2026 MLK Basketball Classic Story

The Tucson Unified School District along with Coaches for Charity hosted a day full of high school basketball at McKale Center to celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 19, 2026.
In boys’ action JD Whetten scored 12 points to lead the Willcox Cowboys to a 47 to 44 victory over the Santa Rita Eagles.
Daniel Anumba scored 17 points for the Mountain Lions as Mountain View defeated the Catalina Foothills Falcons 70 to 51.
Cisco Llamas netted 18 points and Josh Salter added 17 as the Sahuaro Cougars defeated Cholla 65 to 53. Jerry Mendosa led all scorers with 26 points for the Chargers.

In the final game of the night, Bobby Baltierrez scored 21 points to lead the Cienega Bobcats to a 73 to 57 win over the Buena Colts.
In girls’ action, Nicole Njoroge made 12 points and Brooke Sanburn added 10 to lead the Pusch Ridge Lions to a 48 to 27 win over the Sabino Sabercats.
Amphi defeated the Douglas Bulldogs 49 to 36 as Monica Berrett scored 16 points and Kayla Tuakalau added 13 for the Panthers.
Angelique Yanez scored 15 and Esabella Barajas added 11 points for the Blue Devils as Sunnyside defeated the Nogales Apaches 46 to 23.
The day of basketball began with a 5th grade and under co-ed exhibition game in which Lineweaver defeated Grijalva 49 to 4.
The MLK Basketball Classic at McKale Center on the University of Arizona campus celebrates cultural awareness, good sportsmanship and citizenship through competitive basketball, honoring of student-athletes, showcasing student performances of the National Anthem, entertainment by pep bands, dance and cheer teams, a student essay contest, as well as recognition of school support staff, faculty and administrators.