![](http://www.copperarea.com/pages/wp-content/uploads/Panthers_6090-400x267.jpg)
Going for a layup.
The 15th-ranked Superior boys’ basketball team maintained its hold on a potential playoff berth after splitting a pair of games last week against North Phoenix Prep Academy and No. 2-ranked NFL Yet Academy.
The state tournament, which begins Feb. 17 in Prescott Valley, will include 10 automatic berths and six at-large berths to form the 16-team field. The Panthers can assure themselves being one of the 10 automatic entries by reaching the 1A East Region Tournament finals. The six at-large qualifiers will be based on ranking.
In last Tuesday’s 52 – 38 win against North Phoenix Prep Academy, Marcos Bueno and Kale Major finished with 17 and 12 points, respectively. Bueno, a junior, also had nine rebounds in game, tying Jalon Murray for the team high. Major, a sophomore, had his highest scoring game of the season against the Gladiators.
With the win, the Panthers improved to 11 – 10 overall and 7 – 4 in region play.