Arizona's AIA boys basketball Open Division state championship game: live updates, scores from Sunnyslope vs. St. Mary's originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
PHOENIX, Arizona, March 7 — It's not the matchup we were expecting.
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But it's still a good one.
We entered the final weekend of Arizona's AIA boys basketball season anticipating two close semifinal matchups with the two Top 25 favorites ultimately advancing to face each other for a third time this season. But only half of that scenario played out.
Sunnyslope entered its matchup with Basha ranked No. 18 in the latest edition of The Sporting News High School Boys Basketball Top 25 while Millennium logged in at No. 23 before facing St. Mary's. Sunnyslope and Millennium had already faced each other twice this season, splitting those two matchups and setting up the possibility of an enticing rubber match in the Open Division finale.
In the end, however, only Sunnyslope could hold up its end of the bargain, although both semifinal matchups went to the wire in almost identical outcomes. Sunnyslope evaded a Basha upset, 67-64, but then St. Mary's nipped Millennium in a 66-64 decision.
The game is set for a 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local) tip.
STREAM:Watch Arizona's AIA boys basketball Open Division state championship game on the NFHS Network
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END OF SECOND QUARTER — Sunnyslope 25, St. Mary's 24
It's been a great game, and the No. 1 seed Sunnyslope heads to the lockers with a one-point lead at the halfway mark.
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Just under the five-minute mark of the second quarter, and it's Sunnyslope now up, 21-16.
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They're under way in the second quarter!
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END OF FIRST QUARTER — St. Mary's 11, Sunnyslope 10
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St. Mary's into the lead with a big three! It's 11-8 with the underdogs in front.
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St. Mary's has rallied to tie it at 8-all approaching the two-minute mark of the first stanza.
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Timeout in Phoenix under the four-minute mark of the first quarter, and Sunnyslope leads, 8-3.
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Halfway through the first quarter, Sunnyslope leads, 6-3.
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And they're under way in Phoenix! Sunnyslope gets the scoring started, and it's 2-0 Vikings.
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St. Mary's vs. Sunnyslope is scheduled for a 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local) tip.
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How can I watch St. Mary's vs. Sunnyslope today?
- Date: 10 p.m. EST (7 p.m. PST local) Saturday, March 7
- WATCH ON NFHS NETWORK:Watch Arizona's AIA boys basketball Open Division state championship game on the NFHS Network