Arizona Magic Announces New Partnerships and New Direction PRESS RELEASE: January 20, 2013 PHOENIX ARIZONA: The Arizona Magic basketball club (www.arizonamagic.org) has been the top high school basketball Club program in Arizona producing (4) NBA players and over (225) college scholarships for their players since 1998. The Arizona Magic has formed three new partnerships this winter, as they embark on their 15th club season and developed a new growth model for the youths of Arizona to take advantage of immediately. Double Pump (www.doublepump.com) once again will sponsor the program’s top teams with gear (announcing a new Under Armor deal soon) and entry…
Author: azpreps
An exciting matchup between the Dobson Mustangs (14-8) and the Gilbert Tigers (16-5) set the stage for a great game on Dobson’s home floor on Friday evening. With both teams showcasing division-I talent, it was anticipated to be a high scoring affair. As the game started, 6-foot-5 senior guard Jaron Hopkins (University of Colorado signee) entered the gym – expected to be out with an illness. The game was back and forth at the start. As both teams played more of a half-court set to begin the game, maybe it would change with Hopkins checking in at the five-minute mark. However, the game remained…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The MLK Basketball Classic Committee is pleased to announce the line-up of games for the annual MLK Basketball Classics scheduled Saturday, January 19 & Monday, January 21 in Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, and Tucson. “Speaking on behalf of the committee, we’re excited for the schedule of games this year as the MLK Basketball Classic continues to progress with competitive games involving solid programs.” said Co-Director and Mesa Public School District Athletic Director Dr. Steve Hogen. “With the ASU site hosting high school games for the 10th consecutive year, our event is now a mainstay on the high…
On Wednesday, January 16th we had the Mountain Pointe (MP) Pride (9-8) visiting the McClintock Chargers (6-16). Two very interesting teams with potential, but just haven’t consistently put it together just yet. The return of 6-foot-6 junior PF Chris Davis and 6-foot-3 junior SG Jalen Brown had Mountain Pointe liking their chances the rest of the season, while the emergence of two McClintock freshmen have helped the Chargers in many games this year. Mountain Pointe 6-foot-3 junior forward Emmanuel Butler started it off with an offensive rebound/lay-up for a 2 to 0 lead for MP. Then 5-foot-9 junior PG Malik Sanders scored on a driving lay-up…
This week, Marcos de Niza (14-4) hosted Corona del Sol (17-2). Both teams were coming in red-hot, with Marcos having won 10 of their last 11 games, and Corona having won 14 of their last 15 games. The electricity in the house was crazy. This huge rival game had all of the Corona students in the stands at the Marcos gym. The principal for Marcos was handing out “terrible towels” to all the Padres’ fans. The anticipation of #2 Corona versus #6 Marcos was tremendous. You also had my two personal favorite guards in the state going against each other – 6-foot-3 junior PG Casey Benson of Corona against 6-foot-4 senior SG Richaud…
The Scottsdale Preparatory Academy Spartans hosted the Salt River Eagles in this matchup. Scottsdale Prep came in with an 11-4 record while Salt River held a 15-4 record coming into this game. Scottsdale Prep would be without talented 6-foot-2 sophomore Nick Smith for the game. The game would start out competitive, as both team would go back-and-forth – resulting in a 14-10 Spartan lead after one quarter. However, the second quarter would bring a Salt River run, which gave them a small lead throughout the quarter. Scottsdale Prep called a timeout at the three minute mark, down 24-20. The timeout gave the Spartans…
On Wednesday, January 9th I watched the Desert Vista Thunder (9-10), who had lost 4 in a row and were desperate for a win, versus Marcos de Niza (13-3) who have won 4 in a row and were feeling really good about their playoff chances come February. Desert Vista’s 6-foot-3 senior SG Avery Brunson, who had transferred from Marcos De Niza during the summer, got things going with a 3-pointer for a 3 to 0 lead early. Then 6-foot-4 senior SG/SF Richaud Gittens (Weber State signee) would hit a lay-up for a 3-2 DV lead. Two free-throws were then made by 6-foot-3 senior SG Kyle Pittman to take a 5…
On Tuesday, January 8th the #1 Mesa Jackrabbits (14-3) took on the #2 Desert Mountain Wolves (DM) (13-2). Two very balanced teams came into the game with Mesa having five players averaging more than 8 + points per/game, and DM having six different players averaging more than 7 + points per/game. The game started off real slow, as both teams might have been a tad nervous for the “big game.” Almost every player on both teams had attempted a shot and missed, until 5-foot-10 junior PG Rolando Rhymes made a 15-foot jumper for a 3 to 2 Mesa lead. A quick steal by 5-foot-8 senior guard Zach Bullock…
Zylan Cheatham is a 6-foot-8, 205-pound junior SF who attends Westwind Prep Academy. Zylan has all the physical tools to play at the next level or maybe even the NBA. He is one of those rare, true point-forwards who can handle the ball and facilitate with the best guards in the state. His speed, athleticism (won the ARIZONAPREPS DUNK CONTEST) and defensive prowess make him one of the most unique and sought after prospects in the state, as Cheatham probably has the most upside for the future of anyone in the state. Once his skill level catches up to his athleticism, the…
On Friday, January 4th the Basha Bears (6-10) took on the Highland Hawks (12-4). It was a tale of two teams going in two different directions, as Basha HS had lost 6 of their last 7 games, while Highland has won 9 in a row – including a big holiday tournament championship at the McClintock Holiday Shootout last week. Both teams boasted star players who will play at the Division-I level in college. Basha has 6-foot-9 senior center Maurice Kirby (Virginia Tech signee) and Highland HS has 6-foot-5 junior wing prospect Jake Toolson, who has multiple division-I offers currently. The game started with Toolson on Kirby – a huge…