After an incredible past season where the team went 31-1 and was crowned state champion, the Perry Pumas varsity basketball team is looking to replicate that this year.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Pumas pulled out double-digit victories in 27 of their 31 wins on the season, proving how overwhelmingly dominant they are.
High School Superstardom
The team is led by five-star junior recruit Kao Peat, who is ranked as the No. 4 overall player in the entire country from the class of 2025, according to 247Sports.
Peat was named the 2023 Gatorade Arizona Player of the Year.
‘25 Koa Peat wasted no time making his presence felt in this morning’s session, showing glimpses of why he’s so highly-regarded.
Representatives from all 30 NBA teams in attendance this week in AZ. #TheFormula pic.twitter.com/yN5GvWPFO3
— Pro Insight (@_proinsight) August 17, 2023
Who’s Behind It All
Perry head coach Sam Duane is entering his eighth season with the team and has brought in six state titles during that span, as they are coming off back-to-back titles.
Duane led the team to be ranked No. 12 in the entire nation, according to MaxPreps.
Perry's Sam Duane Jr., named Arizona Republic HS boys basketball Coach of the Year https://t.co/dPNngrIj74
— azcentral sports (@azcsports) March 26, 2023
Their Outlook On The Year
Despite having immense pressure put on them after a near-perfect year, the players know not to get their heads too big and to stay focused on the task at hand.
“We don’t really focus on any of that outside noise, we just focus on what we have to do as a team to be ready to get back to that arena,” junior forward D’Andre Harrison said.
Thank you section 7 for the great experience. Glad my team was able to be apart of it .💪🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/zc1rwkpEpU
— D’Andre (@dandreharrison) July 3, 2023
The teams’ goal is crystal clear, they want to repeat as Open Division champions.
“My goals for this season are to be the best I can be for my team, give them everything I got every day in practice and games, and bring home another state championship,” Harrison said.
The Pumas have started the new season with four straight victories and have outscored opponents 287-161 during that span.
Despite this hot start, they have a long road ahead of them in order to repeat. For now, the Perry Pumas are undoubtedly the team to beat in the state.
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Saleh Awwad is a writer/reporter covering Phoenix High School Sports and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @SalehAwwad_
