The amazing Section 7 event featured many of the top high school programs in the West last weekend. There was certainly a lot of out of state talent in action last weekend, but Arizona basketball enthusiasts were focused on determining, as we do annually, which Arizona high school programs would emerge as the clear favorites next high school season to win the Open Division State Championship. After a season last year that was one for the ages, it proved to be one of the most competitive seasons ever, as numerous programs would look to compete for an Open Division state title. Next high school season, it is very clear that two Arizona high school programs have emerged, as a result of a busy month of June basketball, as the clear favorites to compete for it all - Millennium and Perry High School.
It is only fitting, as these two top-rated Arizona high school programs both competed with one another last high school season for the Open Division State Championship. With Millennium holding on to an impressive double-digit halftime lead, Perry would come from behind in the game's second half to win it all. It only makes sense to run it back again, as both programs have risen to the cream of the crop amongst the state's elite high school basketball programs.
Before the start to the Section 7 event, both Perry and Millennium would receive nice honors, receiving a Top 20 national team ranking among the nation's best high school programs for next season. After a busy and very productive month of June basketball already, both programs would not disappoint in the Section 7 event, as Millennium would finish with an impressive 4-0 record and earn big wins over Mater Dei (CA), St. Joseph (CA), Bishop Gorman (NV) and Archbishop Riordan (CA). Perry would finish 2-2 in the event, but were without the services of superstar 6-foot-8 rising senior and dominant force Koa Peat. Adding Koa Peat to a loaded roster at Perry, makes Perry a better team than they had last season - a team that won it all for a third consecutive season.
In the Section 7 event, Millennium looked terrific as a team, as they went undefeated in very impressive fashion. 6-foot-6 rising junior guard Cameron Holmes had a terrific spring performance on the Nike EYBL circuit, his best ever. He also earned an impressive Top 30 All-Star performance at the amazing Pangos All-American Camp earlier this month. Holmes carried over his exceptional play in this year's Section 7 event, and was dominant throughout the weekend. Holmes' Section 7 performance throughout the weekend was his best performance of his young career, in my opinion. Holmes has risen to another level clearly, and the Millennium team has and will continue to benefit a great deal from his serious talents. Holmes' older brother, DaRon Holmes, was drafted in the NBA's first round this week by the Denver Nuggets in very exciting fashion. I believe this younger Holmes will certainly have the same opportunity in several years.
Matching Holmes' performance throughout the weekend, was 6-foot-8 rising senior forward Kingston Tosi. Tosi also had the best performance of his young career in this event, and was absolutely impressive in his ability to make and finish plays throughout the weekend, while displaying excellent length and athleticism. Tosi also had a terrific spring for himself on the Under Armour circuit with the AZ Select, so he had numerous coaches already following him. Tosi's performance in the Section 7 event though would catapult him to a new level in his college recruitment, and he has since received close to (20) different Division-I offers this week. In my (29) years now of covering Arizona basketball, I have seen this happen, but very rarely for an Arizona prospect. Tosi has absolutely blown up and is now the hottest prospect in our state.
The combination of Holmes and Tosi next season will be a formidable lineup for opposing teams. While they have played together already for two seasons, these two elite prospects are both at their best now, and will certainly be ready to lead Millennium to an Open Division State Championship next season. Much of the Millennium team has also been together for two seasons, so this team plays with excellent poise and confidence. If last weekend's Section 7 performance was a good indicator, then this team will definitely be able to close out the championship victory next high school season.
Perry was without the services of Koa Peat in the Section 7 event, so they were nowhere near full strength in this year's Section 7 event. Peat was with the USA Team in workouts last weekend, so his dominant presence would be missed in the event, but Perry is so loaded with talent from top to bottom, that they would still have a strong performance in the event. While watching Perry in the event, you could easily see that with the addition of "Thanos" back into their lineup, this Perry team would look tremendous. 6-foot-5 rising senior D'Andre Harrison was absolutely dominant in the event, as he posted extreme numbers in his team's (4) games. Harrison also had a strong spring performance for himself, so his strong play was just a continuation of his performance. Harrison proved once again that in Peat's absence, he is an absolute force for Perry. The addition of Peat does not slow down Harrison either. While he has received some offers for sure up to this point in the summer, Harrison received two offers this week, but is well deserving of many more.
The combination of Peat and Harrison will be dominant again next season, but what takes this Perry team to another level though is the extreme emergence of 6-foot-7 rising sophomore Bruce Branch. Branch was a factor last season as a mere freshman for this program, but his sophomore season will be a major step forward for this young and talented prospect. Branch has grown (3) inches since last high school season, which is ridiculous. His body and upside remind me clearly of former Arizona superstar high school product Richard Jefferson, at the same age. Branch will become a superstar in his own right over time, but college coaches are getting in line now. Branch was among the hottest young prospects in Arizona this spring, as he received numerous Division-I offers, led by a big offer from the University of Texas. Branch is a budding young star, and the combination of him with Peat and Harrison will be one of the best ever next high school season. Several other prospects on the Perry team have developed also, led by the development and performance of 5-foot-10 rising senior guard No No Brown and 6-foot-7 rising senior forward Trey McKinney. This lineup will certainly have Perry looking to win a fourth consecutive state championship, and third consecutive Open Division State Championship.
While there will certainly be numerous other programs next high school season that will be in the conversation to win an Open Division title, Perry and Millennium have once again emerged as the clear favorites to win it all next high school season. It will be another very exciting high school season for sure in 2024-2025.
