PHOENIX, Arizona, March 7 — It’s not the matchup we were expecting.
But it’s still a good one.
We entered the final weekend of Arizona’s AIA boys basketball season anticipating two close semifinal matchups with the two Top 25 favorites ultimately advancing to face each other for a third time this season. But only half of that scenario played out.
Sunnyslope entered its matchup with Basha ranked No. 18 in the latest edition of The Sporting News High School Boys Basketball Top 25 while Millennium logged in at No. 23 before facing St. Mary’s. Sunnyslope and Millennium had already faced each other twice this season, splitting those two matchups and setting up the possibility of an enticing rubber match in the Open Division finale.
In the end, however, only Sunnyslope could hold up its end of the bargain, although both semifinal matchups went to the wire in almost identical outcomes. Sunnyslope evaded a Basha upset, 67-64, but then St. Mary’s nipped Millennium in a 66-64 decision.
The game is set for a 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local) tip.
STREAM: Watch Arizona’s AIA boys basketball Open Division state championship game on the NFHS Network
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FOURTH QUARTER
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Four minutes to play, and it’s still knotted at 48-all.
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Timeout at the 4:52 mark, and they’re tied at 48-all in Phoenix.
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Five minutes to play, and it’s still St. Mary’s in front by a basket, 48-46.
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Just under the six-minute mark, it’s 45-43, St. Mary’s in the lead.
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The final eight minutes are under way!
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END OF THIRD QUARTER — St. Mary’s 43, Sunnyslope 39
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Following Sunnyslope’s 9-point run to regain the lead, St. Mary’s answers with a 6-0 run of their own. They lead by four looking for the upset after three quarters.
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Following a technical foul, Sunnyslope connects on two free throws then follows with a three-pointer with the ensuing possession, and just like that, it’s 9-0 run by Sunnyslope. They lead, 39-37.
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With two minutes to play in the quarter, Sunnyslope has made it a one-possession game again, trailing 37-34.
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And suddenly, St. Mary’s has opened up a 7-point lead at 37-30. That includes a rare four-point play when they were fouled on a successful three-pointer and converted the free throw.
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Approaching the halfway point of the third quarter, and St. Mary’s clings to a 31-30 lead. This one has been close throughout.
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Two minutes into the third quarter, and it’s still Sunnyslope in front by one, 27-26.
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The third quarter is under way!
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END OF SECOND QUARTER — Sunnyslope 25, St. Mary’s 24
It’s been a great game, and the No. 1 seed Sunnyslope heads to the lockers with a one-point lead at the halfway mark.
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Just under the five-minute mark of the second quarter, and it’s Sunnyslope now up, 21-16.
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They’re under way in the second quarter!
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END OF FIRST QUARTER — St. Mary’s 11, Sunnyslope 10
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St. Mary’s into the lead with a big three! It’s 11-8 with the underdogs in front.
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St. Mary’s has rallied to tie it at 8-all approaching the two-minute mark of the first stanza.
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Timeout in Phoenix under the four-minute mark of the first quarter, and Sunnyslope leads, 8-3.
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Halfway through the first quarter, Sunnyslope leads, 6-3.
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And they’re under way in Phoenix! Sunnyslope gets the scoring started, and it’s 2-0 Vikings.
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St. Mary’s vs. Sunnyslope is scheduled for a 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local) tip.
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