PRESCOTT VALLEY — Bobby Rodriguez had 14 points, Eli Savoury scored eight of his 12 during a key second-quarter run and the North Valley Christian Academy boys basketball team beat Baboquivari 56-36 to claim a 1A state championship Saturday night.

It is the second state title in the last three years for the No. 1-seeded Lions (27-5, 9-0 1A Central), which outscored Baboquivari 18-6 in the second quarter to take a 33-18 halftime lead and they never looked back.

Cameron Rice scored 13 points for the Lions on two 3-pointers, including a late fourth-quarter dagger to seal the deal.

"It's the joy of the journey together. This is just the icing on the cake," North Valley Christian head coach Randy Walker said after the game about what the title means to his program.

"So all the work they put together, they do together, it's outstanding to see it pay off," Walked said while tipping his cap to Baboquivari.

"They have a great team, well coached," Walker said. "We got challenged, but its adversity and we try to build those life skills with the game of basketball."

Devin Antone scored 13 points to lead the Warriors (21-7, 6-1 1A Tucson Southeast), none of which came in the fourth quarter. 

The No. 3-seeded Baboquivari boys basketball team poses for a team photo with the 1A state runner-up trophy Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in Prescott Valley. (Brian M. Bergner Jr./AzPreps365)

No other player for Baboquivari scored in double figures.

"I couldn't be any more prouder of my boys right now. They fought all year. I don't think anyone expected us to be here," Baboquivari head coach Joseph Mease said. "They fought, they represented that name on their chest, which says Warriors. They represented their families and their nation, and I couldn't be more proud."

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.