Earlier today the AIA Executive Board motioned for the Huskies football program to be placed on Probation. With this decision the Huskies are now ineligible for the playoffs this season but have a week to appeal their decision to the executive board. I’d like to hear what everyone’s thoughts and opinions on the decision are…

With the Chandler Unified School District Starting classes today I figured I'd ask, how everyone's district was set up growing up?
For instance NYC public schools would finish between June 20 and June 25. Classes resumed the day after labor day. There was no fall break to speak of, maybe a 3 day weekend for Columbus day. Dec 23rd would be the last day of school and resume again January 2nd. There was a week off in February for presidents day observance with no more holidays until memorial day weekend.

As we have all probably heard, the Open and the 6A title game will be aired live this year and at least through 2024. Is their a downside at all? I think this is a great thing. People have been wanting live TV games for a long time. Twitter of course has a variety of opinions. "The big schools get enough coverage. I'm disappointed...the AIA could do better". This is from a freshman coach at a school in Buckeye.

Anyone have any information on the results of this tourney? Final Four?

Via @Jacob.Seliga

Post your HS summer tournaments in this thread...

I’ve tried to figure out the answer but I’m still not sure.
how important are 7s for teams?

Obviously it’s a chance for competition and it is fun and you need that, but it’s so different than actual football.

So, for the scouts and coaches and everyone else, what do the kids really gain from it? Seems like everyone has a different opinion

For those that don’t know, during the HS basketball season I created a list known as the “40 in 40” which was me going around the valley and seeing 40 teams across 40 days in December/January. I exceeded that number and then some and expanded the list to include player rankings, team breakdowns, and playoff predictions. Once the basketball season ended I found myself searching for what to do with baseball, and below is a taste of what I did after the state championship games. I’m total this baseball season I saw 32 different programs between 6A/5A mostly incognito for my own fun. I wanted to be able to go to a game and not look at it from just a media point of view but as someone who’s a fan of the game. As someone who loves the game and enjoys watching it. Below is my top 16 teams in each conference including my semifinal, title game, and champion predictions for each conference as well as players for each team who I think deserve love.
I’ll release 5A tomorrow and update this with the official playoff bracket after the play-in games.

6A
The Contenders
1. Hamilton (17-1)
Gavin Turley at the plate and Logan Saloman on the mound have been the two leaders for a Husky program that has been in national rankings all season long. Arguably the deepest lineup in the state with each hitter 1-9 able to drive the ball deep with good pop and excellent plate vision. A disciplined team fielding who rarely makes errors.

2. Alhambra (19-0)
The team of last season has proven that their run to the title game was no fluke. The Lions have steamrolled everyone in their path scoring an average of 13 runs a game while defeating teams such as Brophy Prep, Mountain Ridge, and Mountain View. This is a lineup that can attack any pitching staff with four batters that finished the regular season with 35 or more RBI’s.
Players to Watch:INF Eddie Cotto, P/INF Marco Pacheco

3. Mountain Ridge (14-4)
Outside of the Covid shortened season of 2020 this is Mountain Ridge’s best team since the 2018 squad that lost to O’Connor in the 6A championship game. The best example of this was a home matchup in March after falling to two out of state opponents at the Boras Classic, Mountain Ridge went toe to toe with Hamilton falling behind 15-1 after two innings before exploding for 13 straight runs just falling short in the end 15-14. This is a team that just fights until the end. For a long time the issue with Ridge was that they could pitch but didn’t have enough quality hitters. Now it seems the roles have reversed and their power could carry them to the first ring in school history behind former MLB pitcher and Ridge alum first year coach Eddie Bonine.

Players to watch: INF Cooper Neville, INF AJ Singer.

4. Sandra Day O’Connor (12-6)
The Eagles in North Phoenix have become accustomed to being near the top of the 6A food chain. Just four years removed from a state championship win, the young Eagles team started the season bumpy falling to Perry and Hamilton before kicking it into high gear and winning 10 straight in the month of March. Outside of sweeps by Mountain Ridge and Chaparral, O’Connor looks poised and is taking the next step as such an inexperienced team who could surprise their way to the semifinals

Players to watch: P/OF Hustyn Wheeler, C/INF Preston Lucas

5. Red Mountain (15-3)
The Mountain Lions after being upset by Alhambra last postseason entered this season with the expectation of making it to the championship game and after game two of the regular season it looked as if that may become a reality. Hamilton was pushed to the brink by Red Mountain before pulling away 5-4 in extra innings. But after that game, the Mountain Lions struggled with playoff caliber teams. They split a series with Mountain View, lost to O’Connor as well as Tucson and Mountain Ridge in tournament play. But their pitching staff does have what it takes to keep them in these types of games and will be key if the Mountain Lions are to go far this postseason.

