The match-up that some anticipated for the Copper crown is set.

But Benjamin Franklin and Phoenix Country Day School made a serious effort to crash the party in Friday’s Copper semifinals at Corona del Sol. 

San Tan Charter trailed by 13 late in the first half. Valley Christian was down by 10 at the start of its Final Four game. 

But both of them regrouped to advance to the Feb. 28 Copper finale at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum. San Tan Charter clamped down defensively in the second half, shutting down PCDS to secure a 57-36 win.

Valley Christian rallied in the first half and built 13 point third quarter lead but then had to hold off Benjamin Franklin to claim a narrow 58-56 victory. San Tan Charter applied a suffocating, full-court vice grip to stifle its opponent throughout the second half, limiting PCDS to just two field goals in the final 16 minutes.

Jachin Reynolds, a 6-5 senior, was relentless, spearheading the defensive effort after halftime. San Tan Charter also started to double team senior guard JD Jones, who was beating defenders off the dribble on his way to the basket in the first half. 

Junior Peyton Lubash got a couple of steals while helping guard Jones, allowing Lubash to get some easy baskets. The junior finished with a game-high 19 points.

“The way you guys locked in together in the second half was special,” said San Tan Charter coach Kyli Crooms as he talked to his team in the locker room after the game. 

Valley Christian clinched its 12th championship appearance Friday night.  (Jose Garcia photo/AZPreps365)Ben Franklin led 13-3 and 21-15 when one of its catalysts, point forward Ethan Sang, picked up his second foul. 

With Sang on the bench with 6:15 remaining in the second quarter, Valley Christian took advantage, taking its first lead at 22-21. Valley Christian didn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the game and went ahead 44-31 in the third. 

But Benjamin Franklin refused to fold, as it chipped away at the lead. With Valley Christian leading 57-54, senior center Devin Morganfield was fouled with 8.6 left in the game. 

He missed his first free throw but converted the second one. It was pretty much over after that. 

Colby Jessup tallied 23 points for Valley Christian. 

“Ben Franklin was a great team,” Valley Christian coach Greg Haagsma said. “They did not quit when we gave them multiple opportunities to decide to fold. We have to do a better job of taking care of the ball when we do build a lead. We had good play out of our seniors tonight, which was most important.

“(San Tan Charter) is really good. They take the ball from you and hit the glass hard. So it’s going to be a tough task. But the championship is only one game. We have to do it one time." 

Next week, Valley Christian will attempt to become just the third boys program in the state to win five consecutive titles in a row. 

Standing in its way is a San Tan Charter program seeking its second title. 

No. 1 San Tan Charter (23-3) vs. No. 2 Valley Christian (20-7). 

The stage is set.