In the Arcadia area of Phoenix , two prep heavyweights went toe-to-toe as  Bella Vista Prep Bears  hosted  AZ Compass Prep Dragons  on senior night in a game that had playoff-level intensity from the jump. Compass came out aggressively early. Eighth grader Alaysia Peace set the tone by opening the scoring, and the Dragons looked comfortable pushing the pace. Bella Vista answered behind junior guard Ylena Gross , who consistently got downhill in transition, and senior Izabel

On Tuesday night, we had a battle between two teams ranked in the first AIA Open Division rankings. Campo Verde checked in at No. 2 while Gilbert came in at No.10. Campo is coming off stellar showings in the She Got Game Classic in Dallas and the Las Vegas Classic in December. Gilbert is limping into the second half of their season, missing Portland State signee Aspen McClees , who is out for the remainder of the season. This game was worth the hype and then some. Fresh

This game had big energy before it even tipped off. Both teams came into the game ranked in the Top 10 of the initial AIA Open Division rankings, with Millennium sitting at No. 1 and Hamilton right there in the mix at No. 6. You had the defending Open Division champions on one side in Millennium and the reigning 6A champions on the other in Hamilton . Championship DNA was on both benches. Add in the fact that the game was played at Millennium during school hours, with th

This one had the feel of a playoff game from the opening tip. Momentum swings, tough shot-making, questionable moments, and players who wanted the ball when it counted most. Sandra Day O’Connor walked out with a 51–50 win, but Valley Vista made them earn every inch of it. Valley Vista was down senior forward Deja Strong , but O'Connor was also missing guard Franny Sofia , who will make her debut next week. Valley Vista came out aggressive and confident, jumping on SDO ear

The  Nike Tournament of Champions  once again delivered elite-level competition in December 2025, bringing the nation’s top programs to the Arizona Athletic Grounds . Over five days, well over 200 college coaches—most from the NCAA Division I level—lined the sidelines, and every division produced moments that matched the event’s reputation. At the top of the list was a championship rematch in the Vincent Cannizzaro Division, but the path to the title featured several early-ro

From the opening tip, Kellis and Higley played at a pace that felt more like mid-February than early-season action. Kellis struck first, jumping out to a quick 7–3 lead behind senior point guard  Shanielle Mallory , who immediately set the tone. Mallory controlled the tempo offensively, pushed the ball at every opportunity, and applied her usual disruptive pressure on the defensive end—collecting multiple steals before the first quarter was over. Pressure forced Higley in

In a matchup that felt like a mid-season playoff preview, Campo Verde and Highland traded blows all night before the Coyotes finally pulled away late for a 66–61 win. The tone was set early when Kenzie Lewis knocked down a jumper two minutes in to break the early scoring drought for both teams. From there, both teams dug in defensively—possessions were physical, and contested every trip down court. Highland found the first real rhythm, stringing together a quick run to go

The 2025–2026 season enters with high expectations and plenty of firepower across the 6A conference. Millennium , the reigning Open Division champions, once again looks like the team everyone will need to get through. The addition of T’Maea Eteuati brings versatility to a group already powered by dynamic point guard Dashia Richardson , super sophomore Mariah Brownlee , and explosive freshman Brooklyn Williams . Rival Valley Vista remains a perennial contender with continui

The 5A division in  Arizona  girls' basketball might be the deepest it’s been in a while. The defending champs still look dangerous, but the gap is closing, and a wave of new talent is coming fast. Here’s what the road to the 2026 title is starting to look like. Until further notice, Canyon View is still the program everyone is chasing. The Jaguars repeated as 5A state champions after taking down Kellis in the title game, and they return a core of players who know how to w

The 2025–26 4A girls basketball season is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most competitive in recent years. Flagstaff enters the year as the defending 4A champion after Coach Tyrone Johnson and the Eagles secured the title over Eastmark — their second championship in the last three seasons. What stands out with Flagstaff is culture and consistency. Sunshine Begoody , Carter Edison , and Lexi Neal headline a returning core that knows how to win. If they’re healthy

The 3A girls basketball landscape in Arizona is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Between defending champs looking to repeat, programs returning deep veteran cores, and a handful of emerging freshmen who could shift the balance of power, this season is stacked with storylines from top to bottom. Expect a fast, physical, and wide-open race to the finish. Snowflake enters the year as the reigning 3A champion after ending a 28-year title drought la

The small-school landscape in Arizona girls basketball is starting to heat up again, and if last season taught us anything, it’s that the gap between the top teams in 1A and 2A is closing fast. Programs are loading up, stars are emerging, and several teams are entering the year with unfinished business. Here’s an early look at who’s shaping the conversation heading into the 2025-26 season. 1A Joseph City walks into the new season with a target on its back — and for good rea

Will be held at Millennium High School : 14802 West Wigwam Blvd Goodyear, AZ 85395 More info coming soon! Register here