Red Mountain (14-5) and Mesa (15-4) are both perfect in East Valley Region play. Something's gotta give Tuesday night when they face off at Red Mountain at 7pm.

But it's a contest that may carry more weight for the Mountain Lions.

Mesa coach Scott Stansberry and his upperclassmen are used to these type of games and atmosphere. Their fanbase will likely pack the visitor side. The jackrabbits have long been a basketball force in the East Valley Region along with Mountain View. In the last 10 seasons, Mesa has stacked up seven 20+ win seasons. The last time it didn't reach 20 wins was 2021 when the 'Rabbits finished 16-3, as the lingering effects of COVID shortened the regular season.

Red Mountain has three 20-win seasons in its school history. Coach Chris Lemon won 19 games during his first season in 2017-'18, and despite an upset loss to Gilbert last Friday, this year's squad has brought him perhaps more confidence than any other team in his tenure. 

"For the first time in my eight years coaching at (Red Mountain) we have a graduating class that has grown up together," Lemon says of his current roster. "They've been through ups and downs together. Adding Drew Hall and Travon Darby makes this team even better. We have yet to have everyone fully healthy for a game this year, but we're getting there."

Hall is a senior who transferred from Basha and one of the state's best true point guards. He was also leading the Mountain Lions with nearly 15 points per game before an injury sidelined him the last five games. If he's healthy enough to play tonight, Mesa will have a challenge on its hands. In Hall's absence, Darby has stepped up and demonstrated his potential as a star in the making. Just a sophomore, Darby is averaging 13 points a game, including a 24-point effort last Friday night in a surprising loss to Gilbert.

6-5 forward Gage Lindsey, one of last year's most productive players, also missed time early in the season but has returned. 6-7 senior Bjorn Molenaar takes up plenty of space in the paint. If Hall is healthy and able tonight, Mesa should have its work cut out.

"We have yet to play our best basketball this year," Lemon added. "I truly believe that." 

Mesa's roster is a blend of veteran grit and remarkable young talent. Freshman Kyi-Kyi Miles  is arguably the state's best player in a talented and deep 2028 class. The 6-4 guard is averaging 20 points a game and is could develop into Mesa's best player since his cousin Jahii Carson averaged 32 points per game in 2010. Miles helped the jackrabbits avoid an upset at home to Cibola last week, as he hit a jump shot at the buzzer to lift Mesa to a 52-51 victory. 
 

"He's been everything a coach and team could ask for," Stansberry said of the superstar freshman. "He can do so many things but he also emphasizes the team concept."

Sophomore guard Daijon Grayson adds more quickness and scoring ability (10ppg) to the jackrabbits backcourt. Seniors John Petersen and Jarren Galarza bring the necessary leadership and experience that give Mesa a shot at an Open division playoff run. Galarza is shooting nearly 40% from 3-point range and broke a school record with 10 3-pointers against Westwood.  Petersen (12ppg) plays much bigger than his 6-3 frame, as he's a constant force near the rim where he creates high-percentage opportunies offensively.

"We'll be ready," coach Stansberry said. "Red Mountain is very well coached. They have good size and use it to their advantage. Darby has done a good job in Drew Hall's absence."

Red Mountain may have home court advantage, but even with the young backcourt, Mesa would seemingly have the edge in big game experience.

"That's fair to say," Lemon admits. "But this group of seniors have more playoff wins than any other group to come through this school. They've played in big games before...playing Mesa in a game like this will make us better in the long run, win or lose."