Players to watch: P Mason Kelley, INF Mitch Namie

6. Chaparral (11-7)
After a 3-3 start where it felt as if the Firebirds could gain no momentum, Chaparral entered region play with a chip on its shoulder that it would not let go. The Firebirds swept Liberty, Boulder Creek, and O’Connor and knocked off Mountain Ridge near the end of the regular season. Chaparral is the biggest wild card of the teams in the top eight. On one side you have the Firebird team that struggled mostly against top competition and against lowly teams such as Arcadia who finished near the bottom in 5A. On the other side you have the Firebird team that finished the season rolling behind its talented offense that had six games this season with 14 or more runs. Whichever Chaparral team shows up will determine just how deep the Firebirds can go.

Players to Watch: OF Jackson Estes, OF Ethan Hott

7. Queen Creek (15-3)
Something is different about this baseball program in the southeast valley. Each season there’s a team that just rolls through the regular season and continues their success in the postseason. Last season it was Alhambra, this season I think it could be Queen Creek. When the Bulldogs play their first playoff game Saturday it’ll be almost a whole month since their last loss, a 4-3 defeat by Perry. This is a team that gets to the plate and is one of the most clutch teams in the 6A conference when it comes to hitting. They have what it takes to hit their way to Tempe Diablo and their young lineup will keep them as a contender for years to come.

Players to watch: OF/P Sebastian Tomerlin, Ryker Waite

8. Chandler (13-5)
The Wolves are one of the most battle tested teams entering the postseason. Their region of Perry, Brophy, Hamilton, and Basha is a full of playoff caliber teams who can make a run and each of those teams prepared the Wolves for this playoff run. With a 4-2 record in one run games, the Wolves have showed that they have the ability to close out teams if the game is close. If the wrong higher seed finds itself in a close game late, Chandler may be able to pounce and force an upset with its late pitching.

Players to watch: OF Tate Scott, P/INF Daniel Hutchison

The Best of the rest
9. Tucson (14-4)
10. Brophy (9-9)
11. Perry (9-9)
12. Basha (9-9)
13. Corona Del Sol (11-7)
14. Desert Vista (9-9)
15. Mountain View (12-6)
16. Liberty (9-10)

Play-in teams
17. San Luis
18. Pinnacle
19. Cibola
20. Sunnyslope
21. Westwood
22. Tolleson
23. Boulder Creek
24. Mountain Pointe

State Semifinals:
1. Hamilton vs 4. O’Connor
2. Alhambra vs 3. Mountain Ridge

Title game 1. Hamilton vs 3. Mountain Ridge

Champ: Mountain Ridge
This is it, this is the year. This Mountain Ridge team is different, after asking different people who covered their 2018 and 2016 teams who made it to the title game they say that this team is on that level. Now they don’t have an MLB prospect like those two teams had (2018 first round pick Matthew Liberatore) but they have an experienced lineup that has been together since the torrid 2020 start where the Mountain Lions only had one loss prior to the season ending. Whether it’s Oregon State commit Carson McEntire, GCU commit Cooper Neville or anyone else in the talented lineup, they have the experience to rally and win. This is the season that they get over the hump and win the first baseball championship in school history while getting revenge over Hamilton in the process.

The playoff dates are finally set

This is my list of my top teams in 4A-6A as we get closer to spring ball/showcase season. These teams are listed in no specific order but have caught my eye as potential noise makers this upcoming season for different reasons (favorable schedule, returning talent, great coaching staff). If there’s a team you think I missed, let me know who below.

