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PRESCOTT — The 3A boys and girls state playoff brackets are loaded with talented teams ready to take the next step in high school basketball lore.

Which team will come out on top in either bracket isn’t easily solved by regular season scores, but instead what happens with every possession, every 3-pointer, every post move and every defensive stop over the next 10 days.

That timeframe will prove who deserves to hoist the trophy on the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum’s hardwood come the end of the month.

GIRLS: NO. 1 SEEDED KNIGHTS

Gilbert Christian (22-3, 12-0 3A South Central) has won 13 straight contests and is currently the No. 1 seed in a 24-team 3A state playoff bracket.

The Knights get a first-round bye and are currently awaiting the winner of No. 17 Coolidge/No. 16 Snowflake, which takes place Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.

Mark Lovelady, head coach of Gilbert Christian, said a big part of what the Knights focus on as a program is their defense. In 25 games this season, they’ve allowed their opponents to score 28.5 points per game, one of the best marks in state.

“We have to be ready to play four tough games and handle the pressure of our opponents and their fans,” said Lovelady, who won his 450th career game last week in a 45-20 win over Valley Christian. “There are a lot of great teams in the state tournament again this year and we will be expecting teams to try and speed us up on offense with full court pressure, as well as try and push the pace on offensive transitions.”

The Knights return five seniors from last year’s Elite 8 squad, including All-State performer Lilli Juve, who averages 18.1 points, 4.5 assists and 3.8 steals per game.

Senior center Kali Nielsen is another standout, averaging 11.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

SHAMROCKS EYE TITLE RUN

Yuma Catholic (22-4, 12-0 3A West) is led by Reese Sellers, who averages 16.7 points, 4 assists and 3.8 steals per game this season.

The No. 3-seeded Shamrocks finished undefeated in region play, winning a 3A West title and are one of the top scoring teams in the state at 54.96 points per game.

Head coach Bobby McGalliard said, however, that defense is what they “hang our hat on.”

“Defense keys the offense without question. We shoot the ball well and have a strong inside game with our three bigs,” McGalliard said. “In order to advance in the tournament, we have to defend, rebound and take care of the ball.”

Yuma Catholic awaits the winner of the No. 19 Florence/No. 14 Page game, which is Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.

OTHER CLUBS TO WATCH

There are several teams from up north that will surely have a say in how things play out in the 3A girls bracket this month.

No. 2-seeded Monument Valley (20-6, 11-2 3A North), No. 5 Window Rock (22-6, 10-4 3A North), No. 8 Alchesay (20-10, 8-6 3A North) and No. 10 Chinle (17-10, 7-7 3A North) all play in a rather difficult region, beating each other up night after night in January down the stretch like SEC college football, or Big 10 college basketball.

There’s no telling what could happen.

For updates on the 3A state girls bracket, click here.

Scottsdale Christian’s Michael Fan dribbles up the court against Camp Verde on Jan. 3, 2023. The Eagles have received a No. 8 seed and await the Sabino/Gilbert Christian winner. (Brian M. Bergner Jr./AzPreps365)

BOYS: TROJAN HORSES

Valley Christian (26-2, 11-1 3A South Central) may not need a Trojan Horse to sneak up on its opponent and surprise them in the night, but the horses this club has offensively challenges every opponent they face to stand up and fight or get out of the way.

With three players averaging double-figure scoring, the defending 3A state champs are going to be tough to stop.

“We are a good offensive team and shoot the ball well,” Valley Christian head coach Greg Haagsma said. “But we need to play good defense and rebound [to be successful in this tournament].”

Led by junior Luke Shaw, the 6-foot-2 junior guard averages 26.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game.

Carson Grier, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, averages 13.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, while 6-foot-3 junior center Austin Wallace 12.3 points and 6 rebounds per game.

“The 3A tourney is wide open and deep this year. One of the deepest in recent memory,” Haagsma said.

The Trojans await the winner of No. 17 Chinle/No. 16 Thatcher, which play Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.

UNDEFEATED

It’s been six years since Fountain Hills hoisted a state championship trophy, having won the 3A title during the 2016-17 campaign over Winslow, 55-48.

Before that, the Falcons won three straight championships from 2004-2007. Now seeded No. 2 in the 3A bracket, not to mention undefeated, it appears Fountain Hills (25-0, 12-0 3A North) is back for another run at glory.

“Coming off a solid regular season our keys to success this postseason will be communicating, giving max effort and remaining teachable,” Fountain Hills head coach Jeffrey Bonner said. “As we finish up the year, we give ourself the best shot at being No. 1 when it’s all said and done.”

The 6-foot-2 guard Keaton Ort led the Falcons in scoring this season as a junior with 19.6 points per game, while Aiden Logan averages 11.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.

Fountain Hills awaits the Bourgade Catholic/Payson winner for their second round game Feb. 18 at 7 p.m.

YOUNG SHAMROCKS

Yuma Catholic (23-3, 11-1 3A West) may have won their region this year, but they did so with a fairly young and inexperienced club, something that bodes well for the future of this program.

“We start three sophomores and two juniors, so we need those guys to step up and show leadership,” Yuma Catholic head coach Luke Stuckey said.

Braden Moore, who leads the team in scoring with 15.1 points per game to go along with his 4.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals per game, is one of those sophomores.

Yuma Catholic awaits the winner of No. 20 Parker/No. 13 Northwest Christian. The No. 4-seeded Shamrocks are 3-0 against those two clubs this season, having beaten Parker twice, most recently a 57-47 victory on Jan. 27 against the Broncs.

“Either team will provide a tough challenge,” Stuckey said.

Yuma Catholic will host the game Feb. 17 at 7 p.m.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Several 3A clubs have a chance to go the distance and hoist the trophy come Feb. 25, including No. 3 Coolidge (28-1, 10-1 3A South Central), No. 5 Holbrook (24-4, 9-1 3A East), No. 6 Monument Valley (24-3, 14-0 3A North), No. 7 ALA-Ironwood (18-8, 8-4 3A South Central) and No. 8 Scottsdale Christian (17-8, 10-2 3A North Central).

For updates on the 3A state boys bracket, click here.

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