2026 AIA Copper Bracket
Tickets: https://gofan.co/event/6054103
Live Stream Link: https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/aia/gam28bcfbed07

A trip to the Arizona “small ball” state championship game is on the line Friday as two AIA 2A programs square off in the Copper Conference semifinals, 5:00 PM at Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona.

San Tan Charter (23-3) advanced with a 68-52 win over Coolidge in the quarterfinals. Peyton Lubash led the way with 27 points and six three-pointers, while Kristo Jackson added 9 and Jase Benjamin chipped in 10.

The Roadrunners’ only losses this season came against Centennial, Notre Dame Prep (CT), and Coral Springs (FL). Over 26 games, San Tan is averaging 81.1 points per game while allowing just 46.0, a +35 scoring margin.

Lubash continues to pace the offense at 23.0 PPG, shooting 46% from three and 71% from the line, while Jackson (15.5 PPG) and Dylan Vargas (12.7 PPG on 67% shooting) have provided efficient secondary scoring throughout the season. As a team, the Roadrunners as a team shoot nearly 60% effective field goal percentage, including over 8 3s per game, while averaging 19.5 assists per game - a near 30% increase from the 2024-25 season.

On the other side of the ball, the Roadrunner defense has played at an elite level throughout the season, forcing 14.4 steals per game, while averaging 15.7 deflections per game. The Roadrunners held Pima to 37 points in the final game of the regular season, after Pima entered the game averaging 68.8 points per game. The Roadrunners followed that up in the first round of the playoffs holding Holbrook to 33 points (entered the game averaging 54.6), and held Coolidge (52) well under their average of 68.1 entering the game. The defense has been led by Tori Street, leading the team with 3.2 deflections and 2.9 steals per game. The return of Benjamin to the lineup also adds the 2-time defensive player of the year, in addition to the height and athleticism of Vargas and Jachin Reynolds in the front court.

Phoenix Country Day earned its semifinal spot by upsetting #4 Palo Verde 55-51, proving it can execute in tight, defensive battles. Like San Tan, the Eagles represent the 2A ranks — meaning one 2A program is guaranteed a spot in the Copper championship.

On the other side of the bracket, perennial powerhouse Valley Christian — the four-time defending state champion (three consecutive 3A titles followed by last year’s inaugural Copper championship) — faces Benjamin Franklin. Both of those schools compete in 3A.

The Copper Tournament serves as Arizona’s cross-division championship for smaller schools, bringing together the top 16 ranked teams across 1A, 2A, and 3A.