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© Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sunnyslope Vikings guard Rider Portela (15) drives into the lane past Basha Bears forward Maddox Lazor (30) during their semifinal game at Chaparral High School in Scottsdale on March 4, 2026.
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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St. Mary's vs. Sunnyslope is scheduled for a 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local) tip.
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How can I watch St. Mary's vs. Sunnyslope today?
- Date: 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local) Saturday, March 7
- WATCH ON NFHS NETWORK: Watch Arizona's AIA boys basketball Open Division state championship game on the NFHS Network
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