Sunnyslope Edges Brophy Prep in Thriller, Advances to Final Four

Late-game heroics lift Sunnyslope to 53-49 victory over Brophy Prep in state semifinals

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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In a tightly contested matchup, the Sunnyslope Vikings (Phoenix, AZ) defeated the Brophy Prep Broncos (Phoenix, AZ) 53-49 to punch their ticket to the Final Four of the 2026 AIA Boys Basketball State Championships. A trio of clutch jumpers down the stretch proved to be the difference for Sunnyslope, who rallied late to overcome Brophy Prep's stifling defense.

Why it matters

This victory marks a significant milestone for the Sunnyslope program, as they continue their quest for a state championship. The loss is a tough blow for Brophy Prep, who had high hopes of making a deep playoff run this season.

The details

Sunnyslope trailed Brophy Prep for much of the game, but a trio of timely jumpers in the final minutes of the fourth quarter gave them the lead and ultimately the win. The Vikings' defense also stepped up in the clutch, forcing several key turnovers to stall Brophy's comeback efforts.

  • The game was played on March 1, 2026.
  • Sunnyslope hit the game-winning shots in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

The players

Sunnyslope Vikings

The Sunnyslope High School basketball team, located in Phoenix, Arizona, who defeated Brophy Prep to advance to the Final Four of the 2026 AIA Boys Basketball State Championships.

Brophy Prep Broncos

The Brophy College Preparatory basketball team, located in Phoenix, Arizona, who fell to Sunnyslope in the state semifinals.

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What’s next

Sunnyslope will face the winner of the other semifinal matchup in the 2026 AIA Boys Basketball State Championship Final Four on March 8th.

The takeaway

This thrilling victory showcases the resilience and clutch performance of the Sunnyslope Vikings, who overcame a tough Brophy Prep squad to keep their state championship dreams alive. The loss is a heartbreaker for Brophy, but they can take pride in the effort they put forth in this closely contested semifinal matchup.