The final horn sounded at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 7, 2026, and the scoreboard delivered a gut punch Sunnyslope fans won't soon forget: St. Mary’s 72, Sunnyslope 61. The Knights had done it - capturing their first-ever Open Division state title on Arizona's biggest stage. But don't let the final margin fool you. This one was a dogfight, a heavyweight bout between two future stars who now find themselves on very different journeys.
Darius Wabbington was an absolute force in defeat. The 6-foot-4 Sunnyslope guard poured in 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, refusing to let his team slip quietly into the night. Every time St. Mary’s threatened to pull away, Wabbington answered - attacking the rim with relentless aggression, stepping back for threes, and crashing the glass like a man possessed. His stat line was championship-caliber. Unfortunately for Sunnyslope, basketball is a team sport.
On the other side, Cam Williams was the steady hand guiding St. Mary’s to glory. The crafty forward posted 22 points and 8 assists, orchestrating the Knights’ offense with poise that belied his age. Williams didn't just score - he elevated everyone around him. He found cutters, hit shooters in rhythm, and delivered in clutch moments when the pressure was suffocating. His performance earned him MVP whispers that echoed through the Coliseum corridors long after the trophy ceremony.
📊 St. Mary's 72, Sunnyslope 61 - The 11-point margin flattered the Knights; Sunnyslope trailed by just three entering the fourth quarter before St. Mary's pulled away late.
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darius Wabbington | Sunnyslope | 28 | 11 | 3 |
| Cam Williams | St. Mary's | 22 | 6 | 8 |
Where Are They Now? Two Stars, Two Very Different Roads
Darius Wabbington: The GCU Freshman With Something to Prove
Wabbington didn't let the championship loss define him. In April 2026, he committed to Grand Canyon University, choosing to stay local and play for the Antelopes in the electric atmosphere of GCU Arena. As of August 18, 2026, he's enrolled and preparing for his freshman season - though he's not yet listed on the official fall roster, a formality that typically resolves as practices ramp up in the coming weeks.
For GCU fans, Wabbington is exactly what the program wants: a hungry, athletic, high-motor guard who plays with an edge. His 28-point explosion in the biggest high school game in Arizona proved he doesn't shrink from bright lights. The Lopes’ coaching staff is reportedly thrilled with his work ethic in summer workouts, and there's genuine buzz that he could earn meaningful minutes early in the 2026-27 season. The chip on his shoulder from that March loss? It hasn't gone anywhere.
Cam Williams: The AZ Compass Prep Reclassification Play
Cam Williams took a decidedly different route. Rather than graduating with his class, Williams reclassified to 2027 and transferred to AZ Compass Prep in Chandler - a national powerhouse known for producing elite college prospects and NBA talent. The move signals his ambition: he wants to develop against the best competition in the country, polish his game, and maximize his recruiting stock. Multiple scouting services, including ESPN and 247Sports, now rank him as a top-50 recruit in the class of 2027.
It's a calculated gamble. Reclassifying means another year of high school basketball, but it also means another year of national exposure, grassroots showcases, and the chance to enter college as a more complete player. For St. Mary’s fans, it's a bittersweet goodbye - but Williams’ legacy in Phoenix is secure. He delivered the school its first Open championship, and that's forever.
