Open champion Perry leads final Super 10 list
After a month-long Open Division state boys basketball high school tournament, it’s over. Not a lot of surprises. The team expected to win it all did so. But some emerged with flying colors.
These are The Arizona Republic’s final top 10 ranked high school boys basketball teams for the 2022-23 season, regardless of conference.
Final Super 10
1. Gilbert Perry Pumas, 30-1
It would be a surprise if they’re not invited to play in the GEICO Nationals in April, they were that dominant. Led by a pair of 6-foot-8 five-star recruits, sophomore Koa Peat and senior Cody Williams, both forces on the court and two of the most unselfish, humble players you will find with all that talent.
2. Scottsdale Desert Mountain Wolves, 25-5
They knocked eventual 6A champion Highland out of the Open, and gave Perry its closest game, losing by 14, in the Open tournament during the semifinals. Freshman twins Kaden and Kalek House have established this team as one to be reckoned with over the next three years.
3. Gilbert Highland Hawks, 29-3 Remarkable season with Todd Fazio getting the most out of an all-guards team. Noah Peterson and Brock Knollmiller were incredible in the doubleovertime thriller over Brophy Prep and Hayden Winegar’s late 3 will be remembered forever by Highland in their 6A championship win.
4. Phoenix Sunnyslope Vikings, 25-6
Getting to the Open final was an incredible feat for a team that wasn’t expected to get there, but a team that had only one senior blew out eventual 5A champion Campo Verde in the second round, beat St. Mary’s in overtime in the quarterfinals, before blowing out Basha in the semifinal to get to face Perry in the final.
5. Phoenix St. Mary’s Knights, 16-13
Throw out the record. Playing more out-of-state teams than anybody on this list, the Knights peaked at the right time and came close to getting to the Open semifinal, behind the great play of junior guard Styles Phipps, who will go down as one of the best players in school history before he’s done.
6. Phoenix Brophy Prep Broncos, 24-9
After losing to Basha in the second round of the Open, they got rolling in the 6A tournament all the way to the final thanks to a big shot by Arman Madi to beat Boulder Creek in the semifinals, before taking Highland to two OTs, behind the brilliant play of junior guard Braeden Speed in a heartbreaking loss.
7. Chandler Basha Bears, 25-5
Led by freshman point guard Mason Magee, this young team lost to only three teams — Perry twice, Brophy twice and Sunnyslope. They’ll be back with a good shot at winning the Open next season.
8. Peoria Liberty Lions, 22-7
They dealt with injuries, but when they were all together and fully loaded, they were tough to beat, reaching the Open quarterfinals, before falling to Perry 79-60.
9. Gilbert Campo Verde Coyotes, 28-4
They won the school’s first 5A state title with an all-around team effort, but for much of the season, guard Isaiah Kai was front and center with coach Mark Martinez knowing how to get his team to win the big game, beating a talented Millennium team in the end.
10. Peoria Panthers, 28-4
With star point guard Andrew Camacho back for the playoffs, the Panthers really got rolling on their way to their first 4A state title since 2012, beating Glendale Deer Valley a third time, 65-57, in the final.