BY ZACH SMART
CHANDLER, AZ—Koa Peat leaked out in transition, soared in front of a pair of helpless defenders and crammed a devastating one-handed dunk mid-way through the third quarter of Perry High School’s 62-36 dismantling of Williams Field.
In the LV8 Invitational on Saturday afternoon, before a packed crowd at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Perry HS played like a national contender.
Even as Arizona State football’s resurgence continued with the Sun Devils’ 49-7 routing of rival Arizona, as fans of both programs actively rummaged through their phones to check the score, all eyes remained on the powerfully built and versatile Peat.
As Perry’s lead became insurmountable in the wire to wire trouncing, the 6-foot-8 and 240-pound Peat bucketed a mid-range jumper two possessions later. After terrorizing San Tan Charter to the tune of 31 points in the event’s opener, Peat finished with 14 points in just over two quarters.
As the second quarter began, Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley entered the gym. Hurley and Peat spoke briefly after the performance.
Oozing of one-and-done potential, the highly coveted Peat has been the engine on which a No. 6 nationally ranked Perry team has leaned.
Seeking his fourth state title in as many years, Peat recently whittled his collegiate choices down to Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, and Texas. He’s made official visits to each of his final five.
Duke, Kansas, North Carolina, Arkansas, and a barrage of others had previously been in active pursuit of the Gilbert, Ariz. native.
“I don’t have any visits scheduled, I’m just trying to figure everything out and eventually arrive at a decision,” Peat said. “I’m focused on being a leader. Putting my teammates before me, and just playing my butt off.”
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