Colorado. Huge.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

Coronado High School girls basketball has a 70 game losing streak... they were moved up a division in the initial placements last week... Horizon Honors High School (enrollment around 400) decided to field a boys volleyball team last year... they actually won a couple of games... they were placed in Division I for the next three-year block.

After this recent AIA mess, and with rumors swirling for years - will SoAZ finally take a close look at creating their own high school sports association and leave the AIA?

Sounds like the PUHSD is looking hard at it, and the REZ teams have been considering it for years.

On the home page.

I think they are being posted on the AIA site now.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

Some pretty good games lined up tonight.

Cienega @ Sahuaro - ooga dooga

Game Schedule - Thursday, Jan. 22

On the home page.

Benson putting in some great minutes up in Oregon this season.

The myth that AZ doesn't produce much high D1 talent is dead.



Ducks beat Trojans - another local frosh

Last night AZ HS players had a great night in the Pac12.

Sun Devils crush Cal - more locals (AP)

Watched this game last night and it was pure joy watching Pickens and Humphrey play such a key roll for Stanford.

The game was marred by horrible officiating, but it was a doozie until late in the second half when the Wildcats took control. During this time-frame Korcheck-ed in and went into beast mode for the Cats. Three locals on the court - two of them were frosh.

Never gets old listening to Bill Walton. With as many brain cells as he's burnt he's still got it.

Why is there no school named Phoenix High, or a rebirth of my personal favorite - Scottsdale High?

There's:

Chandler High
Tempe High
Mesa High
Gilbert High
Higley High
Peoria High
Glendale High
Tucson High
Yuma High
Buckeye High
Mayvale High
...every small town High, and so on...

Nancy wants to know too.


why why why

My Division 1 top 9. Wait, i mean 7.

This is just based on the teams that I have seen this year.

I know just as well as anyone that teams don't show up every day, and bad games happen. I may have seen some on a good day or a bad day.
1. Corona del Sol - I think any comments about players from this team would be a bit redundant. I pick them to win, but who can't wait for 1/27 when they see Desert Vista?
2. n/a

3. n/a

And then their is the rest...


4. Desert Vista - Brandon Clarke was consistent on offense and defense around the basket in the games I saw him. He is without a doubt a top 5 player/prospect in his class. Quincy Taylor is arguably the most explosive and high flying athlete I have seen this year, and he has shown a broad range of skills without forcing it and making poor decisions. They also have stability in soph Caleb Simmons and senior guard David Powell.


5. Chaparral - (Beat Gilbert and Perry but lost to Pinnacle) They are disciplined and play with teamwork, and have leadership from senior wing Kenzo Nudo and senior pg Brandon Hoffer, and support from sophomore guard Colten Kresl, and rebounding/steady scoring from their big men.

6. Pinnacle - (Beat Gilbert and Chaparral but lost to Central) Deep in talent and size. Heights include 6-8, 6-8, 6-6, 6-6, 6-6, 6-4… Their roster only shows 1 player under 6-foot, and even if you don't always buy the max-preps heights they easily look like one of the biggest teams around. They also have athleticism and skilled players at each position. I personally find junior Randy Bronnor an interesting prospect.

7. Central - (Beat Pinnacle but lost to Gilbert) - Very athletic and unselfish. They play at full speed all game and take advantage of other team's mistakes. They also have a top prospect in Famoun Miller who can defend multiple positions and play multiple roles very effectively on offense.

8. Gilbert - (Lost to Chaparral and Pinnacle, but beat Central) - Very balanced. They have a PG in Nick Agostino, a long bodied wing in Chris Bowling, and a post man in Truman Moore. They are also another pretty disciplined team.


9. Perry - Can't underestimate Markus Howard who is inside the top 30 national scorers per game as a soph. I just think this team is reliant on him, but there is no doubting they can win behind him. And seniors Coby de Laveaga and Kyle Van Haren certainly provide some reliable support.





This post was edited on 1/22 4:23 AM by ArizonaVarsity

Division 1 Power Rankings as of 1/21

This was closer than expected, but Gilbert pulled it out last night.

