The boys basketball teams from Phoenix Paradise Valley and Phoenix Sunnyslope staged their share of emotional battles in 2012-13, competing in the same Division II section and reaching the Division II semifinals, where Paradise Valley won on the way to winning the state championship.

The teams now are competing in a summer tournament hosted by Laveen Cesar Chavez at four different Valley gyms – Cesar Chavez, Phoenix Central, Peoria Sunrise Mountain and Mesa Dobson.

Here is a look at where the two teams have been and where they might be going next season . . .

Paradise Valley

Is there life after winning the title?

Trojans coach Mark MacGowan thinks so, despite his team’s struggles in a loss to a quick, athletic Glendale Apollo team at Central on Thursday (Jan. 20).

“There’s a lot of learning going on,’’ MacGowan said.

The team lost four players to graduation – Paul Watson, Ryan Finley, Anthony Walker and Connor Euting. Watson now is at Fresno State and Finley is at Boise State on a football scholarship (quarterback).

“But we have a lot of kids back,’’ MacGowan said. “We have a group of talented kids who were on the varsity but didn’t get much playing time. Now we’re throwing them into the fire.’’

The Trojans are focusing on their defense.

“We think that is the most important thing,’’ MacGowan said. “We want to have the kids in the right position, have them communicate and have them box out (on rebounds).’’

The team currently is missing four players, including senior guard Jordan Brown, who also is a top-notch football prospect.

Expected to play key roles for PV this winter are junior guard Cedric Jacobs Jones and senior point guard Brandon Williams.

MacGowan enjoyed every moment of last year’s run to the title.

“I was with that group of players for four years, and they were very special to me,’’ he said.

“But the celebrating is over. We have a great group of kids. I am very happy how we are playing this summer. If we continue to do that, I think we have a chance to be pretty good.’’

Sunnyslope

The first order of business for coach Ray Portela is mapping out a strategy for the Vikings’ move to Division I.

There will be no more Paradise Valley on a regular basis. Sunnyslope instead will encounter fellow section schools such as Apollo, Glendale Ironwood, Glendale Deer Valley, Anthem Boulder Creek, Glendale Mountain Ridge, Surprise Willow Canyon and Surprise Valley Vista.

“Right now, we are battling some injuries and we are not where we need to be,’’ said Portela, whose team defeated Phoenix North Canyon in its first game of the day before taking on Apollo.

“You are looking for perfection in January and February, but you really don’t need it now.’’

Portela lost two key players to graduation – guard Isaiah Cota and inside man Cody Bergkamp.

There are some talented players returning, such as 6-foot-7 senior post Michael Humphrey, senior point guard Navareio Holmes and senior shooting guards David Miller and Ari Stern.

Sunnyslope has a key transfer – junior swingman Sammy Barnes-Thompkins, from Marana Mountain View. From his play against North Canyon, it appears Barnes-Thompkins will provide a physical presence inside and help take some of the rebounding load off Humphrey.

Holmes is the emotional leader, Portela said, and he has shown maturity since last season.

“He has done a great job. He is our spark plug,’’ Portela said. “He sets the tone. He sees the court like few guys can. He is very unselfish.’’

In addition to this tournament, Sunnyslope has played in its own league and one at Phoenix Greenway, and according to Portela will compete in a tournament at Gilbert Highland the weekend of June 28-29.

“You want to go against the better competition to see how good you are,’’ he said.