Riders meet Lions for tile on Saturday

Lions ousted Pima from Copper tourney

By Raymundo Frasquillo

PHOENIX – Top ranked Pima (15-3 seeding, 16.5213 rating) will face No. 2 Phoenix North Valley Christian 16-2, 15.3555) for the 2A state title on Saturday, Feb. 28. The site is the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, 1826 West McDowell, with an 11:15 a.m. tip-off.

The teams both advanced via semifinal wins, Pima 36-26 over No. 5 Fountain Hills (13-5, 11.8654) and North Valley Christian 66-48 over No. 3 Scottsdale Christian (14-4, 14.7650) on Feb. 26.

During the most recent five seasons (2021-25), Pima is 10-4 during the state playoffs, seeded No. 2 and finishing as the state champion in 2023.

North Valley Christian is 12-3, seeded No. 2 in 2024 and ending second (3-1), No. 1 in 2023 and 2021, ending both seasons as state champions (4-0) in the 1A Class.

The Lions are 1-1 as No. 3 in their initial 2A season during 2025.

North Valley Christian has a 60-53 win over the Roughriders during the Copper (1A-3A Open) Round 1 pairing in Pima on Feb. 11.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Owen Honegger (1) attempts to disrupt Pima senior Keegan Corona (14) as he crosses the mid-court line. The Mohave Accelerated senior had a team-high 14 points and Corona a game-high 21.

Copper No. 11 / 2A No. 2 North Valley Christian Lions (16–2 seeding, 15.3555 rating)

North Valley Christian (23-5 overall, 16-2 seeding, 7-1 West Region for second on nine) is averaging a 64-46 (1,783-1,286) score per game or an 18-point margin through 28 games.

The Lions had seeding wins over Sedona Red Rock (71-15, Dec. 2), Phoenix Christian (60-53, Dec. 5), Scottsdale Rancho Solano Prep (56-50, Dec. 10), Fountain Hills (57-44, Dec. 16), Avondale John Paul II Catholic (83-26, Jan. 6), Camp Verde (54-51, Jan. 10), Wickenburg (65-32, Jan. 12), Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (75-46, Jan. 15), Arizona Lutheran (64-54, Jan. 20), Wittmann Mountainside (79-32, Jan. 22), Glendale Trivium Prep (75-39, Jan. 27), Tempe Prep (75-37, Jan. 28), Benson (82-29, Jan. 30), Avondale Highland Prep West (83-49), and Kingman Academy (84-41). The losses were to Scottsdale Christian (36-66, Jan. 14) and Glendale Prep (40-46, Jan. 23).

Additionally, the Lions went 2-1 during their 3-day own tourney and 2-1 during the Mesa Westwood 3-day tourney. The wins were over Phoenix Northwest Christian (53-51, Dec. 18), Glendale Cactus (58-49, Dec. 20), Westwood (60-56), and Oregon Banks (73-50, Dec. 29) while the losses were to Yuma Catholic (61-62) and Surprise Valley Vista (48-49).

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Brendan Skiba (15) defends against an interior pass by Mohave Accelerated sophomore Myles Moffatt (23). The Pima senior contributed five points and Moffatt two.

North Valley Christian also went 1-1 during the Copper tourney, topping Pima (60-53, Feb. 11) and falling 53-70 to Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (53-70, Feb. 13).

A 13-member roster has three seniors, six juniors, two sophomores, and two freshmen. The seniors are Owen Malloy (20), Drew Ruelas (21), and Noah Tabak (25); juniors Tyler Barela (34), Noah Corrigan (30), SimonMorales (33), Zathan Ruffin (32), Brayden Schmidt (10), and DallasWalker (15); sophomores Jackson Marshall (12) and Jarren Ojanen (14); and freshmen Gabe Ruffin (23) and Monte Smith (24).

The Randy Walker-coached Lions competed in the 9-member 2A West Region with the Avondale Highland Prep West Hornets, Avondale John Paul II Catholic Lions, the Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated Patriots, the Glendale Prep Griffins, the Glendale Trivium Prep Crimson Knights, the Kingman Academy Tigers, the Wickenburg Wranglers, and the Wittmann Mountainside Wolves.

Copper No. 6 / 2A No. 1 Pima Roughriders (15-3 seeding, 16.5213 rating)

Pima (26-6 overall, 15-3 seeding, 7-1 East Region for second on nine) is averaging a 64-44 (2,062-1,423) score per game or a 20-point margin through 32 games.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Stratton McRae (12) gains inside position for a high percentage second half shot attempt against Mohave Accelerated sophomore Myles Moffatt (23). The Pima junior ended with six points.

