While many states have all of their state title games on the same day in the same building, it has become a growing trend to stretch the games out over an entire week. The state of Arizona (Arizona Interscholastic Association) was one of those states. Having already played five championship games throughout the week, there were only two remaining for championship Saturday at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum: The Class 6A Final between Brophy College Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Mesa (Ariz.), and the Open Division ‘chip between three-time reigning state champion Perry (Gilbert, Ariz.) and Sunnyslope (Phoenix, Ariz.).
In the matinee, Brophy College Prep took home its first state title against perennial power Mesa, 62-49. An uber-talented team, Mesa was the underdog (#11 seed), but boasted an insanely strong group of underclassmen, paced by five star Jakyi “KyiKyi” Miles. Ultimately, the upperclassmen laden Brophy squad came out on top, largely due to the contributions from Daylen Sharper (son of former NFL Pro Bowl safety Darren Sharper) and Luke Wieskamp (brother of former Spurs and Raptors, now current NBL wing Joe Wieskamp).
Perry, ranked No. 23 nationally in the latest Ballislife FAB 50 and trending upwards, completed its season-long goal by winning its fourth consecutive AIA Open Division State Championship. The 63-44 victory over a talented Sunnyslope squad also proved to be the eighth state championship for Perry head coach Sam Duane, tying him for the most in AIA history. It also culminated the legendary career of 6-foot-8 McDonald’s All-American Koa Peat who remains one of the three best (along with 6-foot-10 Nate Ament and 6-foot-4 Brayden Burries) unsigned seniors left on the board.
Another McDonald’s All-American also completed a four-peat in a power state and major classification on Saturday evening. That happened to be for the nation’s No. 1 team in the FAB 50, Columbus (Miami, Fla.), as Cameron Boozer, the 2023 Mr. Basketball USA and a strong candidate this year, led the Explorers to a fourth straight crown in Class 7A state crown. The historic title came courtesy of a 68-34 victory over Windmere (Fla.).
Duke-bound Cameron Boozer has 20 points and nine rebounds in the victory and cemented himself, alongside Peat in Arizona, as one of high school basketball’s all-time winners for a team looking for a FAB 50 national title. Columbus in now eligible for Chipotle Nationals, which is set for April 3-5 in Indianapolis.
We’ll talk more about these historic four-peats in this week’s FAB 50, but for now let’s take a look at the top performers at the AIA state tournament:
Koa Peat, 6’8, SF/PF, Perry HS (Ariz.), 2025
In the ultimate test of perseverance, Koa Peat played his final two high school games with a fractured shooting hand and came out on top with Perry. Clearly favoring his right hand, the Compton Magic product made a number of plays with his left hand, dunked the ball softly to not suffer further injury, and made his presence felt defensively. It was clear that he was still quite hurt, yet Peat showed a ton of intestinal fortitude to be out there with his teammates one final time. Finishing with 20 points on the night, the five star recruit walked away as a champion and will be having surgery Monday morning.
Jakyi “Kyi Kyi” Miles, 6’4, PG, Mesa HS (Ariz.), 2028
One of the truly elite point guards in the class of 2028, Kyi Kyi Miles was the spark for a Mesa team that shocked everyone in the state by making it to the 6A title game. Against Brophy, the freshman got to his spots at will, utilized his size to elevate over defenders for pull-up jumpers, and played the game with a poise you typically don’t see out of someone in their first year of high school. The nephew of Mesa/Arizona State legend Jahii Carson has made it clear that he will be carving out his own legacy at Mesa.
Luke Wieskamp, 6’6, SF, Brophy College Prep (Ariz.), 2025
A player who I hadn’t seen before, Wieskamp definitely showed that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Having covered his older brother Joe (who is now playing pro in the NBL in Australia, but was previously with the Spurs and Raptors), I was familiar with he game that the Iowans brought to the table. Little bro showed that he is an ideal outside/inside forward who can rebound the ball, shoot it from deep, and exploit mismatches at either spot. The 15 points that he scored were essential in Brophy’s state title game win and he is an outstanding get for D2 Menlo College in Palo Alto, Calif.
D’Andre Harrison, 6’5, SF/PF, Perry HS (Ariz.), 2025
A true joy to watch, Harrison is the type of glue guy that allows a program like Perry to win four straight state titles. Able to play either forward spot, the senior finished through contact, was a presence on the glass on both ends of the hardwood, and blew by defenders with his first step. Tied with Peat for leading scorer at 20 points, D’Andre should see immediate minutes in the Summit League next season at UMKC.
Darius Wabbington, 6’10, C, Sunnyslope HS (Ariz.), 2027
One of the best big men in the sophomore class, Wabbington played with a ton of confidence in the final against Perry and showed the unique skill set that he brings to the table. Able to play inside and out, Wabbington was a beast down low with his gorgeous footwork, exhibited nice vision passing out of post, and showed potential as a 3-point shooter. The five star big man is ranked 10th in the country by ESPN and continues to make strides in the right direction with his development.
Bruce Branch III, 6’7, SF, Perry HS (Ariz.), 2027
With Koa Peat’s graduation, Bruce Branch III is next in line for Perry. The silky smooth swingman is an effortless 3-point shooter, uses his size to exploit mismatches against smaller defenders, and has shown immense potential on the defensive end. Ranked No. 2 in the national class of 2027 by On3, the sky is the limit for Branch III, who reminds us of Allan Houston in high school.
