By Kyle Odegard
East Valley Tribune
It’s state playoff time. Here are the final boys basketball rankings as all four divisions begin their state tournaments this week.
1. Corona del Sol 25-4
2. Pinnacle 23-6
3. Cesar Chavez 27-2
4. Mesa 24-5
5. Desert Mountain 23-5
6. Hamilton 21-7
7. Gilbert 21-7
8. Chaparral 22-6
9. Millennium 23-5
10. Westview 21-7
Corona del Sol remains at No. 1 heading into the postseason as the Aztecs aim for a repeat. Pinnacle is the hottest team in the division with 13 straight wins and is definitely a viable title threat. Cesar Chavez beat Millennium for the Section I title to move back into the top 3, while Mesa drops a spot after a hard-fought loss to Pinnacle. Desert Mountain also lost to the Pioneers but sticks at No. 5, while Hamilton moves up by beating Gilbert in the Section II semifinals before a loss to Corona del Sol in the championship game. The Tigers stay at No. 7, while Chaparral drops after losing to Mountain View. Millennium returns to the rankings by beating Westview in double-overtime in the Section I semifinals, and the Knights stay in at No. 10. Brophy drops from the top 10.
1. Sunnyslope 26-3
2. Catalina Foothills 29-3
3. Sierra Linda 26-2
4. Shadow Mountain 24-6
5. Paradise Valley 22-7
6. Poston Butte 22-5
7. Salpointe 20-10
8. Nogales 22-6
9. Greenway 20-6
10. Saguaro 18-10
Sunnyslope navigated the tough Section III tournament and moves up to No. 1 by winning that title. Catalina Foothills won its section to move up to No. 2, while Sierra Linda’s long winning streak was snapped by Shadow Mountain as it drops to No. 3. The Matadors move up to No. 4, while Paradise Valley jumps to No. 5 with a competitive showing against Sunnyslope. Poston Butte lost its first-round game to Sahuaro and must regroup for state. Salpointe played well in its section to jump up three spots, while Nogales, Greenway and Saguaro each lost early and drop toward the bottom of the rankings.
1. Gilbert Christian 26-3
2. Window Rock 27-2
3. Estrella Foothills 21-7
4. Florence 27-6
5. Thatcher 22-5
The top-two stay put as both Gilbert Christian and Window Rock won their sectionals. Estrella Foothills beat No. 5 Scottsdale Christian in its section final to jump up to No. 3. Florence made its section title game before losing to Gilbert Christian and moves up to No. 4, while Thatcher holds on to the No. 5 spot. Chinle and Scottsdale Christian drop out.
1. Joy Christian 28-2
2. Desert Christian 26-6
3. Yuma Catholic 24-2
4. Arizona Lutheran 25-5
5. Ray 24-6
Joy Christian picked up a section title by beating Arizona Lutheran and moves up to No. 1. Desert Christian won its section to move up to No. 2, while Yuma Catholic drops a couple spots with a loss to Arizona Lutheran, which checks in at No. 4. Ray remains at No. 5 by making the section final before losing to Desert Christian.
