Photos: Tucson High comes up short to Perry 69-64 in the 6A state semis
The Badgers took the Pumas to the wire after falling behind in the third quarter but lose 69-64 in the state 6A semifinals, March 4, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Tucson's Jaylan Knight (11) drives into a crowded lane including Perry's Austin Turner (0) during the third quarter in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026. The Badgers came back to nearly erase a 14 point deficit but couldn’t close the door on the Pumas, falling 69-64.
Tucson's Malaki Cunningham-Hiadzi (22) bounces off of Perry's Austin Turner (0) trying to force his way to a score in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Jaylan Knight (11) and the Badgers head off the court after coming up just short to Perry, 69-64, in the 6A state semifinal in Tucson on March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Tavion Okougbo (2) looks for help as he tries to sling a pass under the defense of Perry’s Dane Montague (32) in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Jaylan Knight (11) meets Perry's Austin Turner (0) on his drive down the middle of the lane during the second quarter in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Tavion Okougbo (2) flashes a three sign to the standing room only crowd after nailing a long range shot in the first quarter against Perry in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Malaki Cunningham-Hiadzi (22) crashes the lane and picks up a foul coming over the back of Perry's JJ Howard (2) in their 6A state semifinal in Tucson on March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Malaki Cunningham-Hiadzi (22) gets bodied by Perry's Kolby Barnes (1) on a drive in third quarter in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Perry's JJ Howard (2) gets a handful of Tucson's Patrick Flores (1) fighting his way into the paint in their 6A state semifinal in Tucson on March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Nitai Buchler (14) gets a hand to the face on his dribble in the third quarter against Perry in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Malaki Cunningham-Hiadzi (22) elevates for the jumper under pressure late against Perry in their 6A state semifinal in Tucson on March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Tavion Okougbo (2) gets pinched between Perry's LJ Diamond (4), left, and JJ Howard (2) on a drive in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Patrick Flores (1) finds just enough space to fire up a three at the third quarter buzzer against Perry in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Nitai Buchler (14) gets stuffed by Perry's Vik Babic (3) trying for put-back in the fourth quarter in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Malaki Cunningham-Hiadzi (22) gets tangled with Perry's LJ Diamond (4) as the two try to run down a loose ball late in the fourth quarter in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Patrick Flores (1) stops a shot from Perry's Kolby Barnes (1) but gets called for a foul in their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Tucson's Malaki Cunningham-Hiadzi (22) picks up a foul trying to swipe the ball from Perry's Vik Babic (3) during the final seconds of the their 6A state semifinal, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Arizona basketball players Bryce James, left, Jackson Cook and Brayden Burries sit in the visitor’s stands with Perry alum Koa Peat for the Puma’s 6A state semifinal against Tucson High on March 4, 2026, in Tucson.
Tucson's head coach Eric Langford tries to keep the sold out crowd in the game with the Badgers trying to close the gap on Perry in the fourth quarter of their 6A state semifinal in Tucson on March 4, 2026.
Perry’s head coach Justin Collard has some questions on a call against the Pumas during the third quarter of their 6A state semifinal at Tucson High School, Tucson, Ariz., March 4, 2026.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
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