4A
Glendale
ALA Gilbert-North
Yuma Catholic
Snowflake
Apache Junction
Lake Havasu
Buckeye
Deer Valley
Ben Franklin
Sierra Linda


5A:
Desert Edge
Sunrise Mountain
Apollo
Millennium
Desert Mountain
Higley
Central
Horizon
Notre Dame Prep
Verrado

6A:
Basha
Chandler
Hamilton
Saguaro
Liberty
Brophy Prep
Red Mountain
Centennial
Mountain Ridge
Highland
Queen Creek

I tweeted this out..

Curious to get some thoughts...

Ja Morant or Anthony Edwards the next 10 years??

Who you got?

It's a week away. What former Arizona High School players will be selected?

Is the portal better for more competition in D1, but in return truly hurting the HS seniors who are lower mid majors (or low majors)?

Curious to get your thoughts...

This kid is going to light up defenses the next two seasons. Big frame and absolute cannon for an arm. Let the debate war between who's a better 2024 QB between Raiola vs Demond Williams begin!!!

So Ty Ty Washington declared for the NBA Draft.

Curious where you guys think he will get drafted ?

Before I release them on twitter I’m giving the forum first view at my personal awards from this basketball season. A lot of great players and teams, these awards should reflect the talent.

A few quirks: First, the all conference teams don’t have a traditional five players as I feel like it cuts into showing all the possible talent from a conference. Second, the team of the year went to teams who did not play in the title game. That award is for the teams that exceeded expectations and made noise when people didn’t expect as much. Third, the 5A coach of the year race was incredibly hard to pick a single winner. Randy Lavender took a Centennial team that was the favorite to its peak and was able to lead a program while encouraging his players to lead themselves. Ty Amundsen had multiple freshman/Underclassman players with key minutes and had the young team one shot away from the 5A semifinals. Both Ty and Randy deserve the love and have put in the effort, therefore since it’s my awards I’m giving it to both of them… You don’t like it? Make your own.

Without further ado… From Maryvale to Prescott, From Pueblo to Peoria I present the Seliga awards:

4A Conference
Player of the year: Nate Calmese, Mesquite, Point Guard, Sr.

1st Team:
Styles Phipps, St Mary’s, Point Guard, So.
Garrison Phelps, St Mary’s, Shooting Guard, Sr.
Nate Calmese, Mesquite, Point Guard, Sr.
Andrew Camacho, Peoria, Guard, Jr.
Dillan Baker, Salpointe Catholic, Small Forward, Sr.
Blessing Nwottie, Paradise Honors, Shooting Guard, Sr

2nd Team:
Jason Parent, Prescott, Small Forward, Sr.
Anthony Batson Jr, Notre Dame Prep, Shooting Guard, So.
Bradey Henige, Cactus, Center, So.
Luke Light, Paradise Honors, Power Forward, Sr.
CohenJ Gonzales, Mesquite, Shooting Guard, Sr.
Semajay James, Deer Valley, Point Guard, Sr.

3rd Team:
Marcus Coleman, Pueblo, Shooting Guard, Sr
Rob Jenkins, Cactus, Guard, Sr
Bryce Quinet, Notre Dame Prep, Point Guard, Fr
Jeremiah Cherry, St Mary’s, Center, Sr.
Calvin Windley, Peoria, Small Forward, Jr.

All Underclassman team:
Uriah Tenette, Prescott, Point Guard, Fr.
Styles Phipps, St Mary’s, Point Guard, So.
Bryce Quinet, Notre Dame Prep, Point Guard, Fr.
Anthony Batson Jr, Notre Dame Prep, Shooting Guard, So.
Bradey Henige, Cactus, Center, So.

Coach of the year: Shawn Lynch, Mesquite

Honorable Mentions: Jed Dunn, Deer Valley
Eric Castillo, Salpointe Catholic

Defensive Player of The Year: Greg Giles, Deer Valley, Guard, Sr.

Honorable Mentions: Calvin Windley, Peoria, Small Forward, Jr.
Blessing Nwottie, Paradise Honors, Shooting Guard, Jr.

Team of the year: Notre Dame Prep
Honorable Mentions: Deer Valley, Cactus


5A Awards:
Player of the year: Ahamed Mohammed, Apollo, Point Guard, Sr.

1st Team:
Ahamed Mohammed, Apollo, Point Guard, Sr.
Carter Gittens, Sunrise Mountain, Small Forward, Jr.
Yarell Greer, Higley, Point Guard, Jr.
Jaylen Wesley, McClintock, Power Forward, Sr.
Jake Lifgren, Centennial, Point Guard, Sr.
Pike Tancil, Willow Canyon, Point Guard, Sr.

