McDonald's All-American looks to guide Pioneers to back-to-back state crowns.
University of Arizona signee
Nico Mannion and
Pinnacle (Phoenix) look to capture back-to-back state championships tonight, after winning the program's first state title last season.
In the third meeting between the two schools this season, Pinnacle battles
Chaparral (Scottsdale) for the AIA 6A state championship at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona.
Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. (local time)
Pinnacle (26-3) won the previous two meetings this season, knocking off the Firebirds 86-70 on Jan. 15 and the Feb. 1 matchup 91-88.
The most recent game saw Mannion pump in a career-high 57 points, including the game-winning, 3-pointer as time expired to go along with 6 assists and 5 rebounds.
The 6-foot-2 senior is averaging 30.3 points, 6.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game on the year, and was recently named a finalist in the MaxPreps Player of the Year watch list.
Chaparral (22-7) counters with a balanced attack that sees four players averaging double figures, led by junior guard
Alem Huseinovic with 14 points per contest.
Alem Huseinovic, Chaparral
Photo by Kevin French