The Roughriders had seeding game wins over Benson (62-31, Dec. 2), Scottsdale Christian (60-59, Dec. 6), Lakeside Blue Ridge (75-50, Dec. 8), Safford (60-56 2OT, Dec. 16), Eagar Round Valley (64-34, Jan. 6), Morenci (75-32, Jan. 8), Chandler Prep (98-16, Jan. 9), Gilbert Arete Prep (78-36, Jan. 12), Gilbert Leading Edge (94-23, Jan. 15), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (54-47, Jan. 17), Gilbert Classical (63-36, Jan. 20), Miami (97-45, Jan. 23), Arizona Lutheran (63-36, Jan. 24), Chandler Lincoln Prep (62-19, Jan. 27), San Carlos (63-48, Jan. 30), and New Mexico Silver (52-42, Jan. 31). The losses were to Thatcher (55-61, Jan. 14) and Gilbert San Tan Charter (37-40, Feb. 5).

Additionally, the Roughriders went 6-1 during the Round Valley tourney and 4-1 during the Eastern Arizona Holiday tourney. The wins were over Ganado (57-35, Dec. 11), Whiteriver Alchesay (57-56, Dec. 11), Kayenta Monument Valley (71-36, Dec. 12), Fort Thomas (63-57, Dec. 12), Alchesay (71-47, Dec. 13), Fort Thomas (62-61, Dec. 13), Winkelman Hayden (70-32, Dec. 18), Sahuarita (73-51, Dec. 18), Saint Johns (58-32), and Tucson Sabino (72-66, Dec. 19) while the losses were to Holbrook (52-55, Dec. 13) and Thatcher (58-72, Dec. 20).

The Roughriders also went 0-1 during the Copper (1A-3A Open) tourney, falling to No. 11 Phoenix North Valley Christian (53-60, Feb. 11)as No. 6. Pima is 2-0 during the 2A tourney with wins over No. 8 Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (61-44, Feb. 20) and No. 5 Fountain Hills (36-26, Feb. 26).

A 12-member roster has four seniors, seven juniors, and a sophomore. The seniors are Keaton Bryce (2), Keegan Corona (14), Charles Richardson (32), Isaac Thompson (1); juniors Nash Bodily (13), Gilbert Bryce (0), Joel Mattice (23), Stratton McRae (12), Brendan Skiba (15), Tanner Smith (3), and Haydn Wilkins (5); and sophomore Van Papa (10).

The Cliff Thompson-coached Roughriders competed in the 9-member 2A East Region with the Chandler Lincoln Prep Lightning, the Chandler Prep Titans, the Gilbert Leading Edge Spartans, the Gilbert Classical Spartans, the Gilbert San Tan Charter Roadrunners, the Miami Vandals, and the San Carlos Braves.

2A Semifinals (Feb. 26)

The 2A state tourney Semifinals took place on Feb. 26.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Zathan Ruffin (32) looks for a pass as Pima senior Charles Richardson (32) denies it. The NVCA junior scored 19 points and Richardson four.

It was No. 1 Pima (15-3 seeding, 16.5213 rating) over No. 5 Fountain Hills (13-5, 11.8654) 36-26 in the upper bracket and No. 2 Phoenix North Valley Christian (16-2, 15.3555) over No. 3 Scottsdale Christian (14-4, 14.7650) 66-48 in lower bracket.

2A Quarterfinals (Feb. 20)

The 2A state tourney Quarterfinals took place on Feb. 20, with a pone upset.

Upper bracket pairings had No. 1 Pima (15-3 seeding, 16.5213 rating) over No. 8 Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (12-5, 8.5283) 61-44 andNo. 5 Fountain Hills (13-5, 11.8654) over No. 4 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (14-4, 13.2081) 50-43.

The lower bracket had No. 3 Scottsdale Christian (14-4, 14.7650) over No. 11 Phoenix Veritas Prep (13-5, 7.5425) 66-43 and No. 2 Phoenix North Valley Christian (16-2, 15.3555) over No. 7 San Carlos (11-6, 9.1119) 60-50.

2A Round 1 (Feb. 17)

The 2A state tourney Round 1 took place on Feb. 17. The teams were re-ranked following Copper (1A/3A Open) tourney quarterfinal advancements by Gilbert San Tan Charter and Phoenix Country Day School along with losses by Pima, Phoenix North Valley Christian, and Scottsdale Christian.

There was a lone upset, the lower seed defeating the higher seed.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Roughriders Charles Richardson (32), Keegan Corona (14), Joel Mattice (23), and Stratton McRae (12) line up for a late fourth quarter inbound pass coming out of a time out.

Upper bracket pairings had No. 1 Pima (15-3 seeding, 16.5213 rating) with a bye, No. 8 Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (12-5, 8.5283) overNo. 9 Saint Johns (14-4, 8.2811) 63-54, No. 5 Fountain Hills (13-5, 11.8654) over No. 12 Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (14-5, 7.2912) 61-38, and No. 4 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (14-4, 13.2081) over No. 13 Phoenix Christian (9-8, 6.6239) 49-47.

