This season was filled with excitement, despite the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) cancelling, then reinstating the very short season. There were a lot of competitive games played throughout the season, with certain prospects and coaches emerging as front-runners for the Arizona Preps Post-Season Awards. Arizona Preps, along with our partners Zipps Sports Grill, Just4Hoopin and MoBallin are pleased to announce our nominees for the post-season awards.
The Bribiescas Family Award is awarded to the High School Girls Player of the Year. The Bribiescas Family has been a fixture in Girls Hoops and High School Basketball for many years. Monique Bribiescas is a former Division-I athlete who had a storied high school career at Desert Vista High School. She currently owns Mo Ballin Training, which offers skills clinics, club teams, and the Arizona Girls Basketball League. Coach Henry Bribiescas has been coaching for many years. He had stints at Mesa-Mountain View, Desert Vista and currently is the head girls basketball coach at Dobson High School.
The Just4Hoopin Award goes to the High School Boys Player of the Year. Justin Peterson has been a grassroots guru by running events for nearly three decades. Many of the players throughout the state have competed in his events. Justin has served the basketball community in the state by providing opportunities for kids to be active, develop and grow through the many events he offers.
Here are our nominees for both awards, which do not include individual players from prep schools, or the high school programs that compete on the prep school circuit. We will announce separate awards for prep athletes.
Bribiescas Family Award (Girls Player of the Year) Nominees:
Alyssa Brown - Sahuaro High School - Amanda Barcello - Seton Catholic - Naomi Hernandez - Valley Lutheran - Daeja Johnson - Casteel - Marisa Davis - Valley Vista
Just4Hoopin Award (Boys Player of the Year) Nominees:
Oakland Fort - Sunnyslope - Dylan Anderson - Perry - Elijah Saunders - Sunnyslope - Steven Cervantes - Mesa - Will Menaugh - Catalina Foothills - Garrison Phelps - St. Mary’s
Girls Coach of the Year Nominees
Katie Fonseca - Mesa - Karen Self - Seton Catholic - Rachel Matakas - Valley Vista - Vernon Beard - Verrado - Henry Bribiescas - Dobson
Boys Coach of the Year Nominees
Damin Lopez - St. Mary’s - Doug D’Amore - Catalina Foothills - Ray Portela - Sunnyslope - Scott Stansberry - Mesa - Jim Reynolds - Salpointe Catholic - Paul Brown - Tri-City Christian - Jason Fraser - Skyline Prep
Arizona Preps will name our Players and Coaches of the Year this week, and make the announcement on Arizona Preps and social media outlets.