Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham was there. So was Arizona’s Brent Brennan as well as scouts from Tennessee, TCU and other high profile colleges, all of them hoping to witness the sport’s next big stars.
A meeting between two 6A teams, both with 7-0 records and widely regarded as the best in the state, drew a crowd, on the sidelines and in the stands. Ultimately, visiting No. 2 Hamilton won the battle of Chandler schools with a 28-12 victory over top-ranked Basha Friday night.
Hamilton grabbed an early lead late in the first quarter and never fell behind. The Huskies receivers were a big reason why.
“We know nobody can guard us,” said Hamilton wide receiver Roye Oliver III, who scored three touchdowns. “Our (receivers) coach, Johnnie Dixon, played at Ohio State, and he really pushes us in practice.”
Basha came into the game ranked 18th nationally. Both teams feature multiple athletes expected to play at the Division I level.
Hamilton has 2026 3-star Oklahoma commits Beau and Niko Jandreau, Nebraska commit Rex Waterman and 2028 4-star receiver Oliver. Basha has 2026 3-star Vanderbilt commit Mason Lewis, 3-star New Mexico State commit Eli Cramer-Cronin and 3-star Colorado State commit Kash Brock.
Heading into the game, Oliver had 23 receiving touchdowns. His two receiving scores against Basha helped him set a new single-season 6A state record previously held by Mesa Mountain View’s Talan Arnett, who had 24 last season.
The game started as a defensive battle as both offenses struggled to get anything going. Late in the first quarter, Hamilton kicked off the scoring as Oliver broke a 65-yard punt return touchdown to give the Huskies a 7-0 lead. Basha was able to answer with a field goal to make it 7-3.
On the next possession for Hamilton, sophomore quarterback Jaxson Sculley connected with Oliver for a 75-yard touchdown to extend the Huskies’ lead. Basha answered with a rushing touchdown from senior running back Joshua Gaines. Basha attempted a two-point conversion, but was unsuccessful.
Late in the first half, both Hamilton and Basha added points as Sculley connected with junior tight end Billy Davis for a touchdown and Basha made a field goal with time expiring, making it a 21-12 game.
The second half began with a second receiving touchdown to Oliver, giving the Huskies a 28-12 lead. The game soon turned into a defensive battle.
The Huskies and Bears had tons of answers for the opposing offenses, stopping all the big plays and energy that dominated the first half.
The Huskies’ defense was unstoppable, offering answers for the Bears’ offense in the air and on the ground. Basha struggled to get things going, and those challenges continued throughout the entire game.
“It’s awesome to see those guys play collectively together,” Huskies coach Travis Dixon said. “And the connection is the biggest thing that you see with those guys. Not just defensively, but collectively as a full unit.”
As the fourth quarter began, much of Basha’s student section had left the stadium. Hamilton’s student section brought the energy from the first quarter until the end and stayed to support the team in a big-time win.
Hamilton’s offense was able to do whatever it wanted thanks to strong offensive line play.
“Don’t get me started on them,” Sculley said of his linemen. “They are crazy. I love them all. We always go out to eat every single week that we’ve been together.”
Hamilton and Basha may get a chance to meet again in the playoffs, and if that happens, their next matchup will surely bring the fireworks.
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