfortable 56-52 lead in overtime.
With 2:38 left to play, Daylen Harper would make a big three-pointer from the wing to make it a one-point game, 56-55, Highland. Harper would then get fouled on a strong drive in transition. Harper would make 1 of 2 free-throws to tie the game at 56 all. After several attempts by both teams, the game would go into a second overtime period.
With 2:31 remaining, Brock Knollmiller would tie the game at 59 all for Highland. After being fouled late, and Highland looking to score in desperation, Knollmiller would get fouled and go back to the line with :49 seconds to play. Knollmiller would convert 1 of 2 free-throws, and Brophy would hold on to a one-point lead, 61-60.
Highland would get the ball back with :27 seconds to play, down by one-point, after a jump ball would return possession to Highland. Highland would then dribble the ball and run the clock down, until a huge three-pointer from the wing from 6-foot-4 senior Hayden Winegar would give Highland the lead, 63-61. After another desperation three-pointer by Brophy's Sharper would hit the back of the rim, the Highland Hawks would win the game, and, ultimately, this year's 6A State Championship.
Winegar, a First-Team All-State Volleyball performer, would finish the game with 6 points and the biggest shot of his young basketball career.
Congratulations to both of these two programs on an amazing championship game, as there were no losers today. Both teams fought super hard all game and gave us a game to remember. Congrats to the Highland Hawks basketball program on winning this year's 6A State Title, as well as Head Coach Todd Fazio and his staff on an excellent season. Congratulations also to Brophy Prep Head Coach Matt Hooten and his Brophy coaching staff and players on a tremendous finish to the high school season.
