EDITOR'S NOTE: For full results of the Copper Division games, click here.

CHANDLER — Having won three straight 3A championships, a new challenge is on the horizon for the Valley Christian boys basketball team.

The Copper Division.

In its inaugural season, the Copper Division consists of the top 16 teams in 3A, 2A and 1A conferences combined playing for a title. It offers an interesting look at finding out what team really is the best of the best when it comes to smaller schools in the state of Arizona.

Coach Greg Haagsma of Valley Christian, which earned a No. 1 seed in the Copper Division after finishing 22-3 overall while claiming a 3A Central region title by sporting an unblemished 10-0 record, said he would never “diminish winning any title” when asked about the potential new challenge for his club after dominating 3A the past three seasons.

“Being able to call yourself a champion at the end of the season is a great accomplishment that takes a lot of hard work, some luck in staying healthy, and having your team gel at the right time, and on any given night,” Haagsma said. “Each of those 3A titles was special. We are excited for the Copper Division as it brings in another group of very good teams to compete against.”

He gave a shout out to San Tan Charter, which is No. 6 in the Copper Division (No. 2 in 2A) as an example of a team that could compete at any small-school level.

“San Tan Charter is a truly great team that we may run into. I am not sure we can compete with them but are excited about all the challenges that lie ahead,” Haagsma said.

And depending on how things go for each of the 16 teams in the field, they could still end up in their respective conference state tournaments if they lose in the first two rounds of the Copper Division.

Haagsma said there’s a lot that goes with winning a title, and Valley Christian is no different.

Carson Grier (5) drives the lane during a Valley Christian game Dec. 1, 2024. The Trojans earned a No. 1 seed in the inaugural Copper Division state tournament set to begin Wednesday, Feb. 12. (Paul Campbell/MaxPreps)

“[We are] trying to get healthy first and just continuing to go day by day and improve as a team. We have details to continue to improve upon first that will help us to achieve goals that this team has set for itself,” Haagsma said, adding that his club has “great team chemistry.”

“[We have great] leadership, [and] versatility in that we can play position-less basketball, but we also have guys that can guard and play offense in the post as well,” Haagsma said.

Seniors Carson and Kyle Grier, along with junior Colby Jessup lead the way for the Trojans, which has won nine state championships in program history.

With Jessup’s 23.3 points per game leading the way, the “Big 3” average 56.5 points per game between themselves, a large chunk of the 77.1 per game the Trojans average.

Valley Christian opens with No. 16 Coolidge on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

Other games to watch Feb. 12 include:

No. 9 Florence at No. 8 North Valley Christian, 7 p.m.

No. 12 Page at No. 5 Yuma Catholic, 7 p.m.

No. 13 ALA-Ironwood at No. 4 Benjamin Franklin, 7 p.m.

No. 14 Palo Verde Magnet at No. 3 Phoenix Country Day, 7 p.m.

No. 11 Pima at No. 6 San Tan Charter, 7 p.m.

No. 10 Rancho Solano Prep. at No. 7 Arizona Lutheran, 7 p.m.

No. 15 Parker at No. 2 Gilbert Christian, 7 p.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.