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STATE CHAMPIONSHIP X-FACTORS

The state championships for 4A, 5A and 6A are all set. The 6A match-up will be a familiar one, between two long-time rivals that pack the house every time they meet up. For Desert Vista, this was to be expected. Armed with Marquette-signee Osasere Ighodaro and a high-major sophomore point guard prospect, Dasean Lecque, they are one, if not the most, talented team in the state with Division-I level basketball players sprinkled throughout the roster. However, on the other side, not many in this state would have predicted the Mountain Pointe Pride would be one of the final two teams left at the end.

They have a trio of guards that have led them to this point in 5’11” senior TJ Tiger, 5’11” junior Jason Kimbrough and 5’9” freshman Mark Brown. First-year Head Coach Kaimar Price and the Pride will need heavy contributions out of all three to have a chance to pull this one out. They will need an equal contribution from 6’7” junior forward Zeroue Williams with the length and size Desert Vista possesses in the paint. He will also be heavily called on to try to slow down Ighodaro. However, the X-Factor in the Mountain Pointe equation could very well be 6’2” sharp-shooting senior guard Miles Sulka. If he can knock down some big shots from the outside and limit Desert Vista’s offensive possessions and transition opportunities, it will give them a chance to pull off this upset. Sulka is Mountain Pointe’s purest shooter and the more the Pride can limit Ighodaro’s presence in the paint, where baskets will be hard to come by.

For Desert Vista, I have their 6’0” junior guard Marcus Wady as their X-Factor. Wady is the wild card. When he is on the floor and playing well this team goes from very good to close to unstoppable in the state of Arizona. On the defensive end he moves around like a madman and can really cause some havoc on that end that gets the Thunder out in transition, where they are at their best.

In 5A we will see a match-up that just about everyone who knows Arizona basketball predicted as the top-seeded Millennium Tigers square up with the 2nd-seeded Ironwood Eagles. Both teams have absolutely steam-rolled thru the season. Millennium has played one of the tougher schedules amongst anyone on the West Coast and Ironwood dominated the most competitive region in the state, regardless of conference. This might be the most intriguing and even-played match-up of any championship game we have on the table.

Ironwood comes in armed with just about everything a high school team could want. While they don’t possess a true big man, they possess size that plays much bigger than what they are and with motors. They will need 6’5” senior forward David Teibo to be big in this one. As many very good teams they have played, they have yet to face a player like Millennium’s 6’9” junior forward DaRon Holmes, who has been absolutely dominant this season and had his way with whoever has attempted to guard him. Teibo has the body, strength and athleticism to cause some problems for Holmes, but that is easier said than done. If Teibo can be find a way to make it difficult for Holmes it could throw the Tigers off their game, as they run their offense heavily through Holmes and are at their best when they do.

The guard play in this game is going to be one for the ages. Ironwood has a multiude of weapons at the position led by senior duo Trent Hudgens and Dominic Gonzalez, while Millennium comes into this with possibly the best junior point guard in the state in Justus Jackson. Jackson will have to be dominant in this one, no question and the other guards for the Tigers will have to be able to balance out the barrage of Ironwood’s backcourt.

Millennium’s 6’4” senior guard/wing Justice Marmara could be a huge X-Factor in this contest. He is the one guard outside of Jackson that possesses the size and athleticism to contend with the multitiude of guards that Ironwood possesses. At any time, one of these Eagles guards could heat up and drop 25 on you in a heart beat. Whoever seems like the hot hand for the Eagles will probably be the guy that Marmara draws. On the offensive side, if he can get some opportunities with the ball down in the paint, he could be a mismatch nightmare in the trenches for Ironwood with his physicality and ability to put the ball in the bucket down low in the post.

It’s time to chase some rings, fellas! Let’s get it! SHOWtime!

PEORIA PANTHERS ARE ON A MISSION!

