There’s the old adage that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result. But in Pima’s case, having its defense do the same thing over and over again earned the team a basketball championship.

Coming up short on offense once again, the defense showed why it deserved to be state champions in a 40-29 win over North Valley Christian (23-6) in the 2A title contest. A stark contrast to NVC’s 60-53 victory in the first round of the Copper Division playoffs between these two.

“It’s funny because early on we were saying this could be the worst defensive team we’ve had in about 10 years,” said head coach Cliff Thompson. “We kept teaching and they kept plugging away. Something clicked halfway, two-thirds of the way through the year. We knew we were capable. But we didn’t know it was going to come together the way it did. It’s really satisfying. I would say this is one of the top three defenses we’ve ever had.”

And it was the perfect way for Thompson to head into retirement. Coaching the team for the better part of the last 26 seasons, Thompson leaves the school with a record of 475-173 and his second crown. The 475 victories are good for 17th all-time in state history.

“I really enjoy basketball. I enjoy coaching basketball. It just something I continued to do. I almost hung it up one time about 12 years ago and I’m really glad I didn’t,” Thompson said.

The Roughriders (28-6) only had 16 points at halftime, but it was good enough for a seven-point lead over a Lions squad that scored 66 in a semifinal victory two nights prior. Pima forced 11 turnovers in the first half, and both teams had some short-range shots bounce off the rim. Only a pair of players had two field goals by the break – Pima’s Stratton McCrae and Charles Richardson.

The third quarter saw more of the same until North Valley Christian’s Brayden Schmidt nailed a three-pointer with 4:38 left to bring his team within two at 17-15. But Pima flipped on its rarely used offense switch and scored the next 10 points, including seven in a row by senior Keegan Corona. Pima ended the frame up 30-20.

The Lions were able to hang around because the Roughriders got a little too aggressive on defense. They had three fouls in the whole first half, but eight alone in the third and six more in the fourth.

Time to celebrate! This is Pima's 12th state title, which is tied for third in Arizona history. (Seth Polansky photo/AZPreps365)

Corona finished with 16 points, 10 of them coming in the second half. It was his short floater while falling away and getting fouled that put his team up 37-28 with under two minutes left that sealed the outcome. He earned the game’s MVP.

“Storybook ending. You can’t ask for a better way than to win in your last game. It’s the best feeling I can possibly have,” added Corona.

North Valley Christian leaned on its starters as they accounted for all 29 points. Junior Zathan Ruffin collected a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. But Ruffin and his teammates shot under 20% for the game and couldn’t put together any sustained runs.