Rudy Aguado is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Hamilton High School for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX - An amazing run for the No. 9-seeded Hamilton Huskies came up short as they absorbed a 48-38 defeat to the No. 3-seeded Perry Pumas in the 6A Boys State Championship Game at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Colisuem Wednesday night.

It was the Huskies and Pumas third meeting this season, with Perry having previously defeated its East Valley rival both times by scores of 53-36 and 41-39.

Huskies coach Doug Harris says as much as the defeat hurts, he is proud to see how far his team has come this season. "I feel for our players," said Harris. "They've come a long way this year and they played so hard tonight and gave us everything they had but they just came up short." 

The Huskies faced a lot of adversity throughout their championship run as they were the underdogs entering the playoffs as the 9th seed. On their path to the state final, Hamilton tackled No. 8 Mesa, upset the defending state champion, No. 1 Sunnyslope, and overcame a 14-point deficit to eliminate Boulder Creek in overtime

Opening tipoff of Hamilton vs. Perry State Championship Game (Photo by Rudy Aguado/AZPreps365)

Hamilton was led by senior Quincy Adams on Wednesday night. Adams finished with 13 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks. His two free throws put the Huskies up 7-5 early on but it would be Hamilton's final lead of the game.

At the end of the first quarter, the Pumas held a 10-7 lead. 

Adams only played the first two minutes of the second quarter as he had 2 fouls. 

The Huskies trailed 22-11 with less than three minutes remaining in the second quarter, which would be their largest deficit of the night. A lay-up and a three by Foote cut the Huskies deficit as they trailed 22-16 at halftime. Foote led the Huskies at the half with six points. 

After spending the last six minutes of the first half on the bench, Adams erupted in the third quarter, scoring nine of his 13 points. 

Just as they had in their previous game versus Boulder Creek, the Huskies refused to give up. Hamilton proved resilient, fighting back to within two points courtesy of Adams' nine third-quarter points. But a couple of free throws and a three-pointer from Ben Egbo made it a 33-26 Pumas lead at the end of the third quarter. 

With under four minutes remaining in the game, Adams found Denning for a lay-up to trim the Huskies' decifit to 5 points. Although the Huskies fought their way to stay alive in this game, it was not enough as the Pumas took the 48-38 victory to take home the title. 

Harris said that regardless of the outcome, this season was about growth and improvement each game. 

"We had a lot of dynamics going on this season," said Harris. "These young men learned how to face adversity, whatever comes in their way and whenever it comes to their life, basketball is a direct correlation. You know how to get better, how to grow, and how to figure things out."

The Huskies are hoping to get redemption next season and they will have a completely different team since will have three returning players. 

"We got to get back to work," Harris said. "To the guys who are returning we have to get back to work and hopefully get back here again"