84×50

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.

5A NORTHWEST IS LOADED!

There is going to be a ton of competition across the state of Arizona. So much so is that I do not think you can name a clear cut favorite in any conference to win the state championship. However, this 5A Northwest Region is just on another level. I have them marked down to have four teams in the 5A state playoffs with the obvious trio of Sunnyslope, Ironwood and Apollo and Sunrise Mountain emerging as a team that can not be overlooked. And if Centennial can pull off an upset or two in region play, the Coyotes could sneak in there with some young talented coming up under Head Coach Randy Lavender.

How many other regions can say that? It makes me even more excited that the bulk of this region is planted close to my home and that any given night there will be a dog fight taking place between two very talented teams close by on the West Side of town.

No doubt Sunnyslope comes into this season as the favorite to win this region with a ton of talent and Head Coach Ray Portella able to go two-deep at every position. Arizona Christian-commit Paul Hayden And 6-foot-5 marksmen of a wing Xzavier Lino are the seniors that will see big minutes for the Vikings this season and are both terrific leaders for a very talented, but young, group. Lino could be the best corner-3 shooter in the state and can really defend. 6-foot-11 junior big man Carson Basham has made a huge leap from prospect to player since last season and will look to be dominant this season in a conference that doesn’t have much of a man-to-man match up with the very talented big fella. 6-foot-7 junior Grady Lewis is the “Draymond Green” type for this squad. The Division-I prospect is a factor on the boards, an underrated passer and can really clean some things up in the paint and brings maximum effort every game. Their sophomore trio of 5-foot-9 point guard Oakland Fort, 6-foot-6 forward Elijah Saunders and 6-foot-2 wing Jayden Warren are all both the future and the present. All three will see significant minutes for Slope and Fort should be their starting point guard. Their game against Millennium on the road on December 17 is a game that has been highlighted very bright on my calendar.

While Ironwood does not have the depth that Sunnyslope does, Head Coach Jordan Augustine’s starting five can be put up against anybody in the state. Few coaches in the Valley coach with as much passion and attention to detail as Augustine and it shows with the effort and discipline with his players. This was on display with their performance in the Phoenix Fall Showdown held last month at Skyline Prep, as they went 4-0 over the weekend against some very stiff competition. And now word is he will have another bullet in the chamber as former-Moon Valley senior guard Trent Hudgens has enrolled at Ironwood High to give them possibly the best list of guards in the state this year. He will join 6-foot-4 senior silky-smooth Dominic Gonzalez, 6-foot-2 junior guard J.J White and 6-foot-3 junior guard Bailon Black. All four of them can absolutely go. However, the transfer duo of 6-foot-5 pitbull of a senior forward David Teibo (Centennial) and 6-foot-7 senior forward Jaden Glass (Agua Fria). No doubt their depth could become an issue at some point but with the way these kids go, that might not even matter.

The Apollo Hawks and Head Coach Jac Marin lose their leading scorer from last season in Cal State Fullerton-signee Emmanuel Taban. However, the emergence of 5-foot-11 sophomore point guard Ahamed Mohammed has the Hawks ready for another deep playoff run this season in a very deep 5A conference. 6-foot-4 junior shooting guard Paris Woods has looked great in the last few events I have seen him in and looks like the player that many in the AZ Hoop media community thought he would be. 6-foot-5 senior wing Zeke Thompkins will determine a lot of how far this team will go. If he can have a huge breakout season for Apollo, they will have a chance as Zeke brings so much to the table for this team. There is no question what the break point is for this team, they will struggle to shoot it from the outside. However, if they can bait teams into playing up and down and utilize their athleticism and speed, they will find themselves with a lot of tallies in the wins column. Apollo will have an appearance in the highly-coveted Hoop Hall West against Liberty High School out of Henderson, Nevada.

