ST. JOHNS — In front of a stellar crowd, the 2A North region crowned the boys and girls champions after a tournament filled with thrillers this past weekend.

These region tournaments are mostly a thing of the past, especially when the AIA introduced a power point ranking system years ago. But many schools in northern Arizona still cherish a chance to get together and play old rivals one more time before the state playoffs begin.

“It was a great atmosphere in St. Johns for championship Saturday,” Hopi Athletic Director Ricky Greer said. “It was definitely the best atmosphere we have had since the pandemic halted things in 2021.

BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP

Ryker Marble scored 24 points, Statton Wilson added 16 and Round Valley went on to beat Hopi in the 2A North Region Boys Basketball Tournament title game, 71-55, on Saturday.

Jarious Lomayestewa led Hopi (21-6, 10-2 2A North) with 22 points in the loss.

Round Valley (18-8, 12-1 2A North) and the Bruins await seeding into the 2A state playoffs. But first, the two must get past a play-in round, which is set for Friday, Feb. 9. Round Valley hosts Chandler Prep, while Hopi plays Arete Prep.

Both games have a 7 p.m. tipoff time.

State brackets are scheduled to be announced Saturday, Feb. 10, on AzPreps365.com.

GIRLS CHAMPIONSHIP

Kayme Smith scored 12 points, Elli Otto added 10 and St. Johns outscored Round Valley 35-12 in the first half to run away with the 2A North Region Girls Basketball Tournament championship on Saturday, 58-28.

Harli Haws scored seven of her 14 in the fourth quarter for Round Valley (19-11, 11-4 2A North), which is scheduled for a 2A state play-in game Thursday, Feb. 8, against Kingman Academy.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

St. Johns (26-5, 14-0 2A North), which made it to the Elite 8 a season ago in the 2A state playoffs and are a Top 8 seed this season, are primed for another run this month.

State brackets are scheduled to be announced Saturday, Feb. 10, on AzPreps365.com.

The St. Johns girls basketball team poses for a photo after winning the 2A North Region Girls Basketball Tournament on Feb. 3, 2024, in St. Johns. They beat Round Valley, 58-28. (Hopi Athletics/Courtesy)

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAMS

Boys: Dane Avila (St. Johns), Jarious Lomayestewa (Hopi), Ryker Marble (Round Valley), Deonta Riley (Hopi), Owen Tsosie (Pinon) and Brody Zigler (Round Valley).

Marble was voted “Most Outstanding Player.”

Girls: Raelene Harvey (Many Farms), Harli Haws (Round Valley), Kaelynn Nez (Valley), Elli Otto (St. Johns), Kayme Smith (St. Johns) and Kelci Walker (Round Valley).

Smith was named “Most Outstanding Player.”

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.