It’s been nearly 30 years since the Miami girls basketball team has won a state championship and in this year’s 2A state bracket, they hope to change their fortune.

A season ago, Miami made it all the way to the title game, only to lose to then No. 1-seeded Phoenix Country Day, 60-30. It was the program’s first championship appearance since 1987, when they won the 3A title.

The Vandals (27-2, 8-0 2A East) earned a No. 4 seed in the Open Copper Division, beating Valley Christian 72-40 last week before losing to Page, 66-27. Now reassigned to their more-familiar 2A state bracket, since a team can lose in the first two rounds of the Open without being eliminated, Miami is the No. 1 overall seed.

But to claim a title, coach Crystal Pietila said her club will have to “limit turnovers” and move the ball around on offense, while focusing on taking high-quality shots.

“Off the court, it will take laser-sharp focus not to look to the left, or the right, but keep pushing forward in the efforts of achieving our ultimate goal,” Pietila said.

Sophomore Tamia Pietila, a 1,300-point scorer who leads the state with 23.1 points per game, and manages to grab 7.2 rebounds per game, while racking up 6.6 assists and 7.2 steals per game, leads the way for the Vandals. Others to watch for Miami include Demetria Dosela, Savannah Pietila, Leeyah Goss and Aeriana Brown.

“We play a fast-paced game. We like to pressure the ball and score off other team’s turnovers,” coach Pietila said, adding later that the program has achieved tremendous success coming from a school of just 278 students.

“We’ve been fortunate to play some of the best teams in the state. … That has helped us on our journey to capture the 2A state championship.”

The Vandals will host the winner of the Mohave Accelerated-Tombstone game Feb. 21, with a 7 p.m. tip off.

2A BOYS BRACKET

The Arizona Lutheran boys basketball team enters the 2A state playoffs as the No. 2 seed after making the Open Copper Division, only to lose in round one to Rancho Solano Prep., 51-35.

Coach Doug Meyer said his club will need to cut down on their turnovers and rebound better if they are to advance in the 2A state bracket, which gets underway Feb. 18.

“We have been a great defensive team,” Meyer said. “We need to be solid with the ball and make sure we get the ball in the hands of our playmakers.”

Those playmakers include Owen Beilke, a 6-foot-5 senior who averages 18 points, 10 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, and Cash Hill, a sophomore shooter who can get to the rim when necessary.

“We may focus on man-to-man defense and rebounding, but [we] do run and try to score in transition,” Meyer said.

At the No. 2 seed, Arizona Lutheran (20-8, 7-1 2A Valley), has a first-round bye in the 2A playoffs, and will see the Horizon Honors-Morenci winner. The Coyotes will be looking to add a fourth banner to the gym, having won state titles in 1999, 2014 and 2015.

No. 3-seeded North Valley Christian, on the other hand, will be looking to add their first 2A state banner to the rafters, having won two in 1A in 2021 and 2023.

Coach Randy Walker, who saw his club beat 3A conference foe Florence 72-54 (Top 5 3A) before losing to three-time 3A champ Valley Christian 82-48 in the Open Copper Division last week, believes if his club can focus on playing “consistent basketball” for four quarters, they can be tough to beat.

“We try not to focus too much on the outcome, but rather the process of being the best we can be as a team,” Walker said. “The most important game of the year is the next game and that is St. Johns.”

Senior Bobby Rodriguez (13.9 ppg, 4.2 assists per game) and sophomore Zathan Ruffin (14 ppg, 7.9 rpg) are ones to watch for Lions (20-6, 8-0 2A West).

“It is our first year in 2A and it seems like it is very competitive this year,” Walker said, adding later, “We try to play balanced basketball. Run when the opportunity is there but also be able to play disciplined basketball in the half court.”

The Lions tip off against St. Johns at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18.

BOYS 2A STATE SCHEDULE

First Round

Tuesday, Feb. 18

No. 9 Desert Christian at No. 8 Camp Verde, 7 p.m. (Winner at No. 1 Phoenix Country Day, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.)

No. 12 Phoenix Christian at No. 5 Pima, 7 p.m.

No. 13 Kingman Academy at No. 4 Rancho Solano Prep., 7 p.m.

No. 14 St. Johns at No. 3 North Valley Christian, 7 p.m.

No. 11 Veritas Prep. at No. 6 Fountain Hills, 7 p.m.

No. 10 Horizon Honors at No. 7 Morenci, 7 p.m. (Winner at No. 2 Arizona Lutheran, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.)

GIRLS 2A STATE SCHEDULE

First Round

Monday, Feb. 17

No. 9 Mohave Accelerated at No. 8 Tombstone, 7 p.m. (Winner at Miami, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.)

No. 12 Round Valley at No. 5 Glendale Prep., 7 p.m.

No. 13 Benson at No. 4 St. Johns, 7 p.m.

No. 14 Valley (Sanders) at No. 3 Fountain Hills, 7 p.m.

No. 11 Horizon Honors at No. 6 Pima, 7 p.m.

No. 10 Willcox at No. 7 Arizona Lutheran, 7 p.m. (Winner at No. 2 San Carlos, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.)

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.