The social media trash talking between students of these two schools last night was nothing short of epic. Some good old fashion fun in a major rivalry.

Kenny stated is was the best rivalry in the state - it's a doozie, but there are others than rank up there too.

Brophy vs. St. Mary's - Mesa vs. Mountain View - Desert Vista vs. Mountain Pointe - VC vs. SCA - and so on...

Is there pressure on Coach Duane to continue to win, and even more so, stack up chips with all this talent? This can become a doubled-edged sword. He's one calm doo, so maybe he's up for the unusual challenge. He's very likable also - which makes it hard for even the average fan to root against him.

Is his legendary father now following in his footsteps?!?

Will they rename the crib Sammy Duane and Junior's Gym?!?

Will they tear down that crappy gym and build a new one with all this fame?

Will they change those horrible yellow and orange unis to something new age? Hello Nike.

Will Momma Kuiper ever buy me a cup of Joe?

So many Aztec questions to be answered.

Basically wiping out PE, passing out 140 pick slips today for specials teachers.

The people in the Dysart school district can't complain when their kids go downhill since they didn't approve the funds to keep these classes going.

Shameful.

Doo has been lights out. I believe hes' been POW a few times also.

Holloway tearing it up at MCC

https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1727569 (Recap)
https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1727690 (Analysis)

Growing Pains:

Tonight, we , Casa Grande vs Tucson HS, lost 68-66, @ the "U", after trailing by 12 points in the 3rd quarter., High scorer for Tucson, Travalle Hill, 27 points, Deandre Williams hit the winning field goal at 1.2 seconds left in the 4th quarter.

High Scorers for Casa Grande,
My
Jose Olivares, 34 points followed by Gresyn Rogers, 19 points I hope that AZ Varsity can recognize these "outstanding juniors, including Jamil Davis, our leading rebounder.

My Casa Grande Cougars took the loss extremely hard; after the game, every player was upset. I simply told my players: " I am proud of your work ethic and our season. This is our journey to become better as a team, including myself as your 1st year Head Boys Basketball Coach. We started in August ,2014, without a summer league, just open gym.

We played in the East Valley Fall League, with the majority of our team playing football. We had two new move in players, Gresyn Rogers, from Mesa Mt. View, Junior and Jacob Persoon, Junior from Visa Grande ( Casa Grande). The remaining starter, Jamil Davis, Junior and Junior Point Guard, Ty "Boogie" McKinight.. I believe in these "Cougars" 1

I like to take the opportunity to say that I`m also proud of the Tucson Magnet High School student-athletes. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to coach them last year ( 2013-2014). I hope that they will have a very successful season.

I am looking forward to the remainder of our season. We, the players, the coaching staff, our AD Randy Robbins and our parents have made a program commitment to work out together, play together and we are excited to train under AZ Power Basketball with John Ortega, Sundance during the off season. We keep in mind, "In The Doing, Comes The Understanding" as we continue our journey to develop a "first class basketball program" to the "U"!

Kevin J. Pollins, aka Coach "P" @ the "U' !

Remember to leave one out... deadline is Tues Jan 20 by 4pm

WEEK 9

1/20

Deer Valley @ Apollo
Mesa @ Brophy
Westview @ Millennium
SDO @ Mountain Ridge
Paradise Valley @ Arcadia
Flagstaff @ Dysart
Campo Verde @ Marcos de Niza

1/21

Buena @ Sunnyside

1/22

Horizon @ Dobson
Cienega @ Sahuaro
Cactus Shadows @ South

1/23

McClintock @ Desert Ridge
Mt Pointe @ Hamilton
Valley Vista @ Liberty
Red Mountain @ Perry
Ironwood Ridge @ Cholla



This post was edited on 1/18 4:36 PM by ishoot3s

Updated a few minutes ago.

Sectionals seem to get in a team or two ranked well below 24 into State due to a weak section.

Teams on both side of the 24 spot are as good as in the playoffs right now.

UPDATED Power Rankings - Bubble Boys