Sunrise Mountain is a bit of a sleeper in that conference to many outside of the teams in the conference. They have a really strong duo in 6-foot-6 junior sharp-shooting wing Colin Carey and 6-foot-6 senior forward Tanner Mayer. Both can really knock it down from the outside and stretch a defense if and when they get hot. While they have a couple hardhat type of guys on the roster for Head Coach Gary Rath, however the issue comes in the point guard play that makes it really hard for the shooters to get open looks. In order for the Mustangs to make any kind of legitimate noise, they will need someone to step up from that position. They will head into their season with a North Peoria rivalry game against Liberty High.

The REAL Kiimani Holt is BACK!

Kiimani Holt is no stranger to looking like the best player on the court. Growing up he was one of the more dominant youth players in the state of Arizona, from the rumblings I have heard.

I first got to see Kiimani during the spring for the then-Powerhouse Hoops 16U program. I saw the intangibles but still wasn’t sold. I saw the college-ready body, the athleticism and the lateral quickness. What I didn’t see was more in the chest and in between the ears. And then something changed…

Holt did his thing for a Rancho Solano Prep team that fell short of some heavy expectations in the 2A conference. However, he racked up some scoring milestones and continued to put in work before rejoining his Powerhouse team on the UAA Rise circuit with a revamped roster on a team that was dominant at the 16U level on the West Coast. To say the least, Holt was not the same. Some of the explosion was gone. The aggression was not there. His usual down hill drives looked like he was trying to climb a mountain while dribbling a basketball and he was being met at the rim more often then not. Sure, he showed flashes, but something was missing with a player and prospect that seemed primed to reach the next level of his game on a bigger stage.

Then after the Under Armour Finals in Atlanta, Holt made the decision to commit to the school that was his very first offer in Portland State. A coaching staff that stayed by his side the whole way thru. Assistant Coach Jase Coburn was a big reason for that. A former assistant coach at Phoenix College and former head coach at McClintock High that also ran a very good AAU program in the Valley called the Arizona Rage.

Since then Kiimani has looked like he is back. During the later part of the summer he was one of the first players to commit to the newly-formed Prep School, PHHoenix Prep, directed and coached by his AAU director and coach, John Ortega and Kirk Fauske. It looks as if that decision is paying off. He spends a good majority of his free time in the gym working on conditioning and you can see it on the floor. The explosion is back and better than ever and he is back to being a body catcher and jumping with his head right under the rim and throwing it down like the rim is on his bad side. The down hill drives are back and in overdrive. He is back to looking like a top-tier perimeter defender. He will need all of that back in his tool bag with the schedule this team will play in the coming months. They will join the Grind Session which features some of the top Prep programs in the nation and Holt will square up with some of the top guards in the country.

“Key” is trimmed down these days. He looks like he is ready to walk into a college basketball practice and be able to blend in physically just fine. Sure he still has some holes to fix in his game. His outside shot is a glaring weakness in his game, mostly because he is so above average in just about every other part of his game. His handle is solid but he could work on his ability to take a defender to the left side of the basket. But his swagger is back. And that’s what many of us that have grown to know and build a relationship with Holt were waiting on. The REAL “Key” is BACK!

TOP TEN (PRE-SEASON) AIA SCHOOLS

(ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

CESAR CHAVEZ CHAMPIONS(6A) -CHAVEZ possesses the best true offensive weapon in the state in 6-foot-4 high-major prospect junior point guard Ty Ty Washington. His long-time backcourt mate, Ricardo Sarmiento, is as smart and tough as they come and they get back their 6-foot-5 junkyard dog of a senior forward in Nyjier Andrews, who was probably the piece they were missing in last years 6A playoff run. Head Coach Gary Lee has multiple undersized guards at his disposal that can really get up and down the floor and apply full-court pressure. It will be interesting to see how one of the top incoming freshman, 6-foot-4 Tru Washington, transitions early at the varsity level and with a very tough schedule. DOG FIGHTS: Chandler (Dec. 17), @ Mountain Pointe (Jan. 10)

