EDITOR'S NOTE: To view the full state program, click here. To view the state playoff bracket and results, click here.

Having won two of the last three 2A state championships, Pima is looking to bounce back after falling just short of a third straight title in a 54-43 loss to Phoenix Country Day a season ago.

Using the phrase “All In” this season as their team motto, the No. 3-seeded Roughriders (21-3, 12-0 2A East) are certainly that and then some.

Ady Hoopes, Sadie Richardson and Lea Llamas are each averaging a tick over 10 points per game this season for Pima, which is currently riding an eight-game winning streak heading into the state playoffs this week.

“I think we are successful because of our leadership and how well we play defense,” Pima head coach Roy Corona said. “My team works really hard and they want to keep this program at the highest level. We always say that we are family. And our saying this year is, “All In.”

DEFENDING CHAMPS

Pima will need to contend with the two-headed monster from No. 1-seeded Phoenix Country Day (22-3, 5-0 2A Metro), which feature Aila Kaibara and Olivia Owens.

Both are averaging 20 points per game. Both are similar in other ways, including averaging just under five steals per game between the two of them, and around four assists per game each.

Owens grabs 9.9 rebounds per game as well.

And of course, both are only juniors.

The Eagles haven’t lost a game since before Christmas, going into the 2A tournament having won 14 straight.

ON THE HORIZON

Horizon Honors (21-6, 10-0 2A South) finds themselves led by a pair of standout sophomores in Audriana Anglada (10.2 ppg) and Josie Barden (8.9 ppg).

The No. 7-seeded Eagles made the Elite 8 last season, losing to Sedona 57-43.

First-year head coach Isaiah Ledford said the team has bought in to his philosophy and vision for the program.

“I have also tried to bring a culture of fun to the team and I believe the girls are having the time of their lives during the games,” Ledford said, adding later, “I have had the opportunity to take over a tremendous program.”

MOVING FORWARD

The No. 2-seeded Vandals had all summer and then some to think about the 63-51 loss to Valley (Sanders) in the first round of the 2A state playoffs a season ago.

And now that Miami (21-5, 9-1 2A Valley) is a region champ, and Top 8 seed in the 2A field this February, could they hoist a championship trophy this year?

That’s what head coach Crystal Pietila hopes to find out.

“Everyone has an important role in our team’s success. Each of our five starters could start on any team in the state of Arizona,” said Pietila, who spent 13 years leading the San Carlos program and racked up 280 career wins.

The last state title for Miami came in 1979.

The Vandals have four players averaging double-figures scoring, with Tamia Pietila at 20.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 6.8 steals per game as a freshman.

BE BRAVE

San Carlos (24-3, 10-1 2A Valley) heads back to the 2A playoffs after making the Final Four a season ago, only to lose to Pima, 48-42.

The No. 4-seeded Braves fell shy of a 2A Valley region title via 2A conference ranking, having split the season series with champion Miami.

Ellysia Cutter, a junior, leads the Braves in scoring at 20.3 points per game.

ELKS UP

Round Valley (19-11, 11-4 2A North) needed to win a play-in round game Feb. 8 over Kingman Academy to advance and wound up getting a forfeit, but that doesn’t mean the Elks aren’t a dangerous opponent for any first-round team.

Head coach Shane Slade said the Elks have been successful this season because of their “competitive nature.”

“This team has been successful this season because of their will to win,” Slade said. “They are relentless on defense and share the ball well on offense.”

Led by a pair of standout freshman, Kelci Walker (9.8 ppg) and Harli Haws (10.7 ppg, 10.2 rpg), the sky is the limit for this club.

“These two individuals have not backed down from a challenge. Rather, they have embraced the challenge and not only exceeded on our team, but in our region,” Slade said.

Round Valley lost to Horizon Honors, 48-28, in the first round of the 2A state playoffs a season ago.

WE ARE SPARTA

Scottsdale Prep (17-11, 5-2 2A Metro) also needed a state play-in game to advance, defeating Gilbert Classical 47-25 on Feb. 8.

Teray Allen-Lisbon coached many of his younger players on the local middle school team that won back-to-back league titles, so that continuity has shown in 2023-24.

“Now that most of those girls are freshman and sophomores, it makes it easier for them to understand what I am looking for and why,” Allen-Lisbon said. “Matching them with some of our upperclassman has made a match made in heaven.”

The Spartans are led by freshman Ellina Bilstrom (9.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and senior Sarah Hurley (9 ppg, 5.4 rpg) on the court.

“Elina is a freshman and easily is one of our leading scorers. Her game has expanded so much so quickly,” Allen-Lisbon said.

ACCELERATING THE FUTURE

Just missing the cutoff for a Top 8 seed, Mohave Accelerated (21-5, 7-3 2A West) won a play-in game over Many Farms, 49-48, to advance.

The Patriots are led by Bronte Gee (12.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg) this season, while Tanner Banks (10.6 ppg) and Megan Jones (10.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg) are a force to be reckoned with on the court.

Haley Leslie may not have stats that pop off the scoresheet, but coach Neil Sherrill thinks the world of her.

“Haley is the rod that holds the girls together. She never gets too excited or too lackadaisical. She always has an even temperament,” Sherrill said.

OTHER TEAM NOTES

St. Johns claimed the 2A North region tournament title and are a No. 6 seed in the playoffs this season, with Kayme Smith averaging 10.4 points per game. … Arizona Lutheran went undefeated in 2A West region play at 10-0. … Glendale Prep lost only three games all season, and are currently on a seven-game winning streak.

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.