The scene was set on Tuesday night between the Saint Mary’s Knights, one of the richest in tradition basketball programs in the state, and the Peoria Panthers, the school on the west side that is not always mentioned amongst the state’s “elite”. There was word spread wide that the gym would reach capacity at least an hour before game time with tickets being sold out online and that the line for ticket sales outside would be stretching around the parking lot. There was no exaggeration in those statements.

Both programs student sections went back and forth with 75 mins left til tip-off, verbally jabbing each other with one-liners. It was one of the better high school basketball pre-game entertainment shows I have ever seen.

Then the tip-off happen and Peoria came out swinging… and never stopped! Peoria went into the half leading by 18 after 6’5” junior wing Kevin Kogbara hit a right-handed James Harden-esque step-back 3-pointer to end the half. Kogbara was absolutely amazing in the first half but had to sit on the bench with 2 early fouls. While he was off the floor, senior guard duo 6’0” Isaac Monroe and 5’9” Corey Perry lit it up. 6’0” freshman sharp-shooting guard Andrew Camacho made his presence felt early creating turnovers, taking a charge and knocking down some outside shots. 5’10” senior guard DeAndre Petty was incredible and was all over the floor.

However, even though Peoria was so dominant in the first half, it felt as if everybody in the gym could sense a big St. Mary’s run that would get them back in it. After all, they are one of the deepest teams in the state in terms of talent and guys that can flat out get it done. They got the lead cut down to 8 and that was about as close as they would ever get. Kogbara had some stretches where he looked like a pure dominant force and their collection of guards were hitting everything they tossed up. They owned the boards for the most part and created havoc on the defensive end. And just like that, Peoria stunned everyone with a 85-59 win behind one of the better balanced scoring attacks with all five starters pouring in 15-19 points. As a team, they shot 14-for-22 from the 3-point line with Corey Perry going 5/5 from deep. Now the Panthers find themselves locked into a match-up with the 2nd-seeded Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, AZ), led by Harvard-signee Evan Nelson, who has led the Lancers to now three consecutive 4A state title games.

For those who don’t get out to the West Valley much or may be just don’t know much about the school that sits off of Grand Avenue and Peoria Ave, this team has been building up to this situation and moment for quite some time. It’s a team that see’s most of them stick together all year-round from the high school season, to spring and summer ball to fall pre-season ball. Though they play in a system that allows them to boogie and get up and down the floor in a hurry, it is ORGANIZED chaos. They have a chemistry and it always seems as if they are completely bought in to the vision of Peoria Panther basketball.

But this road has not been paved smooth…

For undisclosed reasons, Peoria’s long-time Head Coach Will Roberts has not been on the bench for the majority of the season. However, while most teams might fold up their chairs and allow the table to fall apart, these kids rallied behind their coaching staff, led by interim Head Coach Patrick Battillo, and held that table up.

Most of these kids are no stranger to a little adversity. It’s a school placed in an area where life may not always be easy but you rally and you push thru it to get what it is you want out of life at the present time and for the future. So it’s no surprise to the people that sit in that locker room before and after every game that this could be done.

This teams is filled with upper class men, including three senior starters in Monroe, Petty and Perry. Possibly the teams top current prospect is Kogbara. A kid with size that can be such a match-up nightmare against any team. However, it takes him to be at his best and limiting mistakes and turnover for this team to truly reach it’s peak. The other member of the starting five is the freshman, Andrew Camacho, who is right up there as far as freshman who made the biggest impact at the varsity level in their rookie season. The kid has knocked down big shot after big shot and has to be toward the top of the list in charges taken this year. What he may lack in athleticism, he makes up for in pure basketball genius for such a young mind. It helps that the kid has a strap that most military snipers would be jealous of. Where Kogbara is the engine to the car, Monroe is the steering wheel. They go where he takes them.

As much as the starting five has done, you will never reach your true pinnacle as a team without the devotion to the team’s goals from your bench. And they get that in abundance. Guys like junior guard Tre Bell and Shemar Moore and the rest of the bench that dedicates themselves to making this team battle ready.

So here we are… the Peoria Panthers are heading to the State Championship game at the Arizona Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night.