CHANDLER WOLVES (6A) -CHANDLER welcomes some anticipation to this season in 6A and has become a team that every opponent circles on the schedule. 6-foot-6 junior guard/wing transfer Isaiah Broady is one of the more talented players in the state and if Head Coach John Rother can get him to commit himself to the defensive end. The kid has a very impressive skill set that can take this team over the top. Their junior point guard Carson Kelly is one of the more underrated players in the state. He is very undersized but the kid is just a flat-out basketball player and possesses one of the better basketball IQ’s in the state. 6-foot-7 junior forward Nick Riley is the anchor down low around the rim. When he is playing active in the paint, this team soars to new heights. Their talented sophomore guard Mekhi Mason is one I am watching for to have a stamped breakout season. If he does, this team could make some serious noise in 6A. DOG FIGHTS: @Gilbert (Nov. 26), Mountain Pointe (Dec. 4), @Cesar Chavez (Dec. 17), @Perry (Jan. 24), Perry (Feb. 11)

DESERT VISTA THUNDER (6A) -DESERT VISTA is probably the most talented team in the state, especially within their starting five where they have some guys in just about every class. 6-foot-10 forward and Marquette commit Osasere Ighodaro is their marquee guy that will need to get into takeover mode when they play in some of their higher profile games and into the 6A playoffs. His front court mate, 6-foot-8 junior forward John Solomon has the ability to be a heavy factor for Head Coach Gino Crump, but the light switch needs to turn on. Their sophomore point guard transfer from New Jersey, 6-foot-1 Deshean Lecque, has been very impressive in the majority of the games I have seen him play in. The tough and talented guard should make a heavy impact for them. I am expecting a real breakout season out of 6-foot-2 sophomore guard Andrew King, who is an absolute dog defensively and is starting to master that corner three ball. Junior guard duo Malik Mack and Marcus Wady are two tough customers. If 6-foot-6 sophomore wing/forward Will Coates can find his role on this team, it will give them some much needed shooting to stretch defenses and open up things for Ighodaro. DOG FIGHTS: @St. Mary’s (Dec. 13), @Mountain Pointe (Jan. 17), @Hamilton (Jan. 30), Mountain Pointe (Feb. 4)

GILBERT TIGERS (5A) -GILBERT loses a lot of production form last season’s state championship team but they bring back Houston Baptist-commit and 6’2” sharp-shooting guard Brycen Long.  They will also welcome back a big piece that they did not have last season in 6-foot-8 senior forward Griffin Lamb, who will be a huge help to a team that lost so much.  Add in some very good X-Factor type of pieces and a team that is one of the better-coached units in the state and the Tigers should find their way right back into the thick of things. 

IRONWOOD EAGLES (5A) -IRONWOOD impressed me more than any other team in the first annual Phoenix Fall Showdown, where they ran the table in that event including a blowout win over Desert Vista. Head Coach Jordan Augustine’s long-time trio of guards in Dominic Gonzalez, Bailon Black and JJ White were impressive every time they took the floor, which is nothing new. What is new is the arrival of senior forward transfer duo of 6-foot-5 David Teibo (Centennial) and 6-foot-7 Jaden Glass (Agua Fria). They truly are the missing pieces this Ironwood team was void of last season when they were making an impressive playoff run before falling in a thriller to Millennium. They should do damage in what will be the most competitive division in the state. DOG FIGHTS: Sunnyslope (Dec. 21), @Sunnyslope (Jan. 17), Apollo (Jan. 21), @Apollo (Feb. 7)

MILLENNIUM TIGERS (5A) – MILLENNIUM will play the toughest schedule of any team in the AIA with a Hoop Hall West game set up against one of the top programs in America in Sierra Canyon. Head Coach Ty Amundsen will take them out to play in some high-profile out of state tournaments in Chicago and South Carolina, while still playing some of the state’s top teams. It is no secret who the team is led by. The junior tandem of 6-foot-9 forward DaRon Holmes and 6-foot point guard Justus Jackson might be the most talented 1-2 punch in the state and they are surrounded around some guys that can flat out get it done. As Ballislife.com touched on in their article that ranked the Tigers as the #45 team in the country, they will have a pair of out-of-state transfers from Texas in 6-foot-5 senior guard Robby Devries and 6-foot-4 guard/wing Justice Marmara. Add in a couple other pieces like senior guard Zach Foster and Michael Batchelor, senior wing/forwards Caleb Wright and Jalen Early, junior guard Coleman Fields and sophomore guard/wing Justin Shorts, and you have what just may be the deepest team in the state as well. DOG FIGHTS: @South Mountain (Dec. 5), Sunnyslope (Dec. 17), Gilbert (Jan. 9), @Valley Vista (Jan. 10)

