In an exciting match-up of the state's two elite AIA programs in the East Valley, Perry and Basha High School, it was also an exciting atmosphere on a Saturday evening in front of a large crowd in attendance. Last season this game was sold out (30) minutes early, so I had to get there early, and ended up standing the entire game behind the student section to report this match-up. Perry High School (13-4) came into Saturday's night contest as winner's of (7 )of their last (8) games on the season, since a narrow loss on the road at the hands of Sunnyslope (53-52). Basha High School (11-5) was looking to build on a two-game win streak.
6-foot-8 superstar junior Koa Peat would be the difference in the game for Perry, while Basha's terrific 6-foot sophomore guard Mason Magee would be the difference for Basha. Peat would compete hard on both ends of the floor in this game, and impose his will on Basha throughout the contest - blocking shots, scoring, rebounding and finishing strong around the basket, as he would finish with a game-high 28 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks on the evening. Mason Magee would be awesome in this contest, as he would keep Basha in the hunt all evening, as he would pour in a game-high 19 points in the game's first half, and finish with 28 points of his own. Magee looked explosive and extremely quick against defenders in this contest.
Perry would go up 8 to 0 quickly in the game's first period behind play from Peat and talented 6-foot-5 junior D'Andre Harrison. Basha would fight back to take a 14-12 lead late in the quarter after consecutive three-pointers from 5-foot-10 senior guard Izaih Johnson.
In the second period, Perry would gain back the lead 20-17 after a three-pointer from 5-foot-10 junior guard No No Brown. Basha's Mason Magee would then take the game into his own hands, and score on a jump shot and then a nice driving left-handed layup to put Basha ahead 25-20 with 2:17 left to play. Perry would storm back and go on a 7-0 run, before Magee would then tie the contest at 27 all, after another driving layup.
After a strong driving layup in transition by Koa Peat just before the half, and Perry would go into the half with the score again tied at 29 all.
With 3:40 left to play in the third period, Perry would take a nice 38-31 lead behind the strong overall play of Koa Peat. A Peat mid-range jumper, and then a three-pointer from the wing would give Perry the advantage. Peat would then tap in a missed shot with 2:10 left to play in the period - giving Perry a nice 40-31 lead, their biggest of the game. Perry would lead 42-32 after three quarters.
In the final period, Basha would look to climb back after a strong two-handed dunk on a missed shot attempt by 6-foot-7 sophomore Elijah Summers-Livingston, and then consecutive three-pointers by 6-foot-3 junior guard Drew Hall. After another three-pointer by Mason Magee, Basha would climb to within 5 points of Perry, 52-47.
Another three-pointer late from No No Brown and then a monster two-handed baseline dunk by Peat over a defender would give Perry a nice 64-53 home victory.
D'Andre Harrison would also finish with 14 points and 8 rebounds in the home win for Perry.