The Show’s 1st Round Playoff Take…

The State playoffs in the AIA are officially underway. There are some great first round match-ups to kick it off. In this article, I will highlight some of the match-ups I am looking forward to in the 2020 state playoffs.

6A might not be as wide open of a conference as the others, but regardless, there are some very good match-ups to look forward to. Going into this season, Chavez was widely considered as one of the favorites to go all the way. However, with an unfortunate incident at the beginning of the season there have been a vast roster shake-up for the Champions. However, Head Coach Gary Lee and Assistant Coach Rodney Brown have rallied the troops and they have played their way into the 8th spot in the playoffs to host and square up with Basha High. This match-up is going to be a good one in two very contrast in styles.

Basha is going to attempt to slow this game down and limit transition opportunities as they try to put the ball in the hands of their best two players to try and get scoring opportunities in 6’6” freshman forward Landon Schumaker and 6’3” junior guard Trenton McLaughlin. Schumaker will have a tough pairing with Chavez’s 6’5” senior forward Nyjier Andrews, who has been a catalyst for them and brings a different type of hustle and toughness to the game. This same Chavez team handles Basha 66-51 at a neutral location for the McClintock shoot-out over the holiday break.

The Perry Puma’s will travel to Brophy Prep, in what will be a raucous environment. There is no question that Perry has the talent to pull off the 12/5 upset with possibly the best big man duo in the state with 6’11” sophomore Dylan Anderson and 6’9” junior Duke Brennan, who has been a force all season long. They do have to rely on some contributions from freshman probably more than Head Coach Sam Duane would prefer but junior guard Christian Tucker could be an X-Factor for them to pull off the upset. Brophy defeated Perry 57-52 at home less a few weeks back.

Mountain Pointe will travel out to the west side to play La Joya. La Joya has probably been the biggest surprise this season, locking up the #6 seed in the playoffs when most people did not mention them to make much noise this season. Mountain Pointe has played one of the tougher schedules in the state and will walk into this with some tests in battles, though they have come up one the losing side with a lot of them battles. There will be a very exciting match-up between both teams best guards in junior Jason Kimbrough (MP) and senior Nahshon Harper (La Jolla), who has just balled out all season long and has put this Wolves team on his back. Head Coach Roger Lefebvre has done a magnificent job with this group but will need to play their best basketball of the season in this one. The Pride’s 6’7” junior forward Zereoue Williams could have a huge imprint in this game, as La Jolla does not feature a player over 6’2”. If Miles Sulka can get hot from the outside with his sweet shooting stroke and open some things up in the paint, this could go the Pride’s way. However, it’ll be a tall task to keep one of the better walking buckets in Harper in check.

In 5A, McClintock will travel to Cactus Shadows in the 8/9 match-up. Cactus Shadows has been a huge surprise this season as well and will go into this game with a bit of a mental edge, as they went into the Chargers home and defeated them on their court by 14 a little over a month ago. However, McClintock has the talent to pull this one off on the road behind the senior duo of Armani Williams and Chance Garland. If those two play the way they are capable of playing, they will have a great chance to advance. However, if they allow Cactus Shadows to slow their game down and execute their game plan, they could be heading home for the year.

The rest of the 5A conference is going to see a whole lot of familiar faces with five of the eight first round match-ups being region opponents. All top seeds in these match-ups in 2nd-seeded Ironwood, 4th-seeded South Mountain, 5th-seeded Buena, 6th-seeded Sunnyslope and 7th-seeded Cienega all went 2-0 on the season against their opponents in region play that they will face up against in the first round.

In 4A, 9th-seeded Desert Edge will travel to play 8th-seeded Deer Valley in yet another inner-region match-up. However, in this one the teams split on the season with the home team winning both contests. This one is going to be a battle with the game being hosted by the Skyhawks.

