The Gilbert Tigers (9-2) hosted the Red Mountain Mountain Lions (9-3) in what was a great matchup. Gilbert was without their dominant post presence inside, 6-foot-8 sophomore Truman Moore, which presented them with a big challenge in this game. In his absence, 6-foot-3 junior forward Eric Mosely started for Gilbert. The game opened up with a floater from 6-foot-4 senior guard Travis Meeker (Northern Arizona commit) to give Red Mountain a quick lead. In a very slow, methodical game, Gilbert suffered from the absence of Moore, as their offense, which is based around his post presence, seemed out of sync. The game was back and…
Author: azpreps
This matchup between the Pinnacle and Chaparral girls was bound to be a fast-paced game. From the opening tip, that is exactly what it was as both teams came out shooting and hitting. Skilled 6-foot-1 senior guard Sydney Wiese (Oregon State signee) for Pinnacle hit two threes in the first three minutes to set the tone. In a back and forth game, Wiese came out aggressive – scoring 13 big points in the quarter. On the Chaparral side, 5-foot-3 senior guard Sabrina Benros had two threes to keep them in the game. However, an 8-1 run with one and a half minutes…
On Thursday, December 13th I went to see the Pinnacle Pioneers versus the Chaparral Firebirds at the beautiful stadium of Chaparral HS. I was expecting fireworks from these two very good teams with as many as 5 players that may play Division-I basketball in the future. The game started off fast from the tip and Chaparral would pound it down low with 6-foot-8 senior post Joe Boyd (Drake University signee) catching a beautiful pass from 5-foot-10 sophomore PG Brandon Hoffer. A few plays later, a huge fast break dunk by 6-foot-7 senior power forward Erik Conklin to tie the game at 7-7. The match-ups in this game were fun to watch as…
On December 10th I went to see the Mountainside Middle School Mountain Lions versus the Cocopah Middle School Mustangs. Former star pro-athletes Luis Gonzalez and Kurt Warner were in the house supporting their opposing teams. The game started fast as 5 quick points by 6-foot-3 forward Austin Nuessie for Mountainside MS, and then 7 points in a row with a deep 3-ball by 5-foot-8 point guard Colten Kresl for Cocopah to take a 10-5 early lead. Colten Kresl has the ability to keep his handle alive in the hardest moments and pass with either hand. Nuessie would come back and score two more buckets – cutting it to 14…
Casey Benson is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound junior PG who attends Corona Del Sol High School. In my opinion, Casey is the best PG in the state – regardless of class. The lefty has a very high skill level, where he can shoot it from deep consistently and also put it on the floor and blow by his man. He has an uncanny ability to keep his dribble alive in pressure situations. He always is looking up to find the open man on the floor, or surveying the scene to score a basket. He facilitates when he needs to or when it…
Payton Dastrup is a 6-foot-10, 225-pound junior post who attends Mesa Mountain View High School. In my opinion, Payton is the best big man in Arizona, regardless of class. He has the skill level of a true post player with a left or right hand hook inside the paint, but what separates himself with other big men, is his shooting touch out to the 3-point stripe. He also is an excellent passer out of the double-team and an amazing rebounder. He still has potential left; only being a junior. Dastrup will play at a high-major division-I program and will improve each year. When college is over,…
This matchup between Corona and Dobson (7-2) attracted college coaches and scouts from all over. With elite players all over the floor, it was expected to be a good one. The game opened fast-paced and high speed. Corona Del Sol (7-1) came out in a man-to-man defense and were switching on all screens to keep the shooters covered. Because of Dobson’s lack of size, everybody on Corona could matchup with all of Dobson’s players size wise. Both teams matched each other early, going back forth, as Corona’s 6-foot-2 junior guard Casey Benson of Corona and Dobson’s 6-foot-5 senior guard Jaron…
Thursday, December 6th I went to see the Paradise Valley Trojans versus the Shadow Mountain Matadors. It was a great atmosphere as former NBA players Mark West, Mike Bibby and Eddie House each supported their family members – plus Channel 3 sports was covering the game. Paradise Valley got off to a quick 9 to 1 start as 6-6 senior SG Paul Watson (Fresno State signee) had 4 early points. Shadow Mountain’s 6-foot-2 senior SG Keegan Hansen made an “and-1” to cut it to 9 to 4. Then a few baskets were exchanged for a 12 to 9 PV lead at the end of the 1st…
On Tuesday, December 4th I went to watch the Desert Mountain Wolves versus the Mesa Mountain View Toros. Both teams were ranked in the top 10 in preseason. Desert Mountain’s 6-foot-6 junior post Mark Andrews was rewarded the job of starting on Mountain View’s star 6-foot-10 junior post Payton Dastrup, and Payton immediately scored a tip-in for a quick 2-0 lead. Desert Mountain would then score 15-straight points for an impressive 15-2 lead with 2 minutes left in the quarter. Finally Mountain View starting hitting some shots – cutting it to a 17 to 9 first quarter lead for DM. In the second period, Payton Dastrup…
Richaud Gittens is a 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior SG who attends Marcos de Niza HS and committed to Weber State University this fall. In my opinion, Richaud is one of the best seniors in the state overall. He is an elite athlete with a smooth lefty jumper out to the 3-point stripe. He also has a mature body and is very good at anticipating passes and picking up steals. He still has room to grow in his overall game for the future. The scary thing is, Richaud is also one of the youngest seniors in the state – still only a mere 16…