The start to the 2024-2025 high school basketball season has been amazing once again in the state's Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA), as each of the state's top teams are looking to position themselves again for a run at this year's Open Division State Championship. We knew going into the season that 3-time State Champion Perry High School (9-0) would definitely be the team to beat, once again. Led by the strong and imposing play of one of the premier players and prospects in the country, 6-foot-8 senior forward Koa Peat, Perry has been dominant throughout his high school career, but this season already looks very different for Perry, as the Pumas have absolutely destroyed their competition this season. Perry came into Friday's night's big match-up with Sunnyslope High School (4-2) on a mission. After falling to Sunnyslope last season (53-52) in one of the few in-state games lost by Perry last season, Peat and his very talented teammates would leave no doubts in Friday evening's exciting match-up with the Vikings.
This year's version of Perry is as good as we have ever seen. It's not just the fact that they have the state's most dominant player possibly in Arizona history, or the fact that they are loaded in their supporting cast of players, or that they are very well coached by one of the state's best ever high school coaches in Sam Duane Jr. This year's team is much more focused defensively, and should be a terrific defensive team all season - making it very difficult for opposing team's to compete with them. Perry's new team defensive mindset showed on Friday evening, as they would jump out to a fast and big 10-2 lead over Sunnyslope with 2:14 left to play in the first period. The length of the Perry team, and the interior defensive presence of Peat, made it very difficult for Sunnyslope to get it going offensively. Missed and contested shots, steals and deflections by Perry would lead to a 12-4 lead after the first quarter for Perry.
In the second period, Peat would continue his dominant play. A monster two-handed dunk in transition by Peat, and then a contested three-pointer by Peat from the wing, would give Perry a 21-8 lead with 5:15 left to play in the first half.
Most of Sunnyslope's first half offensive production would come from inside the paint by 6-foot-10 sophomore post Darius Wabbington. Wabbington is a tremendous young gifted prospect and he went right at Peat inside the paint with no fear. An offensive tap-in over two defenders late in the first half by Wabbington would keep Sunnyslope within striking distance, as Perry would cruise to a 25-16 halftime lead.
The Perry trio of Koa Peat, 6-foot-5 senior DeAndre Harrison (UMKC signee) and 6-foot-7 sophomore Bruce Branch is serious, and among the best trios in the country. They will have a huge season together. They would turn up in the third period and put the game out of reach for Sunnyslope. A mid-range jumper over a defender from Harrison, and then another two-handed dunk in traffic by Peat, after a nice assist from Harrison, and Perry would get rolling.
Make no mistake about it, but Perry 6-foot-3 senior guard Dominic Avalos is an excellent shooter of the basketball, and he plays a very good role for his team. Cederlind knocked down shots all evening for Perry, when he had the opportunity. A three-pointer after being fouled by Cederlind would result in a 4-point play for Perry. After a two-handed dunk by Branch after an assist, and Perry would take a 43-25 lead into the fourth period.
While Sunnyslope would attempt to make a late run in the fourth period, Perry would eventually conclude a 61-52 road victory, in a game that was not that close.
Perry would be led by DeAndre Harrison with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Dominic Avalos with 16 points, while Peat would finish with 12 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks.
Sunnyslope was led by Darius Wabbington with 15 points and 9 rebounds, while 6-foot-6 junior Rider Portela would contribute 13 points in the loss.
It has been a great season thus far, as Sandra Day O'Connor, Sunnyslope and Millennium have each emerged as the top competition for Perry this high school season, but Perry still looks to be the clear favorite to win their fourth consecutive State Championship and third consecutive Open Division title.
Recruiting Notes: Assistant coaches from University of Arizona (TJ Benson), Stanford (Derrick Wroeble) and University of Texas (Brandon Chappell) were each in attendance last night for the game.