The Buckeye/Shadow Mountain match-up has lost a little luster from the years past, when this used to be one that people circled on the calendar. Nevertheless, this one will be a good one as the 7th-seeded Hawks will host the 10th-seeded Matadors in Buckeye. Shadow Mountain is one of those teams that could win this game by 10 or lose it by 15. Shadow’s 6’4” senior wing Shemar Morrow is back into the swing of things and could be the factor that could pull off this “upset”. However, Buckeye has one of the better pure scorers in the state with 6’1” senior point guard Tay Boothman. If Boothman has one of them electric shooting nights, Buckeye should be able to pull this one off. It would be of great help if they can get a really solid contribution from one or both of their underclassmen guards in sophomore Jayson Redhouse or freshman Matthew Henry-Harrison.

Let’s Get It, AZ! #PlayoffTime #GoBigOrGoHome

The Show’s “War of the Winter” tournament opened my eyes to a lot of up and coming players that are all hopeful to suit up for their high school varsity teams next season. Here are some of the top performers I was able to watch and was impressed with…

Kendre Pride (6’1”/G-W/2024/AZ Select UAA)- Pride earned MVP honors of the event behind five impressive and consistent performances. Pride effected every game in just about every facet. His ability to finish around the rim and in transition with ease makes him a real factor. He crashes the boards better than anyone I saw over the weekend and defends at a high level when engaged. Has the ability to score at all three levels. Depending on the situation he walks into at the high school level, he could be a starter from day one.

Gabe Pickens (5’7”/PG/2024/AZ Select UAA)- Pickens is flat out impressive. A true point guard that can fill it up from all three levels. His handle and first step are impressive and he seems to always be the smartest player on the floor. He is a shorter guard but his compact frame makes him so much stronger than anyone guarding him. This kid has a chance to be truly special. He is projected to be heading to play with his big brother, Nate, at Paradise Honors for Head Coach Zach Hettel.

Styles Phipps (5’10”/CG/2024/AZ Select UAA)- Phipps was balling in every game he took part in. He thrives on the defensive end, where he flies around the floor and creates so many turnover opportunities for his team. He is tough as nails and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. His outside shot is a little on the flat side but you can’t argue with the percentages of how often it dumps inside the hoop. He usually is often times making the right basketball play and is the cause for many positive things happening on the floor. He will be heading to St. Mary’s to play for Head Coach Damin Lopez.

Donovan Franks (6’3”/PF/2024/AZ Select UAA)- Franks was one of the better “prospects” I saw all weekend. The active power forward is a problem to deal with at this level and he looks as if he has plenty of inches left in his future. He has a mold of a big man that can take over a game, along with being the proto-type X-Factor. He can cause some real problems for opposing bigs and create mismatches on the offensive end. I am very excited to see where this kid’s journey ends up at.

Christian Washington (6’0”/Wing/2024/AZ Select UAA)- This Uber-athletic wing has as much upside as anyone I saw in this event. He is already starting to get some real bounce to his jump and he moves so fluid that you could see him as an above-the-rim type of player at the next level. Add in the fact that he has the ability to knock it down from the outside and take it off the bounce, we might have us a real deal type of prospect moving forward.

Preston Lee (5’10”/PG/2024/AZ Select UAA)- Lee is one of the smarter players on the floor every time he steps on it. I was surprised a lot by his quick feet on the defensive end where he can be downright stifling at times. He often makes the right basketball play and can knock it down at a high rate from the outside. Love the way he plays the game with such a high IQ.

Marcus Wilson (6’0”/CG/2024/Blue Chip Nation)- Wilson was one of the true bright spots of the event. The Albuquerque-native was one of the more pure talents of the entire field. His ability to split double-teams was a sight to see and his handle is about as tight as it comes at that level. He can really stroke it from the outside and had some spurts that was straight up “show time”. I would like to see more out of him on the defensive end because I have a feeling he could be one of the top two-way players on the West Coast in that age group if he does. He was a pure joy to watch.

Nazir Davis (5’10”/SG/2024/Blue Chip Nation)- Davis is a player. He can make his presence felt in so many ways in between the lines. He makes some very impressive plays with the ball in his hands and possesses some real athleticism. He has the ability to hit the outside shot but will probably need some more consistency from out there to stay at the top of the prospect list in this class. There is no doubt that he has the ability to be there. He can really cause some issue on the defensive end for opponents and is one of the more versatile kids out there. He needs to reign the game in a little bit from the mental aspect with decision-making but that comes with maturity.

