The Arizona 2015-2016 high school basketball season got underway this week around the state with numerous high school basketball tournaments taking place, and with many of the state's teams in action. The Arizona Preps' staff again took in some of the action at this year's Sunnyslope Hoopsgiving Basketball Tournament - with day 3 of the event taking place on Wednesday evening as the action heated up in the tournament's semi-final games.
In the first semi-final match-up, Brophy Prep (3-0) would face an athletic Mountain Pointe (2-1) group. Brophy Prep, led by new first-year varsity head coach Matt Hooten, would continue their strong play in the event and build an early lead in the game. After Brophy Prep would hold on to a late lead in the game's fourth period, Mountain Pointe would attempt to make a late comeback, behind some late game agressive play from 6-foot senior guard Malik Simmons and 5-foot-9 senior guard Malik Roundtree.
Brophy Prep would get another strong effort from 6-foot-9 junior post Sean Dunn, and also would get an inspired effort from their team, while without the services of 6-foot-3 senior guard Bo Brunkhorst (injury). Brophy would hold on to advance to the tournament's championship game with a 65-62 victory.
Brophy will face host Sunnyslope HS (3-0) in the tournament final on Friday evening. Sunnyslope would hold on late to defeat a talented Sunrise Mountain HS (2-1) team, 50-47.
Sunrise Mountain has their best team in many years, led by the superb guard play of 6-foot-5 senior guard Elijah Thomas (Saint Mary's College signee). Elijah Thomas (pictured) is among the state's elite individual talents and, from the guard position, he is a lot for an opposing team to handle, as a result of his nice size and athleticism. The strong guard play of the young Sunnyslope group would give Thomas fits early, as Sunnyslope would jump out to a narrow 28-27 halftime lead.
Sunnyslope HS 6-foot-3 senior guard Dane Maggi would have a good night, and his ability to stretch the defense with his perimieter shooting would create problems for Sunrise Mountain. The overall toughness and grittiness of the Sunnyslope guards would also prove to be a lot for Sunrise Mountain to handle.
The third period would prove to be very big for the Vikings, after consecutive three-pointers late in the third period by 5-foot-9 sophomore guard Jaran Whitfield and 6-foot-1 senior guard Hank Hibbeler would give Sunnyslope a 10-point margin, 41-31. But after a technical foul was called on a Sunnyslope player, Elijah Thomas would finally get going. Thomas would convert 3 of 4 free-throws, before being fouled at the buzzer on a driving basket in transition. Two more free- throws from Thomas would pull Sunrise Mountain to within one-point, 41-40, of Sunnyslope at the end of three periods.
Late in the game, Thomas would make a nice assist to 6-foot-3 junior guard Chase Cord, for a layup - pulling Sunrise Mountain to within a two-point margin, 49-47. After 1 of 2 free-throws by 5-foot-11 sophomore guard Bryson MeWhinney, Sunnyslope would hold on to a 50-47 lead, before a missed three-pointer at the buzzer by Sunrise Mountain would earn them the victory.
Sunnyslope's win would be their closest of the event. Sunnyslope blew out Camelback HS 73-37 in the first round, and also blew past Bradshaw Mountain, 71-38 , in the second round.
For the second year in a row, Brophy Prep will face Sunnyslope in the Hoopsgiving tournament final on Friday at 7PM.
