The West Valley has been exploding with growth, as residents continue to move in – driving for new homes to be built creating new subdivisions and neighborhoods. Out in Surprise, Arizona, there is a program that has been making noise over the last few seasons, the Wildcats of Willow Canyon. They are at the brink of being one of the top programs in the 5A Division. I was lucky to sit down with their Head Coach Joe Colletti, and we were able to talk about the great things going on at Willow Canyon. Here is our conversation: Q: How long…
Author: George Courtney
The 18th Annual Fear the Hop Boys Basketball Tournament will take place November 22 – 27, 2021 and will be hosted by Mesa High School. The Fear the Hop is one of the state’s best basketball tournaments, drawing in some of the top AIA schools annually. This year’s field has (16) teams, which include Mesa, Boulder Creek, Hamilton, Mesquite, Westwood, McClintock, Buena, Shadow Mountain, Washington, Desert Mountain, Campo Verde, Agua Fria, Westview, Raymond Kellis, Apache Junction and Dysart High School. The Arizona Preps’ staff is pleased to be covering this event, as it contains some of the state’s top AIA…
The Best in the West Fall League is one of Arizona’s best kept secrets. Willow Canyon’s Head Coach Joe Colletti and Desert Edge’s Andra Rogers have been running this league for (5) years. The demand for the league has been so high that there are three gym sites hosting this year’s league – Desert Edge, Willow Canyon and Sandra Day O’Connor High Schools. Week one had some intriguing match-ups, as this league has many Region and State Runner-Ups and State Champions competing this fall. Here is a look at some of the top performers from Week 1’s Willow Canyon site,…
Not many people know that Arizona Preps operates under the Arizona Magic Youth Outreach Foundation. The Arizona Magic Youth Outreach Foundation is a 501(c3) non-profit organization whose ultimate goal is to give all kids a shot at being successful in life. I am a former high school coach in the Central Arizona area, and every year I coached at a high school I have always run into kids who did not have the resources to afford a pair of sneakers to play in. In those years of coaching, I have purchased sneakers with my own money. I have always thought…
The Best in the West Fall League hosted by Willow Canyon, Desert Edge and Sandra Day O’Connor High Schools kicks off the Arizona Preps Fall Exposure Circuit. The Arizona Preps’ Staff will look to uncover, evaluate and promote Arizona’s best basketball talent in this league. This Fall League, organized by Willow Canyon Head Coach Joe Colletti, has been in operation for the last 5 years and has been led by Colletti. Over the last few years, the league has become very strong through attracting local Region and State Champions. This year’s field seems extremely loaded with top programs, such as…
Arizona Preps is continuing to create opportunities to help student-athletes get to the next level. As our organization grows, we continue to find new ways to provide opportunities. We are excited to launch our Arizona Preps Skills Academy, which begins on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at NFL Yet Academy in Phoenix, AZ and on Sunday, August 29, 2021 at Champion Schools in San Tan Valley, AZ. This Academy is designed to provide fundamental skills training a group setting, led by our training staff. The Fall Academy will run for (7) consecutive weeks, then break for (2) weeks, before relaunching in…
Standing at 6-foot-1, Casa Grande Union’s senior post Aliyah Robbins will be a force to be reckoned with in the 5A Division this up-coming season. Last season, she helped her team improve their overall win-loss record by averaging 12 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.5 steals and 1 block per/game. I was able to see Robbins perform at our 1st Annual Beat the Heat Team Showcase in Prescott Valley, AZ in June. She led her team in scoring and rebounds (double-double), and helped her team to a 4-0 record in the event. Robbins has excellent size and athleticism for the…
The staff at Arizona Preps has grown tremendously over the past year and a half. Despite the tremendous growth, the mission stays the same in discovering Arizona’s best basketball prospects. This past summer kicked off the Arizona Preps Summer Exposure Circuit with events every weekend in the month of June. The staff at Arizona Preps organized two high-quality girls’ events in the Summer Clash and the Beat the Heat Team Showcase. The 1st Annual Summer Clash drew in some of the top high school girls’ basketball programs. The Summer Clash took place in Prescott Valley, which attracted teams from all…
Coming off of a 4A State Runner-Up Finish, the Lady Lancers of Salpointe Catholic are looking to bounce back and contend for the 2021-2022 4A State Championship. The Lady Lancers are going to rely on the leadership of 5-foot-8 senior combo-guard Kylee Callahan. Last season Callahan averaged 12.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.6 steals per/game. Callahan is an impact player by changing the game with her defense, athleticism, passing and scoring abilities. She helped lead her team through a strong summer season campaign (record 28-3), and (3) summer tournament championships. She impressed at the Arizona Preps Summer Clash…
West Coast Elite has been running mainstream events with a solid collection of prospects. 4-Year Colleges needing prospects who can make an immediate impact needed to be in attendance, as this year’s WCE Unsigned JUCO Event had some talented difference-makers and talent. Arizona Preps Senior Editor Anthony Ray and Director of Operations George Courtney made the trip to Irvine, CA, to evaluate these prospects. Here are some of the top performers from the event that were seen by George Courtney . . . Dorian Harris – 6-6 Wing JUCO FR Cerritos College – A game-changer who competes at a high…