AJ Seumanu (6’1”/W-F/2024/Blue Chip Nation)- Seumanu was one of the tougher customers in the building this past weekend. Played in another local event before making his way over to play in this event, so did not have his best showing on Saturday, as his team eked out two wins. However, he must have ate his wheaties on Sunday morning because he brought it in every game. While he has the ability to knock it down from deep, its his presence in the paint and his mid-range game that stands out and makes him so effective. He is a true “lunch-pale” type of player that makes you understand that his hard hat is harder than yours. Loved the way this kid played.

Luke Moga (5’10”/G/2024/Blue Chip Nation)- Moga has one of the better basketball IQ’s that I saw out of this group. Great passer and a knock-down shooter in the making.. A tough and good defender that plays the passing lanes very well.

LaRon Smith (5’10”/G/2024/Blue Chip Nation)- Smith plays basketball like a free safety. He is a ball of energy that is all over the court and can affect a game in so many ways at this level. His story will probably be told by how much he grows in the end because he is more of a wing guard as of right now. But he can score from all three levels and plays at an extremely high level on the defensive end.

Koa Peat (6’4”/F-C/2025/AZ Saints)- Peat is a beast! It is almost unfair at times to be that size at 13 years old and move as agile as the big fella does. He is a load inside the paint and has the ability to take a defender off the dribble and knock it down from the outside. His footwork is nothing short of impressive at that size, as he looks like a Varsity offensive linemen already. His most underrated skill is probably his passing ability. If he continues to grow, he is going to be a real problem at the next level for a long time. Peat will be heading to Corona Del Sol in two years.

Bo Dolinsek (6’3”/G-W/2024/AZ Saints)- Dolinsek had one of the hotter hands in the event and had one game where he knocked down seven 3-pointers and made it look easy. Has some length as well and isn’t afraid to get active isn’t he paint on both ends of the floor. Would like to see his feet get a little quicker laterally but he is smarter enough at this level to defend multiple positions.

Donald Tinsley (5’9”/G/2024/AZ Saints)- Tinsley is a strong lead guard that I was very impressed with. Plays both ends of the floor and plays very confidently. Would like to see him mature into more of a real leader but the kid has some tools you can’t teach. He is lightning quick with a nice first step and can knock it down from the outside. Absorbs contact very well in traffic.

Cameron Holmes (6’1”/G-W/2025/AZ Battle)- Holmes was hands-down the best shooter in the gym all weekend long, nailing down countless long-range threes. The talented young lefty is the little brother of one of the top prospects on the West Coast, but you can only imagine that he is right around the corner for making a big name for himself. He was also the youngest player in the event at only 12 years of age still. It is scary to think of how good he could be if he stays in love with the basketball gym when they are dark and nobody is in them. He has all the intangibles. He is long, super competitive and extremely coachable. He has the ability to put it on the deck but needs to start working on his opposite hand much more to keep the higher-level defenders honest.

AJ Marsh (5’5”/PG/2024/AZ Battle)- Marsh was impressive in the match-up that mattered to me most, when the Battle squared up against the AZ Select UAA team, Marsh was at his best. He was easily the quickest player in the gym with the ball in his hands and his handles are just ridiculous. He is a single-man press break and almost impossible to stay in front of. His mid-range pull-up jumper will probably be his biggest strength on the offensive end. He is a pest of a defender on the other end and can get his team in the open floor in a hurry.

Evan Coates (6’5”/F/2024/AZ Select Black)- Coates is one of the better looking prospects that were in the gym because of his combination of size and ability to shoot it at a high clip from the outside. The kid has a clip. Even when he misses, it looks good. Also does not mind the dirty work down low, which is a breath of fresh air since most kids that have the combination of size and that skill set usually like to just live on the outside. Not Coates, he rebounds and his not afraid to hit the deck. He will need some work on his lateral quickness if he ever wants to develop into more of a wing-type of forward but he is a pleasure to watch play the game at this level. He is projected to end up at Desert Vista High next season.

