Sunnyslope and Millennium Favored to Reach Open Division Final

No. 1 Sunnyslope and No. 2 Millennium are clear favorites, but several teams could challenge them in the Arizona high school boys basketball playoffs.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The 32-team Open Division Arizona high school boys basketball tournament begins on February 18, with No. 1 Sunnyslope and No. 2 Millennium widely expected to reach the final. However, teams like No. 4 Chandler Basha, No. 5 Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor, No. 21 Phoenix Central, and No. 3 Phoenix St. Mary's could pull off upsets and make deep runs in the tournament.

Why it matters

The Open Division tournament features the top teams from the 4A, 5A and 6A conferences, making it the most competitive high school basketball event in Arizona. Sunnyslope and Millennium have been the class of the state in recent years, but this year's tournament could see some surprising results as several talented teams look to knock off the favorites.

The details

Sunnyslope is led by a talented trio of guards in Rider Portela, Delton Prescott, and big man Darius Wabbington. Millennium has been playing like a state championship team since mid-January. Phoenix St. Mary's, a 4A school, could make a run to the semifinals with 7-foot senior center Cameron Williams and a capable backcourt. Other teams like Chandler Basha, Phoenix Central, and Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor have the talent to pull off upsets.

  • The 32-team Open Division tournament begins on February 18.
  • The conference tournaments for teams that lose in the first two rounds of the Open Division start next week.

The players

Sunnyslope

The No. 1 seed in the Open Division, led by guards Rider Portela, Delton Prescott, and big man Darius Wabbington.

Millennium

The No. 2 seed, who have been playing like a state championship team since mid-January.

Phoenix St. Mary's

The No. 3 seed, a 4A school that could make a run to the semifinals with 7-foot senior center Cameron Williams and a capable backcourt.

Chandler Basha

The No. 4 seed, with a dangerous team when guards Kingston Montague and Mason Magee get rolling.

Phoenix Central

The No. 21 seed, with brothers John and Grant Mattingly as excellent shooters and Dominic Rojas as a 3-point threat.

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What they’re saying

“Upsets can happen, so who's got the best shots at derailing these two teams, both ranked in the MaxPreps top 10 nationally?”

— Richard Obert, Author (azcentral.com)

“With Kyi Kyi Miles, the sensational sophomore leading Mesa, so much is possible. He'll have to be playing at the top of his game and get great support from guard Daijon Grayson and 6-foot-8 Brig Bowden to have a chance.”

— Richard Obert, Author (azcentral.com)

What’s next

The Open Division tournament begins on February 18, with the semifinals scheduled for February 27 and the championship game on March 1.

The takeaway

The Open Division tournament is shaping up to be a highly competitive event, with Sunnyslope and Millennium the clear favorites but several other talented teams capable of pulling off upsets and making deep runs. The tournament will showcase some of the best high school basketball talent in Arizona.