Basketball in the state of Arizona has gotten much better these days with so many more kids playing the game much younger and at a high level. This spring proved just how good Arizona prospects are, as the Powerhouse Hoops 15U team, led by loads of talented young prospects, including possibly the top freshman in the West, Salpointe Catholic High School's 6-foot-5 ultra-high wired freshman prospect Majok Deng.
This team is now considered the top 15U team in the West, after a spring performance that dominated their competition. Powerhouse won most of their games by large amounts of double digit points, and finished the spring with an impressive 27-1 record.
"I really wanted them to get some more competition, but we know there are some great teams out there," said terrific head coach Corey Boswell.
Boswell institutes an offensive style that pushes the basketball at every opportunity and to the open man on the floor. His team defense is tenacious and his players are very quick and aggressive. The team is also loaded with superb and young athletic talent from the classes of 2019 and 2020.
Deng is the catalyst and he had a coming out party, big-time this spring. Deng is fresh off leading his group to a 4-0 tournament record in the Southern California Hoop Review and also a tournament championship at the West Coast Elite Spring Classic last weekend in Las Vegas. In both events, Deng showcased his unique skillset, which allows him to play both ends of the floor at a consistent high level of intensity. Unlike anything I have ever seen from such a young prospect, Deng had college coaches, scouts and media in attendance gasping at his tremendous level of offensive and defensive prowess. Deng emerged last weekend as potentially the top frosh prospect in the West for 2019.
The team is also led by superb 5-foot-11 eigth grader Evan Nelson. Nelson is a big-time guard prospect with a superior handle of the basketball and an ability to break down defenders at will. He has excellent quickness with the basketball in his hands, and he is also a very deadly shooter with unlimited range on his shot. Nelson is also a flat-out leader with the basketball, and he only a mere eigth grader.
Gilbert Christian HS 6-foot-2 freshman guard Vean Simon is another talented guard prospect that makes this team go. Simon's ability to slash offensively and finish strogn at the rim, while also being able to make plays for others at a high rate. Simon pushes the basketball up the floor hard and always takes an agressive approach to the game.
Mesa Mountain View HS 6-foot-3 freshman guard Zach Lyons is a pure shooter of the basketball and is among the top shooters in the state. Lyons came off an injury this spring and returned to form nicely - giving his team the boost it needed to play up to their normal level
Rounding out this talented group are 6-foot-1 freshman guard Adrian Chandler, 6-foot-5 eigth grader Nathan Dunn, 5-foot-10 freshman guard Tyler Pugh, 6-foot-1 freshman guard Jackson Ruai and 6-foot-5 eigth grader Evan Skeoch.
This team has made significant noise this spring for the state of Arizona and has proven that Arizona basketball is very much so on the rise.
