The Republic’s Super 10
Last week may have been the lightest week of the year in Arizona girls’ high school basketball, as most schools took the period between Christmas and New Years’ off. But that doesn’t mean there was no drama, with a handful of teams playing in high profile tournaments. For the first time in 2024, here are The Republic’s Super 10 girls high school basketball teams in the state.
1. Phoenix Xavier Prep, 12-3
The Gators were off last week after playing in the Nike Tournament of Champions just before Christmas. They’re back in action against Anthem Boulder Creek on Thursday, but things really heat up next Tuesday when they travel to Gilbert for what should be one of the best games of the season thus far.
2. Phoenix Desert Vista, 10-4
Like Xavier Prep, Desert Vista was off last week. And like Xavier Prep, Desert Vista has a huge game coming up next Tuesday, with Surprise Valley Vista visiting. That game and a pair against Gilbert will go a long way towards decoding whether Desert Vista can compete with Xavier in the Open Division playoffs.
3. Chandler Hamilton, 10-4
After a week off, Hamilton returns to action on Thursday against Mesa. Their final month of the season is among the toughest in the state, with games against teams like Xavier, Goodyear Millennium and Gilbert Perry.
4. Gilbert, 16-1
The Tigers didn’t play in the Tournament of Champions before Christmas, instead spending their holiday season playing in this week’s Epic Tourneys New Years Classic. They went 3-0 with ease, including a 76-41 win over backto-back reigning 3A champion Whiteriver Alchesay.
5. Goodyear Millennium, 12-6
The gauntlet that was the Tournament of Champions wasn’t enough for Millennium, which followed that up by challenging themselves with a trip to the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic. The Tigers went 2-2 in those games, all of which came against high-level opponents from California in the tournament’s top division. Plus, the two wins came in Millennium’s final two games, enabling them to build some momentum entering the new year.
6. Surprise Valley Vista, 6-3
Whereas Millennium played one of the state’s busiest holiday schedules, their West Valley rivals opted for a three-week break. With a relatively easy conference schedule, that lack of competition could hurt the Monsoon come February. Alternatively, the break could rejuvenate them for the stretch run.
7. Tucson Salpointe Catholic, 10-4
Salpointe Catholic also played in the SoCal Holiday Prep Classic, competing in the second-highest division. The Lancers won their first two games before dropping a pair of nail-biters on Friday and Saturday. It was an encouraging performance from a team that has started to find its stride ahead of the anticipated return of star Taliyah Henderson from injury this month.
8. Gilbert Mesquite, 13-2
Mesquite was off last week after the Tournament of Champions. The Wildcats are back in action this week and have a huge game coming up against Chandler Seton Catholic on Jan. 11.
9. Phoenix Sandra Day O’Connor, 8-4
O’Connor was another team to be out of action in recent days. They face Surprise Shadow Ridge on Thursday in their first game of the new year.
10. Phoenix Country Day School, 10-3
After claiming an impressive win at the Tournament of Champions with their win over Millennium, PCDS returns to action Wednesday against Tempe Prep. But if that win was indicative of this team’s true level, it’s hard to see the Eagles being tested by any 2A opponents. The reigning champions haven’t lost to a school in their conference since Feb. 18, 2022.