Seliga's reaction: Koa Peat, Perry cement legacy with another Open Division basketball title

By Jacob Seliga

Lead Writer

Photo gallery by Hypamark contributor JJ Digos

On Saturday evening, arguably the greatest high school basketball player in Arizona history took the ultimate bow, as Koa Peat and the Perry Pumas capped off arguably the greatest dynasty Arizona has ever seen to become the fourth big school to win four consecutive championships. 

Peat did it all during his four years as a member of the Pumas, helping take not just himself and his team, but the whole state to another level. 

Yet, he saved his most gusty performance for his last one as a member of the Pumas, as they beat Sunnyslope 63-44 in the Open Division basketball state championship Saturday night. 

From the start of the game, it was evident that Peat was in a class of his own. Even playing with a cast on his right hand, he came out the gate with 9 points, including a dunk and a 3-pointer from deep. 

“I know it's not all about offense, so I know I got to work hard on defense and help my men on the rebound, and that's what I love doing,” said Peat. 

But as had been the case when he missed the Pumas Elite Eight matchup against Ironwood, and all throughout his career, his supporting cast of fellow seniors NoNo Brown and DeAndre Harrison showcased why the Pumas reached the highest ranking nationally in program history with the trio at Perry.

“I started in my training, my team pushing me, trusting me, the first year I just always worked out, training with  my dad, with Paul, always in a gym. It prepared me for the games and the worked just paid off with their support it means a lot,” said Harrison.

As the Pumas stepped on the gas with a 13-2 scoring run before halftime, it was the defense of Brown on the opposing guards of Sunnyslope that shutdown an offense of the Vikings that shot over 50% from both the field and from deep in the first quarter.

The second half was the same experience for the Pumas as the first, where they ran the offense through Peat instead of a traditional guard, which forced the Vikings defense out of position and into mistakes.

Harrison began to take over the game as the Vikings defense focused multiple guys on Peat on every possession. He threw down a dunk and got to his spot inside with ease.

As the game entered its final frame, Perry, just as it has done every year under Sam Duane, buckled down and clamped the Sunnyslope offense.

The Pumas held the Vikings scoreless for the first 4:08 of the final quarter before Kade Snyder hit a deep 3 and scored a quick basket inside. But it was too little too late for Sunnyslope.

With his eighth championship, Perry head coach Sam Duane joined Gary Ernst for the most state championships in basketball at the big school (4A-6A) level, and third overall all-time regardless of classification.

Player of the game: Koa Peat, Senior, Perry

In the final game of his career, Koa Peat sent one last message to the state of Arizona that even when he may not be 100%, no one could come close to matching his greatness and ability to dominate both sides of the court. 

Peat finished with 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks, all while playing with a broken shooting hand.

Simply put, one may not know what the college level or the professional level may hold for Peat. But without a doubt, Peat is at least to me the greatest high school player in Arizona history and deserves his flowers as such.