The Ironwood varsity basketball team (Glendale, AZ) will face Perry (Gilbert, AZ) in a neutral playoff game on Friday, February 28, at 7 PM. This matchup is part of the 2025 AIA Boys Basketball State Championships (Arizona) – Open State Championship tournament.
Ironwood vs Perry Game Info:
What: Arizona High School Basketball
Who: Ironwood (AZ) vs Perry (AZ)
When: Friday, February 28, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2025 AIA Boys Basketball State Championships (Arizona) – Open State Championship
Live stream: Watch here
Game preview: Ironwood vs Perry
As the 2024-25 high school basketball season progresses, two of Arizona’s top teams, Perry and Ironwood, have emerged as dominant forces. Perry sits atop the rankings both statewide and within its division, while Ironwood has secured a strong position in its section and division. This article delves into their performances, comparing their strengths, records, and key players.
Team Rankings and Records
Perry (24-2 Record)
- National Ranking: 7
- Arizona Ranking: 1
- Section & Division Ranking: 1
- Region Record: 8-0
- Home Record: 11-0
- Away Record: 8-1
- Neutral Site Record: 5-1
- Winning Percentage: 92.3%
- Region Winning Percentage: 100%
- Points Scored: 1,865
- Points Allowed: 1,235
Ironwood (21-6 Record)
- Arizona Ranking: 17
- Section & Division Ranking: 2
- Region Record: 9-1
- Home Record: 11-0
- Away Record: 7-1
- Neutral Site Record: 3-5
- Winning Percentage: 77.8%
- Region Winning Percentage: 90%
- Points Scored: 1,903
- Points Allowed: 1,508
Scoring Trends and Statistical Comparison
Both teams exhibit strong offensive capabilities, averaging over 70 points per game. However, Perry demonstrates a more balanced scoring distribution throughout all four quarters:
Quarterly Scoring Averages
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry | 15.3 | 22.6 | 14.6 | 18.1 | 71.7 |
| Ironwood | 15.5 | 16.8 | 18.0 | 21.0 | 70.5 |
Perry exhibits dominance in the second quarter, often establishing a substantial lead by halftime, whereas Ironwood tends to build momentum later in games, particularly in the fourth quarter.
Team Stat Comparison
| Statistic | Perry | Ironwood |
| Points Per Game | – | 70.0 |
| Rebounds Per Game | – | 29.5 |
| Assists Per Game | – | 17.7 |
| Steals Per Game | – | 8.0 |
| Blocks Per Game | – | 2.0 |
Key Players and Individual Performances
Both teams feature standout players who contribute significantly to their overall success.
Perry’s Leaders
- Points Per Game: Kory Head-Holbrook (#10) – 15.0
- Rebounds Per Game: Josh Dillard (#0) – 7.5
- Assists Per Game: I’yar Shadowvine (#1) – 6.7
- Steals Per Game: Kory Head-Holbrook (#10) – 1.9
- Blocks Per Game: Josh Dillard (#0) – 1.1
Ironwood’s player statistics are not listed, but the team maintains competitive averages, particularly in scoring and rebounding.
Head-to-Head and Common Opponents
Despite their impressive records, Perry and Ironwood have yet to face each other this season. However, both teams have played against Casteel, a common opponent, with both securing two victories:
| Date | Perry’s Result | Ironwood’s Result |
| 1/14/25 | Won 71-44 vs. Casteel | 11/22/24 – Won 70-61 vs. Casteel |
| 2/4/25 | Won 67-42 vs. Casteel | 2/19/25 – Won 52-49 vs. Casteel |
Record Breakdown
| Category | Perry | Ironwood |
| Overall Record | 24-2 | 21-6 |
| League Record | 8-0 | 9-1 |
| Non-League Record | 8-0 | 7-0 |
| Common Opponent Record | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| Home Record | 11-0 | 11-0 |
| Away Record | 8-1 | 7-1 |
| Neutral Record | 5-1 | 3-5 |
| Playoff Record | 2-0 | 2-0 |
| In-State Record | 21-0 | 17-1 |
| Out-of-State Record | 3-2 | 4-5 |
Conclusion
Both Perry and Ironwood have demonstrated impressive seasons with strong records, solid team statistics, and high-scoring performances. Perry holds an edge with a near-perfect winning percentage, a dominant in-state record, and superior second-quarter performance. Ironwood, on the other hand, has shown resilience with strong fourth-quarter play and a competitive scoring average.
As the season progresses, a potential matchup between these two powerhouse teams could be a thrilling showdown. Until then, both teams remain top contenders in Arizona high school basketball, with eyes set on championship success.
