The Corona del Sol coronation is nearly complete -- again.
The Aztecs boys basketball team made its fourth straight state championship game with a 79-70 win over Chaparral in the Division I semifinals on Saturday at Grand Canyon Arena. Corona is one win away from matching history.
Only one program won four straight big-school state titles -- Phoenix Union from 1958 to 1961 -- and Monday night Corona gets its chance to join the defunct school in such a long run of excellence.
"It's made us stronger and made us mentally tough. I am so proud of our guys getting back to the four straight state champions," said Corona coach Sam Duane Jr., who would be the first coach to win four in a row. "I don't think anyone realizes how hard it is to do. You take everyone's best shot and it isn't easy. We can never have a letdown."
The Aztecs, who are led by freshman Marvin Bagley Jr. and sophomore Alex Barcello, will face Desert Vista in the 8 p.m. title game from Gila River Arena on FOX Sports Arizona Plus. The Thunder beat Mountain View 49-41 behind the trio of Caleb Simmons, Brandon Clarke and Tarik Cool.
"It's all about proving what kind of team we are and how strong our family is," Desert Vista coach Tony Darden said. "I think people are starting to realize what kind of team we are. We've known it all year, but hopefully now everyone sees it, too."
2 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona
Defending champion Seton Catholic will play for its fifth championship in six seasons. The Sentinels will face upset-minded Maricopa at 2 p.m. on FOX Sports Arizona.
"Our kids come in with more composure thanks to the past experience," said Seton coach Karen Self, whose team is anchored by sophomore twins LeeAnne and Jenn Wirth and freshman Sarah Barcello. "I want to give our seniors a great memory on their way out."
Maricopa, the tournaments No. 12 seed, earned its way to the title game with upset wins over No. 5 Tucson, No. 4 Flagstaff and No. 9 Ironwood Ridge. Do the Rams have one more upset in them?
"People haven't really seen what we can do," Maricopa coach Kati Burrows said. "I think now we're showing people what we can do.
"One more. We can't stop now."
4 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona Plus
Dobson earned its spot in the title game with a 59-52 victory over Liberty in the semifinals, while Millennium upset top seed and defending state champion Desert Vista 52-43 in the semifinals.
"The game was a big win but it didn't meet a goal for us," Millennium coach Courtland Rojeck said. "Beating Desert Vista in the semifinals was never a goal. We have one more ahead of us."
Said Dobson coach Tony Dumas: "They don't ever stop believing, and they have a great mental toughness about them. That's what got us to this point."
6 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona Plus
Gilbert Christian trotted onto the floor in its semifinals game sporting shirts that said "finish the journey." The Knights are one with from doing so.
They will face Arcadia at 6 p.m. on FOX Sports Arizona Plus.
"We didn't approach this game as a state championship," Gilbert Christian coach Kurt Keener said after his team's 87-74 win over defending champion Shadow Mountain. "We approached this as a game we needed to get to the state championship."
Monday
2 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona -- Division II Girls Championship game: Maricopa vs. Seton Catholic
4 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona Plus -- Division I Girls Championship game: Millennium vs. Dobson
6 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona Plus -- Division II Boys Championship game: Gilbert Christian vs. Arcadia
Monday
10 a.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division III Boys championship
Noon, FOX Sports Arizona: Division III Girls championship
9 p.m. FOX Sports Arizona: Division I Girls championship
11 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division II Boys championship
Tuesday
1:30 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division I Boys championship
Wednesday
9 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division III Boys championship
Thursday
1:30 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division III Girls championship
Tuesday, March 10
4:30 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division II Girls Championship
7 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division I Girls championship
Wednesday, March 11
2:30 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division II Boys championship
4:30 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division I Boys championship
Wednesday, March 18
8:30 p.m., FOX Sports Arizona: Division III Boys championship
