PHOENIX – The final buzzer inside Arizona’s Open Division championship game felt like the culmination of something special for the Sunnyslope Vikings basketball team, and the beginning of something even bigger.
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Sunnyslope guard Delton Prescott (3) calls out to his teammates against St. Mary’s during the Open Boys Championship game at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix on March 7, 2026. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sunnyslope Vikings become the best HS basketball team in Arizona:
Sunnyslope are you Open Division state champions.
Final:
Sunnyslope 60
St. Mary’s 51 pic.twitter.com/cNsXMLF7y0— BJ Media (@BJMedia1) March 8, 2026
Joining the parade of posts. Congratulations to @slopebasketball for capturing the AzHS Open Championship! Holding off a great effort from @wearesmhoops 60-51 pic.twitter.com/LiyIxyoAwT
— Kevin McCabe (@KevinMcCabe987) March 8, 2026
Sunnyslope High School defeated Saint Mary’s 60-51 on Saturday night to capture the program’s sixth state championship, adding another banner to a legacy that already included titles in 2002, 2009, 2017, 2018, and 2021. But this championship carried a deeper weight than most. The Vikings entered the season as the No. 1-ranked team in Arizona and No. 5 nationally according to MaxPreps. Those expectations can crush teams. Instead, Sunnyslope used them as fuel.
The Ultimate Fathers Day! @slopebasketball Capturing the AzHS hoops Open Championship, @RiderPortela winning the MVP! His pops Vikings HC Ray Portela doing it for his dad who passed away two years ago! Basketball is #Family pic.twitter.com/7C5kCPMzeY
— Kevin McCabe (@KevinMcCabe987) March 8, 2026
At the center of it all was head coach Ray Portela, whose program has become synonymous with disciplined, fast-paced basketball. His son, Rider Portela, delivered a defining performance in the championship game, earning MVP honors in a moment that resonated beyond the stat sheet. For the Portela family, the victory carried emotional significance. Ray Portela has often spoken about coaching in honor of his father, who passed away two years ago. Saturday night’s championship felt like a tribute as much as a triumph.
Sunnyslope guard Rider Portela (15) celebrates winning MVP during the Open Boys Championship game at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix on March 7, 2026. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Interview with Sunnyslope head coach Ray Portela after leading his team to a 60-51 win over the Open Division Championship game. pic.twitter.com/Ahbv0CYMzV
— BJ Media (@BJMedia1) March 8, 2026
Programs rise and fall in high school sports, but Sunnyslope’s ability to return to the top after two challenging seasons highlights the foundation built within the program of community support, relentless development, and a belief that the Vikings belong on the biggest stages.
Sunnyslope guard Rider Portela (15) grabs an inbound pass against St. Mary’s during the Open Boys Championship game at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix on March 7, 2026. © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Although that stage is about to get even bigger for the Vikings. Sunnyslope has been invited to The Throne tournament, a national bracket featuring eight elite high school teams competing to determine the best program in the country. For a team already ranked among the nation’s best, it represents an opportunity to prove Arizona basketball belongs in the national conversation. For Sunnyslope, the Open State Championship trophy and rings are earned. The story, however, isn’t finished yet.
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
