TEMPE, AZ- Another step closer to the promised land, Arizona Basketball signee Nico Mannion will play in his second-straight state championship!
For those who care to know or to have followed, are noticing 2019 Arizona Basketball signee Nico Mannion is having yet another terrific season.
Through 29 games, Mannion is averaging just over 30 points per game (including his recent, 42-point performance on Thursday evening). And now after beating Perry High School in the the 6A State Semi-Finals, Mannion stands just one win away from his second-straight championship with Pinnacle High School.
Arizona Wildcats
At Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe, AZ on Thursday evening, Mannion did what he needed to do, he Beared Down at one of the most crucial times. The soon-to-be Wildcat guard from just up the road, looked as fiery, focused and hungry as ever.
On a ‘less-than-stellar’ shooting night, it was his craftiness that was displaying helping him and his team to advance.
The five-star guard seemingly put the team on his back that evening, finishing the night with 42 points, while converting on 18-22 free throw attempts. It was the gutsy performance his team needed the most.
Through the course of the playoffs, Mannion has been instrumental in his teams’ success. Just before the 42-point performance the other night, we all of course should note the 35-point game he had just days prior, as Pinnacle thumped Brophy in the lopsided victory.
Now for the third time this season, the Pioneers will play rival Chaparral High School in order to secure their second-straight state championship.
Known for his supreme play making ability, it’s hard to imagine any scenario where Nico is going to be slowed down on Tuesday night when they compete for state. Already, Pinnacle has had Chaparral’s number this year, as the Pioneers are currently 2-0 against the Firebirds.
The most recent win against Chaparral of course came on February 1, Senior night for Mannion. As you may recall, Mannion and Pinnacle won that game by a 91-88 final, in which Nico hit the game-winning three as time expired.
On Tuesday, when he takes to the court one final time in his high school career, I would expect big things from the future Wildcat. He already has amassed over 2,000 points in his high school career and will certainly look to finish his career with a bang!
Here are some highlights from Thursday’s state semi-final game!
At Zona Zealots, we’re proud of Nico and can’t wait to see him compete one last time! Hopefully we can see him go out on top! Bear Down, Nico and Bear Down, Arizona!