2nd Team:
Nikko Pentelute, Gilbert, Guard, Sr.
Easton Reagan, Desert Mountain, Guard, Sr.
Gabe Pickens, Millennium, Guard, So.
Isaiah Kai, Campo Verde, Points Guard, Jr.
Emery Young, Centennial, SG/SF, Jr.
Jordan Talbert, Carl Hayden, Power Forward, Sr.
Erenzo Scroggins, McClintock, Small Forward, Jr

3rd Team:
Jai-Anthony Bearden, Kellis, Small Forward, So.
Reginald Mickens-Orr, Millennium, Shooting Guard, Sr
King Turner, North Canyon, Guard, Sr.
KJ Perry, Gilbert, Shooting Guard, Jr
Tate DeBoer, Willow Canyon, PF/C, Sr.
Rafe Canale, Sunrise Mountain, Point Guard, Sr.


All Underclassman team:
Tayvion Wilson, Kellis, Point Guard, Fr.
I’yar Shadowvine, Ironwood, Point Guard, Fr.
Gabe Pickens, Millennium, Point Guard, So.
Jai-Anthony Bearden, Kellis, Small Forward, So
Kendre Pride, Carl Hayden, Shooting Guard, So.
DeNali McNeal, Canyon View, Guard, Fr.
Kingston Tosi, Millennium, Power Forward, Fr.

Honorable Mentions:
Quincy Kirk, Centennial, Point Guard, Fr.
Jeremiah “JJ” Newcombe, Casteel, Point Guard, So.
JT Amundsen, Millennium, Guard, Fr.

*Co-Coaches of the Year: Randy Lavender, Centennial, Ty Amundsen, Millennium
Honorable Mentions:
Gary Rath, Sunrise Mountain
Sam Dentz, McClintock

Defensive Player of The Year: Abe Rangel, Centennial, Point Guard, Sr.

Honorable Mentions:
Yarell Greer, Higley, Point Guard, Jr.
Tate DeBoer, Willow Canyon, PF/C, Sr.

Team of the year: Millennium
Honorable Mentions: Higley, Campo Verde


6A Awards:

Player of the Year: Elijah Saunders, Sunnyslope, Center, Sr.

1st Team:
Elijah Saunders, Sunnyslope, Center, Sr.
Kevin Patton Jr, Small Forward, Maricopa, Jr.
Roosevelt “Tru” Washington, Shooting Guard, Mountain Pointe, Jr.
Cody Williams, Small Forward, Perry, Jr.
Oakland Fort, Sunnyslope, Point Guard, Sr.
Caden Hunter, Liberty, Power Forward, Sr.

2nd Team:
Koa Peat, Perry, Small Forward, Fr.
Quincy Adams, Hamilton, Point Guard, Sr.
Arman Madi, Brophy Prep, Small Forward, Jr.
Ashton Reese, Pinnacle, Shooting Guard, Jr.
Logan Hopkins, Mountain Ridge, Shooting Guard, Jr.
Mark Brown, Mountain Pointe, Point Guard, Jr.

3rd Team:
Bryce Ford, Pinnacle, Point Guard, Jr.
Braeden Speed, Brophy Prep, Shooting Guard, So.
AJ Riggs, Highland, Shooting Guard, Sr.
Dylan Anderson, Perry, Center, Sr.
Ky Green, Liberty, Small Forward, Jr.
Rowan McKenzie, Boulder Creek, Point Guard, So.
Aadem Isai, Valley Vista, Shooting Guard, Jr.

All Underclassman Team:
Koa Peat, Perry, Small Forward, Fr.
Rowan McKenzie, Boulder Creek, Point Guard, So.
Braeden Speed, Brophy Prep, Shooting Guard, So.
Kallai Patton, Maricopa, Small Forward, So.
Michael Simcoe, O’Connor, Power Forward, Fr.
Devin Murphy, Maryvale, Power Forward, Fr.

Honorable Mentions:
Royal Haley, Cesar Chavez, Small Forward, So.
Liam Bunker, Queen Creek, Point Guard, Fr.
Anthony Bolton, Dobson, Shooting Guard, So.
Jaylon Johnson, Mountain Pointe, Center, Fr.
Braylon Johnson, Pinnacle, Small Forward, So.

