2009 - Year Six - Monument Valley bring both boys and girls teams to ASU

 The 2009 Tribune Varsity Xtra MLK Basketball Classic added another sponsor as this years event was "Powered by Amare Stoudemire". We appreciate the contributions by Amare and his Each One - Teach One Foundation. Although out of town on an East Coast road trip with the Phoenix Suns, his presence was felt through signage and videos on the big screen video board.

At ASU, Seton girls topped Monument Valley 56-46. Monument Valley would bounce back and go on to win the Class 3A State Championship game. Monument Valley boys then took on Class 3A defending state champion Estrella Foothills led by ASU bound Corey Hawkins. Estrella Foothills would dominate this game and continue on to win their second consecutive state championship.

Private school powers Scottsdale Christian and Northwest Christian would continue their rivalry with SCA prevailing 57-47 in a hard fought contest with terrific fan support.

In the final boys game of the night, several college coaches were in attendance (Herb Sendek- ASU, Tom Crean-Indiana, and Lon Kruger-UNLV and others) to see some of the top talent in the state. Daniel Bejarano (UofA) led Phoenix North to  a 58-51 victory over Gilbert Highland led by Matt Carlino (Indiana) and Nick Johnson. North would go on to win the 5AII state title while Highland would lose in the championship game.

In the final game of the night, Gilbert High School topped city rival Gilbert Mesquite 61-58 in overtime. Both teams would advance to the final four in the Girls 5AI state tournament.