EDITOR'S NOTE: For a full 3A state playoff bracket and results, click here.

It’s been 50 years since the boys basketball team from Florence hoisted a state championship trophy, but a No. 2 seed in the 3A state playoffs this February has Gopher basketball fans excited that could change in the coming weeks.

A Top 5 basketball squad all season, Florence (23-4, 7-3 3A Central) lost early in the Open Copper Division, 72-54 to North Valley Christian, but Valley Christian, Gilbert Christian and Yuma Catholic all advanced to the Final Four, potentially paving the way for a Gophers-Benjamin Franklin showdown in the 3A state championship.

Teams that advance through the first two rounds within the new Open Copper Division format do not return to their respective conference state tournaments.

After being reseeded, No. 1 Benjamin Franklin (lost 67-61 to ALA-Ironwood in Copper first round) and No. 2 Florence will get a first-round bye and their journey to a 3A championship will begin Feb. 22.

Florence coach David Silvas believes his club will have to be “physically and mentally sharp” if they are to achieve their goal of winning the program’s first title since 1975.

“[We need to] compete on every play, both offensively and defensively… [We play] hard nose defense. I like to have our defense be our offense,” Silvas said, adding that anyone within the 14-team field “has what it takes to win a championship.”

The Gophers certainly have the pedigree to win a title, especially after starting the season a perfect 18-0, not losing a game until Jan. 17 against Coolidge, 48-44, a loss they avenged at Coolidge’s home gym on Feb. 4, 57-48.

Players to watch on Florence include seniors Logan Stenson and Adrian Taufaasau, along with super sophomore Brody Ramirez.

Ramirez is tied for the team lead in scoring with 15 points per game, while averaging nearly two assists and two steals per game.

Stenson (15 ppg) and Taufaasau (13.5 ppg) are next up in the scoring department, but both are averaging double-doubles with 10.1 and 10.3 rebounds per game, respectively.

As for Benjamin Franklin (25-4, 10-3 3A Metro), which has won 10 of their last 12 games, coach Jonathan Magnus said his club will need to focus on the “defense that got us here” if they are to win a title.

“Our strength is how well we play together,” Magnus said. We are defense first team. Our halfcourt defense is great and it helps lead to fast-break offense.”

Team captain Talan Speir, a junior who averaged 12.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game this season, will lead the way, while brothers Landon and Bennett Christensen have been steady all season.

Landon, a senior, led the Chargers in scoring with 12.9 points per game and 5.4 rebounds per game this season, while his younger brother Bennett, a freshman, contributed across the board and played in all 29 games this winter.

CHINLE GIRLS

The Chinle girls basketball team earned a No. 1 overall seed in the Open Copper Division, but lost 48-39 to a really tough Tuba City club in second round action and have found themselves as the top seed in the 3A state playoffs.

It was only their second loss all season, the first coming against Campo Verde way back on Dec. 14, 45-40. The Wildcats (28-2, 11-0 3A North) had won 18 straight prior to the loss to Tuba City, a club they had beaten 53-42 just one week prior.

Searching for the program’s first championship, Chinle has made a title game on two different occasions, once in 1974, and more recently in 2022, a 66-64 overtime loss to Alchesay.

In an interview prior to the Open Copper Division tournament, Chinle coach Francine McCurtain said she wished her club could focus on the 3A tournament first, then the Copper Division, but they would see how things play out.

Now, she gets her wish.

“I say this because our kids grew up dreaming of playing for the 3A state title,” McCurtain said, adding that she is so proud of her players. “[They have] worked so hard. We have had a lot of fun and now as we are in the postseason, the season has flown by. I wish [all teams] the best, and let’s go!”

BOYS 3A STATE SCHEDULE

First Round

Tuesday, Feb. 18

No. 9 Snowflake at No. 8 Sabino, 7 p.m. (Winner at No. 1 Benjamin Franklin, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.)

No. 12 Alchesay at No. 5 Palo Verde Magnet, 7 p.m.

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

No. 14 Northwest Christian at No. 3 Page, 7 p.m.

No. 11 Pusch Ridge at No. 6 Parker, 7 p.m.

No. 10 Holbrook at No. 7 Coolidge, 7 p.m. (Winner at No. 2 Florence, Feb. 22, 6 p.m.)

GIRLS 3A STATE SCHEDULE

First Round

Monday, Feb. 17

No. 9 Yuma Catholic at No. 8 Coolidge, 7 p.m. (Winner at No. 1 Chinle, Feb. 21, 7 p.m.)

No. 12 Holbrook at No. 5 Payson, 7 p.m.

No. 13 Sabino at No. 4 Pusch Ridge, 7 p.m.

No. 14 Winslow at No. 3 Ganado, 7 p.m.

No. 11 Gilbert Christian at No. 6 Valley Christian, 7 p.m.

No. 10 ALA-West Foothills at No. 7 Monument Valley, 7 p.m. (Winner at No. 2 Snowflake, Feb. 21, 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.