Damian Castro (5’3”/PG/2025/AZ Select Black)- Castro is undersized, but man does this tough little guard play with some heart and is just flat-out effective. Played up an age group and is fearless. Really good playermaker and is one of the smartest kids on the floor anytime he is on it. Tough as nails and a leader. He will join Cameron Holmes (AZ Battle) at Millennium in that 2025 class.

Keon Talgo (6’1”/G-W/2024/AZ Select Black)- Talgo is one of the more effective players you will catch at this age group. Doesn’t do it with a ton of bounce or athleticism but put his imprint on the game in so many ways. He attacks the rim with purpose and can knock it down from the outside. Usually the first kid to hit the ground for the ball and a true competitor. Rebounds on both ends of the floor. Talgo will be heading to Gilbert Christian next season.

Archie Graves (5’5”/PG/2024/OmuWamu)- Graves is a showtime type of point guard with a very nice handle and a flat out competitor. The boy can flat-out play. A true point guard that makes everyone on the floor better. Will need to learn how to finish around the rim better but that will come with time, as he will have to learn how to maneuver being that he is an undersized guard. But you know he is a gym rat. Was often the first player in the gym for his team and the last player to leave and sat courtside watching, even when he was not playing. I am a true fan of this kid who performs at a high level on both ends. I have a feeling his name will be a popular one moving forward.

Ezias Steffens (6’2”/W/2024/OmuWamu)- This kid has some of the best upside I saw all weekend with a great combination of length, size and agility. He is coming into his athleticism and bounce and already possesses a nice handle and stroke from the outside. I would like to see more from him on the defensive end, where he gets lazy at times. He could have an extremely bright future if he puts in the work.

EJ Mills (5’7”/G/2024/OmuWamu)- I can’t put a grasp on where this kid will end up as a prospect but at this age, this kid can flat out play. Moves extremely well laterally and vertically. Has a nice bounce to his step and defends at a high level, especially at creating turnovers by attacking the passing lanes. Can knock it down from 3 and finishes well in transition.

Cohen Ferguson (5’11”/CG/2024/AZ Kings)- Ferguson plays with a high level IQ for his age and plays a very fundamental, efficient game. A dream come true for the system Head Coach Doug Harris runs at Hamilton, where Ferguson could be heading to next season. Kid is tough as nails and can put the ball in the hoop. He is the team’s go-to scorer when they need a bucket but does a good job of not forcing too much.

Dylan Lee (5’11/SG/2024/AZ Kings)- Lee has some good length for his age and can really knock it down from the outside. The Hamilton Huskies are going to be getting a very smart knock-down outside threat next season and if the kid continues to grow, we might have a specialist in the making…

Mitsu Navarro (6’0”/W/2024/AZ Kings)- A wing with some good size and a nice touch in the paint. Has the ability to knock it down from mid-range and 3-point territory and has a beautiful floater that he knocks down probably somewhere around an 80% clip when he takes it. Also very active on the boards and plays with real effort.

Harvey Sayon (6’0”/G-W/2024/Tucson Lightning)- A young, athletic slasher that runs the floor as good as anyone I saw this weekend. Very active on both ends. You can tell he is still learning the tendencies of the game but the more he learns, the better he will get. Kid just attacks! Fearless penetrator, especially in transition and looks like he could very well be an above-the-rim type of player. Sayon will be heading to Catalina Foothills next season.

Aidan Teasley (5’10”/G/2024/Tucson Lightning)- Teasley is a competitor. A kid who seems to love to compete and is tough as nails. Very fundamental and a leader on the floor. Can knock it down from three and has a good looking corner-3 stroke. Plays with a ton of effort and is not afraid to mix it up with anyone.

