State basketball championship storylines for Feb. 25

February 24, 2012 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


The final day of the 2011-2012 basketball season dawns Saturday Feb. 25 with eight state title games -- six at Jobing.com Arena in Glendale (D-I, II, III boys and girls) and two at Tim'sToyota Center in Prescott Valley (D-IV boys and girls).

Here are some storylines for each matchup, beginning with games at Jobing.com Arena:

10 a.m: Division II girls -- No. 1 Peoria vs. No. 3 Seton Catholic -- Peoria hasn't won a girls title since winning back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993 when the sport was split with winter and spring champions (Peoria won 4A spring crowns). Seton Catholic is looking for its third consecutive state title. The Lady Sentinels won the 4A-II title each of the last two years. Coach Karen Self, who recently won the 500th game of her career, has won five state titles in 20 seasons at Seton.

Noon: Division II boys -- No. 4 Peoria vs. No. 3 Amphitheater -- Peoria is the only school in the state this year to have both its basketball teams playing for a championship. The last school to win boys and girls titles in the same season was 4A Thunderbird in 2003. Amphitheater is seeking its second straight title, having won the 4A-II crown last year.

2 p.m.: Division I girls -- No. 12 Hamilton vs. No. 3 St. Mary's -- Hamilton is appearing and playing for its first basketball title in school history (it opened in 1998). The Lady Huskies are the lowest seed this season (12) to reach a title game. St. Mary's is looking for its second title in a row and trying to cap a perfect season (30-0) if the Lady Knights prevail. The Lady Knights would be the first girls title team in the state to go unbeaten since, well, St. Mary's in 2004.

4 p.m.: Division I boys -- No. 6 Cesar Chavez  vs. No. 1 Corona del Sol -- Cesar Chavez is seeking its first basketball title ever. The Champions were runner-up in 2010. Corona del Sol is out to win its first boys title since 1994. That 1994 title came under coach Sammy Duane Sr. Sam Sr.'s son, Sam, Jr., is looking for his first title. The Aztecs were runner-up under Duane Jr. to Mesa Mountain View in 2006.

6 p.m.: Division III boys -- No. 4 Thatcher vs. No. 2 Gilbert Christian -- Thatcher was the 2A runner-up to Westwind Prep last year, and has moved up a notch in competition. Gilbert Christian was 1A runner-up to Orme last year. The move up to Division III, a couple notches above last season. One of them won't have to settle for runner-up this season.

8 p.m.: Division III girls -- No. 7 Winslow vs. No. 1 Page -- Page has been a power in 4A; Winslow a power in 3A. Now the two outstanding programs are in the same tournament. Winslow has won four 3A titles in the last eight years while Page has been a 4A or 4A-II runner-up five of the past seven years. Page last won a title in 1999.

At Tim's Toyota Center

4 p.m.: Division IV girls --  No. 6 Joseph City vs. No. 1 Tempe Prep -- Joseph City has won five girls hoops titles -- four 1A crowns in succession (1976-1979). Since then it has won one title (2001) and been runner-up twice (1990 and 2000). Tempe Prep is seeking its first girls basketball title, having only competed in small school conferences for a few years.

6 p.m.: Division IV boys -- No. 4 Arizona Lutheran vs. No. 2 Phoenix Country Day -- Arizona Lutheran has played in four title games in the past, two each in 2A and 1A. It won the 1A crown in 1999 and finished runner-up two years in row in 2A (2005-2006). Phoenix Country Day has never played for a boys basketball championship. PCD and Arizona Lutheran played twice during the regular season. Arizona Lutheran won both games.