San Tan Charter (29-3) finished off another impressive season on Saturday, winning their last (18) games on the season, and defeating a tough Rancho Solano Prep (24-6) team in the 2A State Championship game on Saturday, 69-54, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. 5-foot-8, 150-pound freshman stud guard Peyton Lubash was terrific all season for San Tan Charter, and came up big down the stretch for San Tan in their state title run, setting this program up for a bright future, as this young team will return many of it's top talent going forward, led by the heroics of Lubash from the point guard position.
On Saturday, San Tan Charter overcame an early 15-point deficit to Rancho Solano - finishing the third period on a 22-0 run and ultimately winning the contest. San Tan Charter was tough defensively down the stretch in their state title run, the program's first ever 2A State Championship, as they locked up defensively, led by the leadership of the young and very competitive Peyton Lubash, who proved this high school season why he is regarded as one of the state's top overall 2027 prospects.
A mere freshman, Lubash poured in serious numbers as a freshman to propel his team to the big season finish. Lubash led this team in numerous statistical categories this season, but led the team in scoring - averaging an impressive 21.2 points per/game this season. He also facilitated the offense all season for this group, and applied defensive pressure on opposing guards. Lubash hit numerous shots down the stretch for San Tan on Saturday, that helped his team come from behind to get the big victory. Lubash finished with 16 points in the win, while6-foot-1 junior guard Zaire Richardson finished with a team-high 17 points for the Roadrunners. 6-foot-1 freshman Jase Benjamin finished with 11.
The future is very bright for the San Tan Charter program, as the program has compiled an amazing 55-6 overall record the past two seasons. The program will return much of their teams next season, only losing (3) seniors from their roster. Lubash will, of course, lead this program for the next (3) seasons, which will makes things very enjoyable for Head Coach Kyli Crooms and his coaching staff the next few seasons.
Lubash is an electric young guard prospect with a nice overall feel for the game, and an ability to make shots from anywhere on the floor. He plays vey fast and has excellent quickness - making him very difficult for opposing guards to keep in front of them. He is an aggressive driver off the dribble and likes to get into the lane and create scoring opportunities for his teammates, while also being able to finish plays in the lane. While very small in stature, he does not mind physical contact and competes at a high level on both ends of the floor - playing with a passion and love for the game that is infectious to his teammates. He is an excellent shooter with range and a quick release on his shot, and also has a variety of floaters in the lane. A very good ball handler with a herky-jerky offensive handle, Lubash is very difficult to guard one-on-one. He pushes the ball up the floor, and is a floor general with the ball in his hands. Also a very good defender that plays passing lanes, with quick hands and feet.
Lubash is just getting started in his high school career, but he is off to an amazing start, as he is now coming off one of the best freshman seasons in the history of the state - leading his team in scoring as a freshman and helping San Tan Charter win their first ever 2A Division State Championship.
Congratulations to Lubash and his teammates, as well as the San Tan Charter coaching staff and the entire program on winning this year's state title.
I look forward to watching Lubash continue to develop as a player and as a college prospect, and am excited for the remainder of his high school career, to see what else he will accomplish.