Defensive Player of The Year: Kevin Patton Jr., Maricopa, Small Forward, Jr

Honorable Mentions:
Braeden Speed, Brophy Prep, Shooting Guard, So.
Trey Phillips, Brophy Prep, Power Forward, Sr.
Braylon Johnson, Pinnacle, Small Forward, So.

Coach of the Year: Paul Gretkierewicz, Maricopa

Team of the Year: Boulder Creek
Honorable Mentions: Maricopa, Highland

Honorable Mentions:
Justin Collard, Boulder Creek
Matt Hooten, Brophy Prep

Some thoughts:

-It seems like most of the teams doing well are much older then in the past.
I remember that Musselman team for Nevada was all around 22. Well I believe Mia/FL had two 24, two 23 and one 21

-PAC-12 outside of UCLA and AZ somewhat have been looking shaky where

-BIG-12 has been very good.

-The BIG-12 all seem HUNGRIER ! They kind of all muck it up and are super physical compared to being super skilled.

-ACC has also been undervalued by the NCAA selection committee!
UNC, Notre Dame and Mia,Fl prob could of been higher seeds!

-SEC is obviously way overrated. #2 KY, #2 Auburn, #3 TENN, LSU and Alabama all didn't look great--obviously had good moments !

Ok here we go

I will list 16 games and you pick 15 of the winners. The annual pick em is always fun !

We will start for Tuesday games like always. Get picks in by Monday night or Tuesday before 7:00pm.

I believe we have seen an announcement that Basha is traveling to Southern California for a 2022 game. I thought I saw @Zalvira post something involving Desert Vista having an out of state opponent (California). Any games confirmed or rumours floating around involving AZ against other squads not from here.

Trivium prep is looking to add a QB, OL or DL and Possible DB coach to the staff. If interested, please reach out to Stephen Hemming at coachhemming@gmail.com or 480-865-5916. Please send resume and references.

Welcome to a brand new year of the ArizonaVarsity Film Session. Next up, the incoming senior class of 2023. Our goal is to continue to dedicate our platform for these athletes and to help them reach their goal of becoming student-athletes at the next level. If you wish to nominate a player for articles in the members only forums for upcoming weeks, hop into the TeamAZV message boards to nominate a football player.

Perry 2023 6'3 260-pound DE Aiden Herring

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One of the top pass rushers in the 6A Premier Region last season, Herring wrapped up his junior campaign totaling up 57 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. A versatile edge rusher who can play in either a 2-point stance or a 3-point stance, Herring uses a variety of rush moves to overpower or speed passed opposing offensive tackles.

I sat down with Herring a few weeks ago to break down his junior highlight film, and I was blown away by the (already) high football IQ that this young man possesses. I was really impressed with his pre-snap reads and quick reactions off the snap based on the opposing tackles alignment and first step. At the high school level, usually everything is a simple rip move around the tackle or a bull rush move. Herring dove in deep when discussing plays with various rush techniques where he would slant, stunt, and shed when we broke down the tape at Perry High School.

Here's a couple quotes from our sit down:

Aiden Herring on the 1st play of his film: “Pre-Snap I’m outside leverage, I’ve seen some of his moves before. I knew I had to make a quick inside move and then get back out (for contain). I attacked and ended up getting that sack."

Herring on which he prefers more, playing in a 2-point stance vs 3-point stance “It really depends on the tackle, if there’s a bigger tackle that I can utilize my speed on I prefer a 2-point stance, but if it’s a smaller tackle who’s more agile, then I love getting into my 3-point stance and using my strength.”

Herring on the play against Highland at the :39 second mark, “This was a stunt to the inside, I’m on the outside going in…I use my speed to get inside and get the sack.”

Herring on playing against multiple D1 QBs last year, “It was great knowing that every game that we played there was one if not two (future Division 1 players)…You’re never playing anyone that’s sorry, you’re always playing really good teams no matter what."

