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With the 2A Boys Basketball State Championships slated to begin Feb. 16, a plethora of teams are vying for a title and there’s surely to be some upsets along the way, especially after only two of the Top 5 seeds made it to the semifinals a season ago.

San Tan Charter (25-3, 11-0 2A Valley) has put the basketball world on notice with a 14-game winning streak and No. 1 seed heading into the 2A state playoffs this week.

“Our team has been on a mission all season and has been locked in on chasing a 2A title,” Roadrunners head coach Kyli Crooms told AzPreps365.com. “Our boys have remained humble and hungry all season to show that they aren’t just a top 2A team, but a top team in Arizona period.”

San Tan Charter earned the No. 1 seed in last year’s 2A playoff bracket, but were upset in the quarterfinals by No. 8-seeded Highland Prep, 65-58.

Standout freshman Peyton Lubash leads the way, averaging 21.1 points and 2.3 assists per game this season. He is ranked fourth overall in 2A scoring.

“Peyton has had multiple 30-point games as well as a 42-point outburst against Gilbert Christian this season,” Crooms said.

NOT-SO WILD WEST

Arizona Lutheran, with a 2A-leading 18 power point victories and 2A West title after going undefeated in region games, has plans of its own to hoist the 2A state championship trophy when it’s all said and done.

“Our success is due to many factors. Our kids obviously have talent, a number of players work tirelessly all year long on their skills and shooting. Many are two or three sport athletes who love the weight room and build their athleticism. We are very experienced,” Arizona Lutheran head coach Doug Meyer said.

The No. 2-seeded Coyotes (25-3, 12-0 2A West) are led in scoring by Stephan Iron Shell at 20.6 points per game (Top 5 scorer in 2A), while senior point guard Luis Guerrero averages 13.7 points and 5.7 assists per game this season.

“Luis makes us go. He is a terrific on-ball defender and creates chaos. He can score every way possible and delivers great passes to his teammates,” Meyer said.

Arizona Lutheran made the final four a season ago, only to lose to eventual state champ Pima, 53-41.

THE BIG 3

At No. 3, Rancho Solano Prep (21-5, 5-0 2A Metro) features a “Big 3” most high school basketball teams would be jealous of.

All seniors, Sagith Vargas (15.6 ppg), Jake Miller (16.5 ppg) and Aidan Mushahwar (12.7 ppg, 7.3 rbg) lead the way for a Mustangs club that made the Elite 8 a season ago before losing to Arizona Lutheran, 60-51.

“They’re talented players who are high character and great teammates, so it sets the tone for the whole team,” Rancho Solano coach Aaron Trigg said, who added the Mustangs are 77-2 against current 2A clubs since the 2017-18 season.

“Our only two losses are to San Tan Charter (2021) and Arizona Lutheran (2023),” Trigg said.

COUGAR PRIDE

No. 5 Phoenix Christian (22-3, 10-0 2A Central) may not have a “Big 3” of their own, instead choosing to “buy in and play for the guy next to them,” head coach Ben Stryczek said.

Bryce Anderson and Malakhai Moore-Neal are the two leading scorers for the Cougars, which earned a No. 4 seed a season ago and made it to the state semifinals before losing to No. 8 Highland Prep, 60-45.

MORE TEAM NOTES

Highland Prep: The Honey Badgers (15-10, 8-2 2A Central) finished No. 10 in the power point rankings at the conclusion of the regular season but have gone through some changes roster wise that most schools don’t usually have to deal with.

“Right now, we have a few guys being put right into the fire. We are a team learning who they are without two key players. Presley (Ibeh) won’t be back this season. Even if he was ready, I wasn’t sure I was going to have him play,” Highland Prep coach Trent Hill said. “He has a future at the next level and I want to make sure he is ready for that.”

Tarrell Green Jr. is the other player Highland Prep is missing heading into the playoffs.

Both players were All-State performers a season ago.

Heritage Academy: Finishing No. 9 in the power point poll to end the regular season, the Heroes (16-7, 9-3 2A West) have a group of seven seniors that have pushed this group to the next level.

“A majority of them have been in the program since their ninth-grade year and have helped orchestrate our turnaround,” Heritage Academy coach Jordan Grafsgaard said.

Senior point guard Cameron Irby and junior Danye Sypho are players to watch come playoff time. Irby is the program’s first 1,000-point career scorer, while Danye can play any position on the floor.

Horizon Honors: With Matt McEnaney leading the way for this group, averaging 15 points, eight rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game, it’s no wonder they’ve won 18 games and a 2A South region title.

“These kids are a special group. It isn’t our most talented group I’ve had in my seven years coaching here, but it is by far my most dedicated,” Horizon Honors head coach Christopher Henderson said.

OTHER TEAM NOTES

Leading Edge Academy features three players who average double figures scoring, including Malachi Graham-Morrow at 23.2 per game, tops in 2A basketball this season. … Pima returns as the 2A defending champs after beating Highland Prep 47-37 a season ago. … Morenci finished just behind Pima in the 2A East standings.

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.