By Jacob Seliga
Lead Writer
From the beginning of the season, it's been evident that no team was head and shoulders above the rest in the Arizona girls' basketball scene.
Multiple teams have made claims to be the team to beat, and the list has changed dramatically throughout the season leading to now.
On Tuesday night, 32 of the best big school girls basketball teams will face off as their journey to being the best of the best will start in gyms throughout the state.
With the postseason set to begin, here’s a look at some of the top teams, as well as a prediction on how the bracket will turn out.
The Favorites
Salpointe Catholic
Since their 65-53 victory over No. 2 Millennium on Jan. 18, the Lancers have been widely considered the top team in the state. However, this shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, Salpointe started the season with a 22-point victory over defending Open Division champion Xavier Prep.
The Lancers have been without four-star North Carolina commit Taliyah Henderson all season but haven’t missed a beat as Grand Canyon commit Sidney Anderson, alongside senior Hannah Williams, have dominated teams with a 1-2 punch that may be the best in the state.
Millennium
Behind North Carolina State bound Destiny “Kyshe” Lunan, the Tigers have made the transition to the 6A Conference and haven’t missed a beat after dominating 5A for most of the past decade.
The Tigers, outside of a close road loss at No. 6 Sunnyslope, rolled through the toughest region in the state with ease. They challenged themselves facing five top-10 teams -- the likely Copper Division champion Phoenix Country Day and the No. 1 team in the country, Ontario Christian (CA).
Pinnacle
After losing Mia Singstock to graduation and Heather Stedman to transfer, the expectation to many was that the Pioneers would take a step back after falling short in the Open Division semifinals last year. Player of the year finalist Norah Moo, alongside transfer Nevaeh Limbacher, has stepped up and have been the best front-court in the state.
The Pioneers suffered an early season loss to Millennium and split their region matchups with O’Connor on their way to another region title. They were tested with eight games versus Open Division opponents.
Mesquite
After falling short in the 4A championship game last season, the question around Mesquite entering this season wasn’t whether or not the Wildcats would be back, but whether or not they’d be the favorite in the 4A Conference.
The Wildcats responded to last season's runner up finish by not just being the best team in the 4A, but possibly the state. Mesquite defeated No. 3 Gilbert in its first game of the year and followed that up with a victory over No. 1 Salpointe just a couple weeks later. The Wildcats defeated six Open Division opponents, have won seven games by 90 or more points, and the senior trio of Lucy Fisher, Navae Guidry and Kahlia Gonzales have been the leaders in a defense that is averaging 23.5 steals per game.
The Contenders
Gilbert
The Tigers, under head coach Savannah Bix who came over from Poston Butte, have been the definition of consistent all season long.
Gilbert lost star freshman Caia Campbell to a prep school after last season and lost Meisha Caserio to graduation. Losing two key pieces like that is enough to knock a team back. But the Tigers have only gotten better behind Player of the Year candidate Aspen McClees and point guard Isabella Ivy. The duo has led the Tigers to a 20-6 record that includes double digit victories over No. 9 Valley Vista, No. 23 Sunrise Mountain and No. 15 Williams Field, among other key wins.
Sunnyslope
If there’s one thing you need to know about Sunnyslope entering the postseason, it’s this: No team in Arizona and in this bracket can shoot the ball quite like the Vikings can.
The best 3-point shooting lineup in the state torched teams this season, attempting over 800 and averaging 31 attempts per game. Their ability to space the floor created matchup problems for many teams this season.
The Vikings knocked off both No. 2 Millennium and No. 7 Xavier, and suffered close losses to No. 1 Salpointe and No. 10 O’Connor. If Kylie Rarrick or Amelia Mickelson are knocking down their deep shots, the Vikings can shoot themselves to a title.
Xavier Prep
After graduating multiple Division I players from a championship team, it’s easy to expect a team to take a step back the next season. And Xavier did just that starting off 10-5 and struggling against great teams. But since Christmas, the Gators have hit their stride.
Led by the top prospect in Arizona, Noelle “Irene” Guiamatsia, along with Sariah McNabb, Xavier found its groove by finishing the season 7-3 in the final 10 games. The Gators defeated No. 6 Sunnyslope, No. 9 Valley Vista, No. 14 Desert Vista twice and No. 19 Perry during that stretch. With a strong defensive system and an anchor inside, the Gators hope to suffocate opposing teams and force teams to play uncomfortable basketball.
O’Connor
Entering the season, no roster appeared to be deeper than the Eagles lineup. And that hasn’t changed.
O’Connor, as the defending 6A champion, has been battle tested this year with nine games against Open Division opponents and a matchup at Tournament of Champions against the top team in Tennessee.
What makes the Eagles dangerous is how they utilize their size and length as one of the best defensive teams in the state with the ability to switch 1-5 and guard almost anyone in the state.
Audrey Bhesania, Ava Schooler, Savannah Helms and Risi Lancaster lead the way on the perimeter, knocking down the three ball and generating steals.
The Dark Horses
Kellis
After losing star big Nevaeh Limbacher to Pinnacle in the offseason, many wondered if the Kellis Cougars could take the next step and become the best team in what was considered a wide open 5A Conference without a key piece.