The lower bracket had No. 3 Scottsdale Christian (14-4, 14.7650) with a bye, No. 11 Phoenix Veritas Prep (13-5, 7.5425) over No. 6 Glendale Prep (13-5, 9.8273) 62-53, No. 7 San Carlos (11-6, 9.1119) over No. 10 Scottsdale Rancho Solano Prep (10-8, 7.8213) 58-48, and No. 2 Phoenix North Valley Christian (16-2, 15.3555) with a bye.

2A Play-in Round (Feb. 13)

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Tanner Smith (3) drives to the basket against North Valley Christian junior Noah Corrigan (30). The Pima junior finished with a team-high 16 points and Corrigan had six.

The 2A Play-in Round participants included teams ranked Nos. 7-24, with all games played on Feb. 13. Morenci made the field and bumped out No. 24 Camp Verde (6-12, 0.9694) via a region second place finish. One upset was recorded.

Results were No. 7 Fountain Hills (13-5 seeding, 11.8654 rating) over No. 24 Morenci (9-9, minus 0.2807) 76-55, No. 8 Glendale Prep (13-5, 9.8273) over No. 23 Avondale Highland Prep West (8-8, 2.0927) 48-46, No. 9 San Carlos (11-6, 9.1119) over No. 22 Chandler Lincoln Prep (10-8, 2.1593) 63-54, No. 10 Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (12-5, 8.5283) over No. 21 Benson (11-7, 2762), and No. 11 Saint Johns (14-4, 8.2811) over No. 20 Willcox (13-5, 2.8273) 67-49.

Other results included No. 12 Scottsdale Rancho Solano Prep (10-8, 7.8213) over No. 19 Eagar Round Valley (12-7, 5.0342) 63-42, No. 13Phoenix Veritas Prep (13-5, 7.5425) over No. 18 Flagstaff Northland Prep (11-6, 5.3410) 64-34, No. 14 Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (14-5, 7.2912) over No. 17 Phoenix Horizon Honors (11-7, 6.5861) 60-51, and No. 16 Phoenix Christian (9-8, 6.6239) over No. 15 Gilbert Classical (13-4, 7.1680) 66-56.

2A Final State Rankings

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Isaac Thompson (1) looks to get rid of the ball as he is forced out-of-bounds by Mohave Accelerated senior Parker White (25). The Pima senior had a point and White 11.

The final statewide rankings for the Top 24 of 52 statewide 2A schools at noon on Feb. 5 were Gilbert San Tan Charter (17-0 seeding, 23.2938 rating) No. 1, Phoenix Country Day School (18-1, 17.3782) No. 2, Pima (15-3, 16.5213) No. 3, Phoenix North Valley Christian (16-2, 15.3555) No. 4, Scottsdale Christian (14-4, 14.7650) No. 5, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (14-4, 13.2081) No. 6, Fountain Hills (13-5, 11.8654) No. 7, and Glendale Prep (13-5, 9.8273) No. 8.

San Carlos (11-6, 9.1119) was No. 9, Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (12-5, 8.5283) No. 10, Saint Johns (14-4, 8.2811) No. 11, Scottsdale Rancho Solano Prep (10-8, 7.8213) No. 12, Phoenix Veritas Prep (13-5, 7.5425) No. 13, Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (14-5, 7.2912) No. 14, Gilbert Classical (13-4, 7.1680) No. 15, and Phoenix Christian (9-8, 6.6239) No. 16.

Phoenix Horizon Honors (11-7, 6.5861) was No. 17, Flagstaff Northland Prep (11-6, 5.3410) No. 18, Eagar Round Valley (12-7, 5.0342) No. 19, Willcox (13-5, 2.8273) No. 20, Benson (11-7, 2762) No. 21, Chandler Lincoln Prep (10-8, 2.1593) No. 22, Avondale Highland Prep West (8-8, 2.0927) No. 23, and Camp Verde (6-12, 0.9694) No. 24.

Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Parker White (25) encounters heavy resistance as he goes up for an inside shot against Pima senior Charles Richardson (32). The Mohave Accelerated senior was one of three Patriots contributing double figures, with 11. Richardson finished with seven points.

The state rankings for the other seven 2A South Region members were Morenci (9-9 seeding, minus 0.2807 rating) No. 25, Desert Christian (10-8, minus 3.1090) No. 31, Tucson Saint Augustine (11-7, minus 4.5539) No. 33, Bisbee (8-7, minus 4.9072) No. 35, Santa Rita (7-11, minus 10.4341) No. 40, San Miguel (3-15, minus 19.7212) No. 50, and Tombstone (2-15, minus 20.5449) No. 51.

Four other 2A East Region member rankings were Arete Prep (8-10 seeding, minus 2.7932) No. 30, Leading Edge (3-13, minus 8.8122) No. 37, Miami (4-14, minus 12.0865) No. 43, and Chandler Prep (0-18, minus 15.0896) No. 46.