With several different teams leading the charge for this year's Open Division State Championship, Boulder Creek High School (11-4) is one program to watch closely for the remainder of the high school basketball season, as this team is very talented and can match-up with anyone. Winners of (4) out of their last (5) games on the season, and with each of their losses this season coming by a narrow margin, this team is poised and ready to make a big playoff run late in the season. Here is why I believe that this Boulder Creek team will have an excellent remainder and conclusion to the season.
The Boulder Creek program continues to soar and rise behind the strong leadership of Head Coach Justin Collard and his coaching staff. Collard and his staff have put in the time considerably with their program to develop their players, on and off the court, while looking for any opportunity to help their program prepare for this season. The Boulder Creek team worked hard together in the off-season with highly acclaimed explosive athlete trainer Sid Sharma as a team, and players also worked individually with legendary basketball trainer, Padraig O'brien. Players worked very hard in the off-season in preparation for this season. This team is tough, hard working and focused, and this starts with their leadership.
As a result, Boulder Creek has been in every game this season, and has faired strong amidst a very difficult season schedule. Boulder Creek has big wins this season on the road over Maryvale (69-54), on the road @ Brophy Prep (72-65 OT), on the road @ Casteel (77-63), over Modesto Christian (CA), Liberty (NV), Mohave (NV), Santa Margarita (CA), Higley HS and Valor Christian (CO) - an impressive fact. Boulder Creek's (4) losses on the season all came in very narrow fashion, and were against top-rated competition; a 5-point loss on the road @ Sunnyslope, a 6-point loss on the road @ Desert Vista and a recent one-point loss at the hands of Open Division State Champion Runner-up Millennium (65-64).
This Boulder Creek HS team is serious and will have an excellent finish to the season, and they have the schedule for the remainder of the season to support it. This team will compete for this year's Open Division State Championship.
6-foot-8 senior Andrew Bhesania is the catalyst for this team, as he can match up with any of the state's bigs inside and is a serious mis-match for bigger post players on the perimeter - a nice asset for thsi team. As a college prospect, Bhesania has good size and length on his frame, and he has added some size to his once thin frame over the past couple years. He has a nice overall feel for the game and a good overall skillset, especially for his size. He is fundamentally sound, and is a good shooter with range. He is also able to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot from mid-range. He is a good driver of the ball and a solid finisher that will become a much stronger finisher over time, as he continues to mature physically and gets even stronger. He is also an active rebounder that rebounds outside of his area. He still has serious upside for the future, and is an excellent sleeper prospect for the 2025 Class in the West.
Bhesania had a big junior season for himself, where he was very consistent all season in his play and proved why he is considered among our top overall prospects in Arizona's 2025 Class. Bhesania averaged nice numbers last season - posting 19.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per/game. Behasania's numbers this season are very strong again, as he is averaging 18 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3 blocks per/game. He was also recently selected as the MVP of the Nike Tournament of Champions event held in Phoenix. Bhesania has become one of the state's premier talents and is one of the top overall uncommitted prospects in the West for the 2025 Class.
Boulder Creek has a very deep and well balanced offensive attack, and there are many different players making an impact this season for this team, which has numerous seniors on their roster. Talented 6-foot-6 junior Matt Delgado is having an excellent season this year for Boulder Creek - posting excellent numbers as well, 17.5 points and 5 rebounds per/game.
6-foot-3 sophomore guard Mick Riordan is a big-time shooter and among the best 2027 prospects in the state. In his second season, after posting strong numbers as a freshman, Riordan is currently averaging 15.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3 assists per/game this season, and had an excellent performance in the recent Nike Tournament of Champions, as Riordan helped lead the team to a tournament victory and was selected as a member of the All-Tournament Team. Riordan scored 21 points in the championship game, and is also the grandson of a former NBA player, Mike Riordan, who played for the Bullets and Knicks and won an NBA championship. Riordan is on the rise in the state, and is one of the top guard prospects in Arizona's 2027 Class.
This year's Boulder Creek team is currently on fire, and has (4) different players averaging well into double-figures this season, with several others close by and contributing at a high level. This season is Coach Collard's best opportunity to win it all, and his team and staff and definitely put in the work to do so. I look forward to seeing how they finish the season.
Boulder Creek will host a well-coached Apollo High School team on Tuesday (1/14) evening, and then will host top-rated Sandra Day O'Connor HS on Friday (1/17).