The Cougars responded by winning their bracket at Section 7 following the transfer, and continuing their success into the regular season going undefeated against teams from Arizona.
The Cougars haven’t lost a game since December and behind Shanielle Mallory, Luz Marian Santos Mas and Jeorgia Parks-Rodriquez, Kellis is looking to establish itself as the unquestioned best team in 5A this year with a deep run in the bracket.
Valley Vista
After a slow start to the season, Valley Vista, just as it has done in recent years, has found a way to turn it up as the season has gone on and has become a force since its loss to Millennium on Jan. 24.
As has become a tradition for the program, the Monsoon tested themselves with a brutal non-region schedule that featured nine games against Open Division teams, as well as a matchup against the No. 2 team in the country, Archbishop Mitty.
Kinsey Murray, who missed most of the 2023-24 season, has returned with an edge and has led the way offensively, playing as a point-wing opening up the floor for Tysyn Johnson and Jada Wilson. When the offense is on for Valley, the Monsoon can beat anyone.
Desert Vista
After being the team to beat the last two seasons, the Thunder enter the postseason as a hunter and not the hunted. Desert Vista has lost a lot of talent to both graduation and transfer, but still has found a way to beat top competition while learning from some early season hiccups.
A big reason for that has been the emergence of freshman guard Cherri Hatter, who has taken the state by storm.
She’s helped lead the Thunder to victories over Open Division opponents Mesa, Sunnyslope, Perry and Hamilton.
Hamilton
Prior to the season, the Huskies lost their top prospect Callie Hinder to a prep school and her loss was felt early in the season, as Hamilton needed to find its identity.
The Huskies found it once Perry transfer Sage Henry became eligible. Behind Henry and freshman Destinee Benway, the Huskies have picked up two key victories over Gilbert and Perry and have been challenged with one of the toughest schedules in the state
The Sleepers
Canyon View
After their loss to Sunrise Mountain on Jan. 7, the Jaguars have found a new identity. Their dominant defense has been key for a team that has won 19 games on the year, 18 of which have been by double digits including six wins by 50 or more.
Perry
Perry, for most of the year, has been without its top two returning players for a big chunk of the season. But the Pumas have found ways to defeat good teams such as Hamilton, who they knocked off on Feb. 7. When their offense is clicking they can score with ease.
Sunrise Mountain
The Mustangs have been to back-to-back 5A championship games and have found multiple ways to win in February/March throughout the past few seasons. Led by senior Savanna Dotray and junior Addison Wiemann, head coach Jen Tolle’s group has beaten top teams in the state through their time in Peoria and can defeat anyone when they step on the court.
Predictions (Winners in Bold)
Round One
No. 1 Salpointe vs No. 32 Cactus Shadows
No. 16 Pueblo vs No. 17 Sunnyside
No. 8 Kellis vs No. 25 Flagstaff
No. 9 Valley Vista vs No. 24 Notre Dame Prep
No. 5 Pinnacle vs No. 28 Horizon
No. 12 Catalina Foothills vs No. 21 Mica Mountain
No. 4 Mesquite vs No. 29 Flowing Wells
No. 13 Canyon View vs No. 20 Estrella Foothills
No. 3 Gilbert vs No. 30 Prescott
No. 14 Desert Vista vs No. 19 Perry
No. 6 Sunnyslope vs No. 27 Paradise Honors
No. 11 Hamilton vs No. 22 Mesa
No. 7 Xavier Prep vs No. 28 Eastmark
No. 10 O’Connor vs No. 23 Sunrise Mountain
No. 2 Millennium vs No. 31 Douglas
No. 15 Williams Field vs No. 18 Campo Verde
Sweet 16
No. 1 Salpointe vs No. 17 Sunnyside
No. 8 Kellis vs No. 9 Valley Vista
No. 4 Mesquite vs No. 13 Canyon View
No. 5 Pinnacle vs No. 12 Catalina Foothills
No. 3 Gilbert vs No. 14 Desert Vista
No. 6 Sunnyslope vs No. 11 Hamilton
No. 7 Xavier Prep vs No. 10 O’Connor
No. 2 Millennium vs No. 18 Campo Verde
Elite 8
No. 1 Salpointe vs No. 8 Kellis
No. 4 Mesquite vs No. 5 Pinnacle
No. 3 Gilbert vs No. 6 Sunnyslope
No. 2 Millennium vs No. 10 O’Connor
Final 4
No. 1 Salpointe vs No. 5 Pinnacle
No. 6 Sunnyslope vs No. 10 O’Connor
Championship Game
No. 5 Pinnacle vs No. 10 O’Connor
At the beginning of the season, I chose O’Connor and I’m sticking with that pick now. This path lines up very favorably for the Eagles if they play up to their potential. As I mentioned above, this is a wide open tournament this season, as no team has been truly dominant.
For me, the edge that lines up with the Eagles is their depth and the experience throughout the roster for a team that made a championship run last year.
What also stands out to me is Audrey Bhesania’s ability to elevate her game in the postseason, as she’s done time and time again.
Truly, there may be 10-plus teams that can win it all, but I’m sticking with the Eagles.
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