PARADISE HONORS PANTHERS (3A) -PARADISE HONORS is the lone “small-school” team on this list and for good reason. They have multiple Division-I guys and 6-foot-3 junior lead guard Jalen Scott has been running this program for Head Coach Zach Hettel for three years now and runs this team like a true quarterback. 6-foot-5 senior wing Jerry Iliya is a human energy ball and may get from baseline-to-baseline as fast as anyone in the state. The super-athletic and active wing is the motor that steers the Panther’s whip. 6-foot-2 super talented sophomore guard Nate Pickens is the addition they needed from last year. Just a straight bucket-getting and want-all-the-smoke type of guard. He is one smooth customer. 6-foot-9 sophomore center Logan Pohl will need to provide some legitimate size down low. If he can turn a corner, this team should get the 3A state title that has eluded them the last couple of years. 6-foot-1 senior guard Wyatt Bell returns this year and has looked very good for them. DOG FIGHTS: @ALA-QC (Dec. 3), Gilbert Christian (Dec. 11), @Rancho Solano Prep (Dec. 18), Valley Christian (Jan 11), @Valley Christian (Feb. 11)

PEORIA PANTHERS (4A) -PEORIA has been super impressive this past fall with some impressive performances in some dog fights. This team is just flat out tough! They play fast and hard and can give you a little bit of everything. Head Coach Will Roberts has a multitude of guards that can flat out go including junior Tre Bell. The team will go as far as 6-foot senior guard Isaac Monroe and 6-foot-5 junior wing/forward Kevin Kogbara take them. Monroe is a streaky shooter that can get hot in a hurry and Kogbara could be a match-up nightmare if he can find some consistency from game-to-game. When he is playing well, this team can beat anyone in the state. Freshman guard Andrew Camacho has been as impressive as any rookie in the state and will have some games where he will lead this veteran team in scoring. I’d like to see some of that consistency out of 6-foot-5 super athletic wing/forward Awar Anyieth. He is the one I am looking for to turn the corner. He is a true bundle of energy and bunny-like bounce. DOG FIGHTS: @Deer Valley (Jan. 14), @Buckeye (Jan. 17), Deer Valley (Jan. 30)

PERRY PUMAS (6A) -PERRY possesses possibly the best big man duo in the state behind nationally-coveted sophomore power forward, Dylan Anderson and 6-foot-9 junior big man Duke Brennan. While they will dominate the inside in just about every contest, it is the guard position where they will need a big contribution. The most realistic answer to that is their junior guard Christian Tucker. If he can slow things down from time to time and allow his bigs to play alongside him, they could enjoy tremendous success. It will be interesting to see how their two very talented freshman, Cody Williams and Kevin Patton Jr., adjust to this level. DOG FIGHTS: Chapparal (Dec. 17), Basha (Jan. 10), Chandler (Jan. 24), @Basha (Jan. 28), Hamilton (Feb. 4), @Chandler (Feb. 11)

SALPOINTE CATHOLIC LANCERS (4A) -SALPOINTE CATHOLIC will walk into the season as the favorite to win 4A after falling short in back-to-back years to Shadow Mountain. The team will only go as far as 6-foot-2 senior point guard and Harvard-commit Evan Nelson will take them. However, he is far from alone. 6-foot-3 senior guard Jordan Gainey has looked very impressive as of late and may be the perfect Robin to Nelson’s Batman. Gainey has the chops and skill set to do it. They are aided by a bundle of great shooters and are one of the more disciplined, well-coached groups in the state. DOG FIGHTS: @Tucson (Dec. 5), Nogales (Jan. 3), Cholla (Jan. 9), @Catalina Foothills (Jan. 21)

