As we now prepare for another exciting season of high school basketball in the state of Arizona, let's take a look at some of the top teams and players to watch for this high school season. The top overall team in the state, regardless of class or division, is again Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona. Last season, Perry held the same distinction heading into the high school season, but after putting it all together last season and winning the 6A State Championship, Perry returns this season on another level. Perry returns with two promising future McDonald's All-American candidates, for the first time in Arizona history, and is receiving rave national attention as a result.
Never before has an Arizona high school basketball program had two different McDonald's All-American candidates on one team. Let me explain. While there have been teams with multiple candidates for the opportunity, Perry currently has two different prospects are certain to receive the amazing national honor, as 6-foot-8 senior guard Cody Williams and 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Koa Peat are both currently Top 20 national prospects that look to be currently guaranteed for the annual game.
Cody Williams is coming off an excellent spring and summer where he saw his national ranking rise considerably among national scouts and media, and returns as a senior ranked among the Top 25 national prospects in every ranking service around the country for the 2023 Class. Williams earned the opportunity through his play and development as a player and prospect. He will certainly be up for the honor as a senior and should receive the announcement during the season. While the nominees have already been announced nationally, the final rosters for the 2023 McDonald's All-American game will be announced in January (2023). Williams looks to be a lock for the West roster.
Koa Peat is a sure-fire McDonald's All-American candidate and will certainly earn the honor when his time comes, as he is regarded nationally among the Top 10 prospects in America's 2025 Class. While he is actually considered the best prospect in the class by some services, and is well deserving of that distinction as well, regardless, he is a future pro-level talent that will definitely receive the McDonald's All-American honor when the time arrives. Scary to believe he still has three more years of high school remaining for himself. Peat is an absolute beast and will have a huge season for himself, after dominating his competition as a mere freshman.
Perry has a very talented roster to go with these two amazing prospects as well, as 6-foot-4 senior guard Ben Egbo returns for his senior season, after a junior season where he provided excellent defense for the team, strong finishing ability and some good shooting from the perimeter. Egbo has bought into his role for this team, and returns with much more valuable experience from playing on the EYBL Nike circuit. He will have a strong senior season as well, which will be important in raising his level of college recruitment, and also helping this team reach their goals this season.
6-foot-4 sophomore guard/forward D'Andre Harrison is a big-time young talent as well, and he proved it this fall among the top prospects in his class in the West @ the Pangos All-West Frosh/Soph Camp, where he earned Top 25 honors from the event. Harrison will have a strong sophomore season for this team as well, and he adds considerable depth for this loaded ball club. Harrison will provide excellent scoring support, rebounding and guard play that will be needed to help support Head Coach Sam Duane Jr.'s program. Harrison will have a breakout season this year.
The addition of 6-foot-2 junior guard Adonis LaFleur to this year's lineup will be very big for the Perry program as well. LaFleur was the starting point guard for Cesar Chavez last season as a sophomore, and is also ready for a breakout season for himself, now as an upperclassman. LaFleur is a strong ball handler, passer and defender, and is a pass-first point guard. He will provide excellent depth in the backcourt for this team and allow for Williams to play off the ball much more. 5-foot-11 senior guard Barron Silsby is also a very tough guard prospect that will also provide excellent depth in the backcourt for Perry, as well as experience and toughness.
Perry will have a loaded schedule this season of course, and will open up with a pre-season tournament in November. Their first regular season game against a very talented Liberty High School team on 11/29 will be an excellent match-up for them and an exciting contest. While no team is guaranteed victories, Perry will receive every team's best and strongest effort this season - all season long and in every match-up. They will need to compete hard and together to win it all again in 2023, but they definitely have the most talented lineup that terrific Head Coach Sam Duane Jr. has had since his state-champion Corona Del Sol ballclub in 2015, which featured Saben Lee (Detroit Pistons-NBA), Alex Barcello (BYU), Dane Kuiper (New Mexico) and Marvin Bagley (Detroit Pistons-NBA). That team finished 33-1 on the season.