Herring clearly has a nose for the QB and what I love about his film is how active and furious his motor is in pursuit to get a sack on every passing down. He has a great understanding of leverage and shows nice lateral quickness and change of direction when he's hunting down the ball carrier. The soon-to-be senior has put in work in Perry's off-season lifting program and has already packed on another 15 pounds of solid muscle. Herring holds early offers from Idaho, NAU, and Idaho State, and with an awesome 4.13 GPA in the classroom, do not be surprised when his offer sheet starts to fill up this upcoming Spring.

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Out of the three major conference brackets, the 4A conference has the potential to be the most predictable. The top two seeds No. 1 Salpointe Catholic and No. 2 St Mary’s to many fans and members of the media are on a collision course to meet in the 4A championship Monday, February 28th.

But that doesn’t mean the rest of the bracket doesn’t have a chance to make noise. Region rivals No. 3 Peoria, No. 4 Deer Valley, and No. 5 Notre Dame Prep all have the talent to pull off an upset of the higher seeds with their combinations of strong starting fives and individual stars (in order: Andrew Camacho, Semajay James, Anthony Batson Jr).

No. 6 Mesquite has the most prolific scorer in the big three conferences with Nate Calmese who averages 31.3 points per game.

No. 7 Paradise Honors only graduated five players from last season’s championship game appearance and brought back plenty of talent including last year’s leading scorer Blessing Nwottie who went over 1000 career points earlier this season.

No. 8 Cactus has one of the best big men in the state with young Bradey Henige who can impact the game on both ends of the court.

Overall the top half of the 4A conference proves why all season the 4A conference has been viewed as a “top heavy” conference and I predict that trend to continue in the postseason. Lower seeds like #11 Prescott and #12 Dysart have individual players who can keep them in games such as Jason Parent for the Badgers and Darius Anderson for the Demons but don’t have the depth nor the talent to carry them past the first round, as is the case for each team seeded 9-16 in the bracket.

Sweet 16:
#1 Salpointe Catholic vs #16 Rio Rico
(Salpointe Catholic Win)
#8 Cactus vs #9 Sahuaro
(Cactus Win)
#5 Notre Dame Prep vs #12 Dysart
(Notre Dame Prep Win)
#4 Deer Valley vs #13 Flagstaff
(Deer Valley Win)

#3 Peoria vs #14 ALA-Queen Creek
(Peoria Win)
#6 Mesquite vs #11 Prescott
(Mesquite Win
#7 Paradise Honors vs #10 Coconino
(Paradise Honors Win)
#2 St Mary’s vs #15 Pueblo
(St Mary’s Win)

Elite 8:
#1 Salpointe Catholic vs #8 Cactus
(Salpointe Catholic Win)
#4 Deer Valley vs #5 Notre Dame Prep
(Deer Valley Win)

#3 Peoria vs #6 Mesquite
(Peoria Win)
#2 St Mary’s vs #7 Paradise Honors
(St Mary’s Win)

Final 4:
#1 Salpointe Catholic vs #4 Deer Valley
(Salpointe Catholic Win)

#2 St Mary’s vs #3 Peoria
(St Mary’s Win)

Championship Game:
#1 Salpointe Catholic vs #2 St Mary’s

4A Champion: St Mary’s

St Mary’s has a legitimate argument to be the best team in the state and I believe a run to another 4A state title will prove why. The main reason I believe this is because of Sophomore point guard Styles Phipps. When people mention St Mary’s basketball most in the media instantly talk about Jeremiah Cherry and Garrison Phelps, two players who helped the Knights win the title last year. But Phipps has progressed immensely throughout the season and has the potential to be one of the best if not the best player on the west coast by the time he graduates. Phipps has already picked up an offer this season from Auburn and is currently receiving looks from some of the top schools in the Pac-12. Phipps on the season is averaging 24 points and 9 assists per contest and will receive national attention during the off-season and Summer during events such as Section-7 if not during the state tournament.

Welcome back to week two of the Seliga team rankings! This is my personal ranking system to determine the best of the best in Arizona high school hoops. Updates for this week include new title game/semifinal projections as well as each contenders key game as they enter the final week of the season.

Enter the Seliga rankings, a ranking system that separates the top 28 teams in each conference into four separate tiers. Beside each team is their record in regular season play as of today (February 2nd) and their ranking in the AIA system. These are my rankings based off how I’ve seen these teams play both live and on film as well as their potential to succeed whether or not they make the postseason. As well as previous head to head matchups and how the team has looked as of today and whether or not they would win a rematch or beat the team ranked above or below them.