Ciasen Fuller (5’9”/CG/2024/Tucson Select Spartans)- A very solid lead guard that isn’t afraid to attack any defender in front of him. Possesses a very tight handle and is a really good playmaker with the ball in his hands. Really flourishes in the open floor. Needs to put some time in the gym to become a real threat from the outside to keep defenders honest when they start to understand how to guard him. That should come with time as the kid seems like the gym-rat type.

Quinton Ragland (5’11”/Wing/2024/Tucson Select Spartans)- Ragland is still very raw but has a ton of upside. Has some real length and already does all the little things very well. Rebounds, blocks shots, defends and hustles. If he commits himself to developing, he could develop into a real player.

Treyvion Curry (5’5”/PG/2024/AZ Select White)- Curry is an undersized guard but man can this makes some things happen. Has a very good handle and just drops dimes. He will give u a great pass every two or three times down the floor and the kid puts a ton of pressure on the defense with the way he attacks it with the ball in his hands.

Alexander Clontz (6’0”/F/2024/AZ Select White)- A very strong rebounder and finisher in the paint. Plays with a “rough rider” mentality and can knock it down from the outside. Does all the little things and sets very strong screens. If he lands in a system that runs pick-and-rolls on a regular basis, he could be a huge factor in that system.

Presley Ebeh (6’3”/W-F/2024/AZ Swish)- Ibeh is a very tough and aggressive wing forward that can really do some things on the floor. He is long and has great hands and runs the floor extremely well. You can see him starting to tap into his athleticism, which could end up being his biggest asset. He will receive some great coaching at the next level for 4 years, as he is heading to Ironwood to play for Head Coach Jordan Augustine.

Dayleon Howard (5’10”/G/2024/AZ Swish)- Howard is developing into a crafty little guard. He has the mental part of the game down and has a nice mid-range shot off the dribble. A solid decision maker that goes stretches of being a really good playmaker. You have a feeling his best years of basketball are ahead of him.

TURN ME UP, GARRISON PHELPS!

St. Mary’s High School has a long tradition of star players that moved on to have success at a high level at the next level. They are entrenched in tradition and will forever be considered a staple of Arizona basketball. So it is a bit nostalgic to see former St. Mary’s star guard and the son of legendary Head Coach David Lopez, as Damon Lopez kneels on the sideline and coaches a very young, but very talented Knights team..

The team’s sophomore class is arguably the most talented one in the state with 5’11” point guard Orlando Gonzales, 6’1” guard Jacob Estrada, 6’8” big man Bear Cherry and new-transfer 6’8” rim-running big Foune Doucoure. While this trio brings a whole lot of things to the table, it is their 6-foot-5 talented and Uber-athletic wing, Garrison Phelps, that makes you think this team could be in line for a few 4A State titles down the road.

If you haven’t seen him and you run into him before the game, he certainly looks the part. Long with a bounce to his step and eyes that look permanently locked in. He’s the kid that understands the importance of a good pre-game stretch. That may be due to the fact that his father, Dionne Phelps, is heading into his 3rd decade of coaching the game and has coached at nearly every level. He is currently the Head Assistant Coach of one of the more talented high school programs in America at Dream City Christian, who is currently the 2nd ranked team on the national prep circuit, the Grind Session.

If there is a knock on him as of now it would be in the motor department. Sure, it could be because he seldomly steps on the floor against talent or potential that even grazes his floor, which probably leads to some coasting at times. However, he is a permanent motor away from being a high-major type of prospect.

Garrison is a little different from most talented young hoopers his age. He’s more on the quiet side and seems a bit more reserved than most high school sophomores. He doesn’t invest a lot of his time into social media or the social scene and seems to be very content in sticking around the people he has known for years.

The 2022 class is a loaded one in Arizona with three guys that already have high-major offers in Perry’s Dylan Anderson, who he played AAU with this past spring and summer on the Nike Arizona Supreme team, to go with Hillcrest Prep’s duo of Sadraque Nganga and Devontes Cobbs. If I had to say there is a kid that has a chance in that class to be the next one to bring such an offer to that Arizona class, it is Phelps. One things is for sure, his fait is in his hands.