SKYLINE COYOTES (6A) -SKYLINE has put together one of the more impressive resume’s in June and thru the fall this year in the off-season and are led by one of the better senior guards in the state in 6-foot-2 Northern Arizona-commit Dayten Harris. Their 6-foot-2 sophomore guard Dominic Capriotti might be the best outside shooter in that class. Their senior wing/forward duo of 6-foot-5 Tanner Poeschl and 6-foot-4 Tyree Taylor bring some real energy to this team and are both walking double-doubles. The chemistry that Head Coach James Capriotti’s group plays with is impressive. Going to be an exciting season at Skyline… DOG FIGHTS: Mesa (Jan. 7), @Mesa (Jan. 28)

TEAMS TO WATCH (BY CONFERENCE):

MOUTAIN POINTE PRIDE (6A) -Young and under a new regime but junior guard Jason Kimbrough is a gamer and Miles Sulka is a marksmen. Freshman guard Mark Brown is one to watch for!

CHAPARRAL FIREBIRDS (6A) -a team that stays in games and has a game changer inside with sophomore center Adrame Diongue to go with some guys that can really shoot it.

VALLEY VISTA MONSOON (6A) -Another very young team but they play very hard and have some guards that can make some things happen with the ball in their hands.

BASHA BEARS (6A) -A young team with a multitude of shooters and one of the better freshman in the state in wing/forward Landon Schumaker.

HAMILTON HUSKIES (6A) -Very well-disciplined and structured team that won’t beat themselves. Sophomore forward Aaron Foote can do some things!

APOLLO HAWKS (6A) -A team that could easily end up in the top 10 of this list. Sophomore guard Ahamed Mohammed is one of the top point guards in that class and is really turning a corner to cement himself as such. Junior guard Paris Woods has looked great as of late and senior wing Zeke Thompkins is primed for a big season this year.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN JAGUARS (5A) -Young team that is well-coached and plays hard. Has some young talent that seem ready to hit the next stage. Guards are impressive with junior Zay Freeney and sophomore LJ Ginnis. Sophomore power forward Demarion Pouncil has looked impressive as of late.

DESERT MOUNTAIN WOLVES (5A) -A team that makes very little mistakes and makes you play at their pace. Sophomore forward Connor Barrett will be an interesting match-up for most opponents.

SUNRISE MOUNTAIN MUSTANGS (5A) -Another team that can flat out shoot it with some size in the starting five with guys like junior wing Colin Carey and senior forward Tanner Mayer.

ARCADIA TITANS (4A) -Junior wing Max Majerle is back and better looking like a true game changer for Aradia and Owen Shaw is going to be a heavy impact in 4A this season.

BUCKEYE HAWKS (4A) -Coming into the season very young but can never count out a team with senior guard Tay Boothman on it. Freshman Matthew Henry-Harrison looks ready for the level and look for a breakout season out of sophomore guard Jayson Redhouse.

ST. MARY’S KNIGHTS (4A) -Very young but super talented. Will not be surprised if they find their way into the top 10 of this list by seasons end. Very deep squad and sophomores Orlando Gonzales, Bear Cherry and Garrison Phelps are looking to hit a corner this year.

SHADOW MOUNTAIN MATADORS (4A) -Brand new regime and a new-look with an old face leaving the way in senior wing Shemar Morrow. The new guard they have in Ori Keedem will be a game changer for them. Junior wing Elijah Cole could be a factor if he can put it all together.

ALA-QUEEN CREEK (3A) -Watch out for these guys as they possess one of the better 1-2 punches in front court duo Dyson Lighthall and Devon Brooks.

VALLEY CHRISTIAN (3A) -Another 3A team with a great duo in senior guard Jackson Risi ready to light everyone up from deep and wing Logan Phillips ready to dominate the conference.

RANCHO SOLANO PREP MUSTANGS (2A) -Very new-look team for Head Coach Aaron Trigg but he brings back a few really nice pieces in junior guard Tyson Legner, 6-foot-5 sophomore wing Michael Dienes and UC-Irvine-commit, 6’9” senior big man Hunter Ruck