Perry vs. Basha: Timeline of a basketball rivalry
February 2, 2025 by Ben Stapley, AZPreps365

A few weeks ago I was able to experience the phenomenon that has become of the Perry-Basha basketball rivalry. I couldn't believe what I saw once I was able to get inside the Basha gym. I couldn't believe they had to turn people away at the gate. The atmosphere was incredible. It was similar to what I've seen at the Gilbert Christian vs. Valley Christian games, same with Mountain View vs. Mesa and St. Mary's vs. Brophy.
This year, however, Perry vs. Basha is the marquee matchup, showcasing the most dazzling talent on a high school basketball court in front of the biggest crowds.
Naturally I had to go back again this past Friday. I decided to make a list of observations in a chronological order, including a bit of behind the scenes content. Hopefully it's worthwhile.
Double Header
11:07am-Perry athletic director Jennifer Burks informs me that over half the tickets have already been sold for the girls tip-off at 5:30.
5:30pm-The girls game is tipping off and the gym is already 75-80 percent full.
6:18-It's halftime, Basha is leading 34-26 and the gym is full...and very warm. Lines have formed outside. Later on, Perry senior Maci Hess will acknowledge they know the sold out gym has more to do with the boys game than theirs, but they don't care, as it's just as exciting and they love it.
The semi-annual Basha-Perry girls and boys doubleheader packed the gym for the girls game. Basha leads 44-37 nearing the 3rd quarter @perry_pumas @BashaGbb pic.twitter.com/Mr09oxvhLq
— Ben Stapley (@AZPreps365Ben) February 1, 2025
6:44-It seems like there is extra security in the gym at the door entrances. They seems a little more stressed than normal, as they're responsible for directing anyone gets in where they can or cannot sit. Given the fact there is absolutely nowhere to sit probably makes it all the more stressful.
6:45-I jokingly ask one security guard if she's getting paid overtime for this type of crowd. She does not laugh or really respond. Maybe she didn’t hear me.
7:08-Perry makes a late comeback and the first game goes into overtime tied at 56. The Perry fans are ecstatic.
7:16-Perry's momentum carries over as they put Basha away, 70-64, much to the delight of the home crowd.
7:18-When these teams met three weeks ago at Basha, the P.A. guy politely asked for anyone who only paid for the girls game to exit the gym to make room for those still in line. Absolutely nobody left. Perry administration decided it was best to just make tickets available for both games.
7:21-I go into the hallway behind the gym, hoping to talk with Perry players and/or coach Andrew Curtis. It's quiet in the hall compared to the gym, until I could hear the screams of joy and happiness from the Perry players. Last year Perry made it to the 6A title game at Veterans Memorial Coliseum before losing.
Over the summer the Pumas lost five key players to either transfer or injury. The win brought brought Perry back to .500 and 4-1 in their region, which is pretty impressive all things considered. They deservedly enjoyed the win, especially in front of that crowd.
Perry senior @MaciHess12 talks about the excitement of playing in front of the biggest crowd of the season in the Perry-Basha doubleheader. @PerryPumaWBB @perry_pumas pic.twitter.com/LJLqzknoV2
— Ben Stapley (@AZPreps365Ben) February 1, 2025
7:29-I notice Basha players emerging down the other side of the hallway. It is quiet and somber. A game like this in an environment like this brings the deepest of emotions on both ends of the spectrum.
7:42-The boys game is finally tipping of 42 minutes late. The crowd and atmosphere are absolutely electric. As Basha coach Mike Grothaus said after the first matchup a few weeks ago, "it doesn't get any better than this."
I feel like the fire marshall would disagree.
7:51-Perry's Koa Peat makes a thunderous slam dunk and Perry fans are delirious.
8:30-Perry leads 33-32 at halftime. Basha guard Mason Magee has already scored 16 points and he is feeling it. These teams played three times last year, with Perry winning two, including the Open semifinal. Can Basha pull off another regular season win?
