Eliav Gabay
I’m always looking to see what the hype is all about…
After chatting with Prep Hoops’ Gregg Rosenberg about the high octane 6A division in Arizona high school basketball this year, I had to stop by Basha’s jam-packed gym as the Bears hosted the, now 15-1, Perry Pumas.
Perry came out victorious, but both teams delivered on the hype.
When seeing the stands as full as they were – with only standing room options if you arrived too late – Brad Cesmat and I agreed this type of matchup featuring the likes of Perry’s Koa Peat and Basha’s Mason Magee could’ve even stuffed an arena.
I’m all about playing high school games on campus, but @PerryPumaMBB v @Basha basketball could be held in a bigger arena, if we had one in the SE Valley. pic.twitter.com/WWJAZrTuzW
— Brad Cesmat (@bradcesmat) January 11, 2025
Basha made this game interesting behind gritty defense and star junior guard Magee doing all he could for the team.
He showed his ability to get to the cup, get to the line, and make shots with hands in his face. Perry had to make adjustments at halftime to contain him – specifically focused on shutting down those lanes.
It isn’t easy to shoulder the responsibility Magee does on a nightly basis and he consistently steps up to the challenge.
Bears freshman guard Kingston Montague helped take some of the weight off Magee by way of spreading the floor.
Most impressive aspect of Perry’s game, as it always is with Sam Duane-led teams, is its powerhouse defense.
That’s what fueled them to a blowout victory after Basha kept it close in the first half.
And by the way, if you haven’t been paying attention, the Pumas aren’t just “The Peat Show.”
Actually, senior wing D’Andre Harrison and senior guard Dominic Avalos stole the spotlight in this one.
Let’s start with the fact that Harrison and Peat on the same defense is just unfair. What a suffocating combo. Not to mention the perimeter Pumas holding it down – good luck getting a clean look off.
When Peat’s midrange wasn’t falling, Harrison was there to clean up the glass. His poise around the hoop was noticeable throughout.
As far as Avalos – you better keep a man glued to him, cause his ability to shoot from distance will burn you. Time and time again. He’s the “best shooter in the state,” according to Koa Peat. Avalos’ role can’t be overstated because if you’re forced to keep a defender with him, that opens up the lane for the big fellas.
Peat is obviously a must-double and will always create opportunities for defensive rotation mistakes thanks to his ability to find the open man. That doesn’t mean much, though, if he doesn’t have the proper supporting cast and he definitely has that as the Pumas target their fourth straight state championship.
What makes Peat a special prospect off the court is the way he’s always been a good guy with young fans and has respect for the people around him. He even had that maturity as an underclassman. Colleges CARE about that…
After the game, @PerryPumaMBB’s @kpeat10 stopped to take a picture with everyone who wanted one.
& a lot of people wanted one.
Classy as always 🫡🤝@Sports360AZ pic.twitter.com/oj5mGTwfFu
— Eliav Gabay (@eliavgabay) January 11, 2025
Perry proved, once again, that no matter how deep the 6A talent pool is – the playoffs are gonna come down to knocking off the big dog to take the crown.
