Tucson High Falls Short in Biggest Game in 57 Years

Badgers' comeback falls just short against Gilbert Perry in 6A semifinal

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Tucson High School's boys basketball team made a thrilling late-game comeback, but ultimately fell 69-64 to Gilbert Perry in the 6A semifinal game. The game was the biggest for the Badgers since their 1969 state championship victory, and featured a packed gym and the attendance of several Arizona Wildcats players.

Why it matters

Tucson High's deep playoff run marks the first time a Southern Arizona team has made it this far in the highest classification since 1998-99. The game showcased the talent and potential of the Badgers program, which has struggled in recent years but is now emerging as a force to be reckoned with in Arizona high school basketball.

The details

Tucson High overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to cut Perry's lead to just two points with 27 seconds left, but a controversial foul call on a potential game-tying steal sealed the Badgers' fate. Perry's LJ Diamond and Viktor Babic combined for 38 points to lead the Pumas to victory.

  • Tucson High last won a state championship in 1969.
  • The Badgers' last state semifinal appearance was in 1969.

The players

Tucson High School

A high school in Tucson, Arizona with a storied basketball history, including eight state championships, the last of which came in 1969.

Gilbert Perry

A high school in Gilbert, Arizona that has won five straight state championships, including three in the Open Division, before this year.

Malaki Cunningham-Hiadzi

A forward for Tucson High School who led the team with 21 points in the loss.

Eric Langford

The head coach of Tucson High School, a former Badgers star player in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Patrick Flores

A senior guard for Tucson High School who scored 17 points, including a key 3-pointer late in the game to spark the Badgers' comeback.

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What they’re saying

“We're the big dogs (at 6A), so we made it. We're not done, of course, but it feels good to get out of the first round and put on for the city.”

— Eric Langford, Tucson High School Head Coach (AllSportsTucson.com)

“It didn't really kick in until last night; I was like, 'We're really doing something. We're really here.' The goal was to be at that Coliseum (Veterans Memorial Coliseum) on Saturday (for the 6A championship game), but God had different plans. It is what it is.”

— Malaki Cunningham-Hiadzi, Tucson High School Forward (AllSportsTucson.com)

“No one really believed we'd get this far. We did. We knew everyone was going to be doubting us and overlooking us, so we just kept putting in the work. That's where it got us.”

— Patrick Flores, Tucson High School Senior Guard (AllSportsTucson.com)

“Tucson is a great team; they're one of the best coached teams. They run good stuff. Their players are unselfish. They're fundamental. I mean, the way they switch up defenses .... So I'm proud of our guys to be able to win against that team.”

— Justin Collard, Gilbert Perry Head Coach (AllSportsTucson.com)

“This is probably the best atmosphere (he has seen at Tucson). Tonight was different. I knew where ticket sales were. To walk in today and hear that ticket sales were at 870, and to hear almost a half-hour later, they're almost at a thousand ... it's a different atmosphere.”

— Eric Langford, Tucson High School Head Coach (AllSportsTucson.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Tucson High's deep playoff run, despite their ultimate defeat, has reinvigorated the community's passion for high school basketball and shown the potential of the Badgers program to compete at the highest levels in Arizona. The game's atmosphere and the attendance of several Arizona Wildcats players underscored the significance of the moment for Tucson basketball.