Officially the hardest job
8:49-I don’t think anyone could pay me enough to officiate any sport, much less basketball. It’s a thankless job. Fans, parents and coaches are almost programmed to yell and scream at them. In basketball it’s the proximity to the crowd and coaches that leaves referees most vulnerable. Nearly every basketball game at every level is a constant battle and negotiation between coaches and officials.
Friday night was a classic example, and also became quite entertaining. It’s a game within a game. Perry’s Sam Duane Jr knows this, as does Basha coach Mike Grothaus.
8:51-It's midway in the third quarter and Perry is beginning to take control of the game. At a certain point, Perry's All-American Koa Peat drives to the basket and gets fouled despite appearing to have traveled. Grothaus immediately goes to work on the referee, albeit with a hint of sarcasm: "How many steps does it take to call a travel?!" As the refs gets closer to Grothaus, he continues pleading his case. "He's already unstoppable without traveling!"
8:52-Coach Duane is aware and he knows what he's doing. When he gets his chance to talk the same referee, he reminds him that "(Peat) gets the crap beat out of him more than anyone."
8:53-My conclusion is there is a ton of mutual respect between these two referees and coaches.
8:55-Basha guard Mason Magee steals a pass and blazes down the court for a two-handed slam dunk, which is impressive at 6-1. I also make a conclusion that Magee would absolutely wreck people on a football field if he wanted to. He is lightning quick, strong and not afraid to mix things up in the paint despite his size disadvantage.
@masonmagee03 cuts Perry’s lead to 7 (58-51) with this steal and slam dunk midway thru the 4th quarter. pic.twitter.com/zHMTZlsRFY
— Ben Stapley (@AZPreps365Ben) February 1, 2025
8:59-Koa Peat is at the free throw line. Basha students are right behind the Basha bench.For some reason, they start chanting "over-rated." Within a few seconds, Grothaus can be heard saying "yeah he's not overrated." Peat made both free throws.
9:02-With Basha still hanging around in the last half of the fourth quarter, it's clear how poised and special this Perry team really is. There is never panic, just execution. 6-7 sophomore Bruce Branch III is a third or fourth option offensively. He's also a 4 star recruit with all kinds of division I offers. He puts the game away with eight of his 18 points coming down the stretch in the fourth quarter.
9:05: Final score: Perry 73 Basha 62. Magee is the leading scorer with 26 points.
D'Andre Harrison leads Perry with 21 points, Peat adds 17. Third conclusion: The University of Missouri Kansas City got an absolute steal in the 6-5Harrison, who committed before the season began.
Perry's D'Andre Harrison congratulates Basha's Mason Magee as Koa Peat (10) waits his turn. (Ben Stapley/AZPreps365)
9:08-Final conclusion:There are maybe 3 teams in Arizona that have a long shot at upsetting Perry in the playoffs. Basha is one of them.
Enjoying Stardom
9:13-Peat is an absolute celebrity around here. Immediately after fielding questions from annoying reporters like myself, a young boy is waiting and asks Peat to sign his basketball, which he does without hesitation.
9:18-I find Coach Duane in the back hallway. Before I start talking with him, an unidentified adult Perry fan is telling Coach Duane how much she enjoyed sitting right behind the bench. I'm assuming she was referring to spirited interactions with the officials.
9:20-I ask the same basic question to coach Duane as I asked Peat, specifically about the team mindset as they enter the final stretch of the season with the chance at a four-peat (which might make for a cool T-shirt for the Peat family). His response is almost identical to Peat's: "Basha's a really good team. We still have to take it one game at a time. We still have things to improve on."
For a team that's shooting for its fourth straight championship, Perry coaches and players appear to be extremely grounded.
9:29-As I'm finally leaving through the gym, I notice an adult woman ask Peat for a selfie and he gladly obliges...with a huge smile. And what's not to smile about? He and his teammates and coach are on the verge of history, and enjoying every minute. Next stop: The Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix for a game against Chandler.
Ben Stapley is a staff writer for AZPreps365. For story ideas contact him at bstapley@azpreps365.com or 480 295-9125.