While we are still awaiting the big college decision from Arizona basketball superstar, 6-foot-8 senior Koa Peat, which is still unknown, one thing is for certain, Perry High School is the state's 3-time defending State Champions and they will are our pre-season favorite to win another Open Division State Championship this season - the program's fourth consecutive state title. Another state championship for Perry and Koa Peat, would become four-straight state titles in the four-year career for Koa Peat - an amazing and historic honor, for one of the most dominant players ever to grace the Arizona basketball hardwood. It would be well deserved for Peat and his Perry teammates to post such an honor, but they will have a lot of opposition this high school season again, to make such a historic moment take place.
Last high school season, Perry looked to be the pre-season clear favorite to win it all. After winning two consecutive state championships previously, a 6A State Championship and the state's first ever Open Division State Championship, Perry was the clear pre-season favorite to win it all again, but the state of Arizona's top programs had a very different goal, as many of the state's top programs emerged in the exciting hunt to win an Open Division State Title. It was an electric season, as Millennium, Desert Mountain, Sunnyslope and Notre Dame Prep each fought hard all season to win the ultimate Open Division crown. At different points in the high school season, Perry no longer looked as the favorite, as each of these programs fought hard to get it done, but Perry would eventually emerge victorious - winning their third consecutive state championship.
All season we watched the top high school programs in the state go at it almost every night, as programs from different divisions and locations around the state competed hard for an opportunity to win it all. While most teams in the state competed for a chance at a winning season, the elite programs in the state competed for this year's Open Division State Championship. After considering many different programs this high school season to win the Open Division State Championship, in the end, they were who we thought they were. Perry High School, the two-time defending state champions, would win their third consecutive state championship, with a big come-from-behind win over then #1 ranked Millennium High School. With the game firmly in the grasp of Millennium at halftime, Koa Peat and his Perry teammates would not be denied, as Peat led his team to the big second half championship performance.
Perry would win the Open Division State Championship last season, with a big come-from-behind win that utilized a total team effort to overcome a very talented Millennium program. For Perry Head Coach Sam Duane Jr. and his coaching staff, this one had to be the sweetest of their three consecutive state championships, as it took a total team effort and sacrifice down the stretch to win it all.
Last season, I spoke about the fact that Perry would need strong contributions from their supporting cast to get it done, and while Koa Peat was dominant all season long, as he always is, the performances last season from his teammates, ultimately made the difference in the end. A fitting end to an excellent high school season, one of the best ever, proving that teams still win championships. This will definitely be the case again this season, as everyone will again be gunning for Perry.
Perry is still not the dominant team they were two seasons ago when Koa Peat teamed up with current NBA performer Cody Williams (Utah Jazz - 10th overall NBA Draft pick) to go almost undefeated on the season, but, from top to bottom, this year's team looks to be better.
Perry will again be led by the dominant overall play of the state's best overall talent and prospect, 6-foot-8 senior superstar Koa Peat. Peat is as dominant a player as there is in the country, and he is almost unstoppable in Arizona AIA basketball. Peat will again be an absolute dominant force this high school season, but will need to continue to rely heavily on his teammate supporting cast to win it all again. Peat will see a lot of defensive opposition again designed to slow him down, but it will be very challenging for opposing teams, as Perry is absolutely loaded this season. 6-foot-5 senior forward D'Andre Harrison (UMKC signee) had a major breakout season last year, and was huge down the stretch for Perry in their state title run. Harrison (pictured left) had an excellent spring and summer for himself, and recently signed with the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Harrison will have a big senior season, and is a very difficult match-up in his own right for opposing teams. The combination of Harrison and Peat is formidable and will be the best one-two punch in the state this high school season.
The biggest emergence and addition for Perry this season will be the rapid development and play of 6-foot-7 sophomore Bruce Branch. Branch was a mere freshman last season, but was an integral part of an Open Division State Championship team at Perry High School - setting him up for an amazing high school future and career. Branch will now be a major contributor for this year's team, as he is a tremendous young talent with size and serious versatility. Branch emerged during the spring and summer club season as one of the elite 2027 prospects in the West. Branch has received numerous Division-I offers already from some very big college programs, as a result of his promise as a college prospect- receiving offers from such programs as Texas, West Virginia, Xavier, Nevada, Fresno State and Tarleton State. Branch will also now certainly have a much bigger role this season on a veteran-led Perry team that will certainly be the favorite again to win another Open Division State Championship. Branch will be a major difference-maker this season for Perry.
5-foot-10 senior point guard No No Brown has provided excellent backcourt depth and support over the years, but this season, look for Brown to be a major factor every night for the Perry attack. Brown had an excellent summer for this team. I also look for 6-foot-7 senior Trey McKinney to have a breakout season for and also provide interior depth for Head Coach Sam Duane Jr., among numerous others that will play a vital role for Perry this season.
This Perry team should be absolutely dominant this high school season, but they will need to continue to work as a team to win each night and support the heroics of Koa Peat, once again. Peat will not have to work as hard this season though, as his team is experienced and loaded with individual talent. They will surely have serious opposition this season, but I look for Perry High School to win their fourth consecutive crown this high school season, as this season will ultimately go down in the record books, as we wrap up the historic career of Koa Peat. The only thing still uncertain is where will Koa Peat ultimately land for college?