Top Tier:
“The Contenders” This tier contains the teams that most fans, media, and teams expect to be in the semifinals or playing for the championship. Ex: Sunnyslope (6A)

Second Tier:
“Dangerous Loomers” These are the teams that have the ability to make a run to the title game or semifinals that wouldn’t surprise people. These are programs that should make it past the play-in and can compete as a lower seed. Ex: Casteel (5A)

Third Tier:
“Solid Playoff/Play-In teams” These programs at this point in the season are fighting for seeding in the play-in games or are fighting to stay above 24 in the AIA rankings. Each year there’s at least one or two teams who can pull off a surprise in the play-in round/first round but overall a run to the title game would be unexpected. Ex: Youngker (4A)

Final Tier:
“The Bubble” These programs are fighting to make the play-in and either are right above the cutoff line or right below it. These teams usually have one or two guys that can possibly carry them in a play-in game, but most likely don’t have either the depth or the talent to compete against a higher seeded team.

Key:
⬆️ - Up from previous week
↔️ - No movement
⬇️ - Down from previous week

4A Boys
Contenders:
1. (⬆️1) St. Mary’s (11-3 AIA #2)- Key Game Remaining: vs Seton Catholic, Feb. 2
2. (⬆️1) Salpointe Catholic (16-0, AIA #1) - Key Game Remaining: vs 5A “#1” Buena, Feb. 4
3. (⬆️1) Peoria (14-2 AIA #3) - Key Game Remaining: vs #6 Notre Dame Prep, Feb 4
4. (⬇️3) Deer Valley (14-2, AIA #4) - Key Game Remaining: vs #8 Cactus, Feb. 4
5. (↔️) Paradise Honors (13-3, AIA #7) - Key game remaining: vs Youngker, Feb. 4
6. (⬆️2)Notre Dame Prep (14-2, AIA #5) - Key Game remaining: @ Peoria, Feb. 4
Dangerous Loomers
7. (⬇️1) Mesquite (14-1, AIA #6)
8. (↔️) Cactus (12-4 AIA #8)

Most Likely to make a run: Mesquite
Solid Playoff/play-in teams
9. Sahuaro(10-4, AIA #9) (⬆️2)
10. Coconino (12-3, AIA #10) (↔️)
11. Canyon Del Oro (8-5, AIA #12) (⬇️2)
12. Prescott (11-6, AIA #11) (↔️)
13. Dysart (11-5, AIA #13) (↔️)
14. Flagstaff (11-5, AIA #14) (⬆️2)
15. Saguaro (10-6, AIA #17) (⬆️2)
16. ALA-QC (8-6, AIA #16) (⬇️2)
17. Bradshaw Mountain (10-6, AIA #15) (⬇️2)
18. Buckeye (7-6, AIA #19) (↔️)
19. Pueblo (10-7, AIA #20) (⬆️1)
20. Mica Mountain (5-6, AIA #21) (⬇️1)
21. Desert Edge (5-11, AIA #22) (↔️)
22. Thunderbird (10-7, AIA #18) (⬆️1)
23. Estrella Foothills (7-9, AIA #23) (⬆️1)
24. Youngker (7-6, AIA #25) (⬆️2)

Sneakiest team “sleeper”: Dysart
Bubble
25. Marcos De Niza (⬇️3)
26. Cholla (⬇️1)
27. Moon Valley (↔️)
28. Poston Butte (↔️)

4A Semifinals predictions:

#1 St. Mary’s vs #4 Deer Valley & #2 Salpointe Catholic vs #3 Peoria

Championship: #1 St Mary’s vs #3 Peoria

Champ: #1 St. Mary’s

5A Boys
Contenders:
1. (⬆️4)Centennial (12-3, AIA #3)- Key Game Remaining: vs #4 Sunrise Mountain, Feb. 4
2. (⬇️1) McClintock (14-1, AIA #5)- Key Game Remaining: vs Horizon, Feb. 2
3. (⬆️1) Gilbert (14-3, AIA #2) - Key Game Remaining: vs Casteel, Feb 7
4. (⬇️2) Sunrise Mountain (14-3, AIA #4)- Key Game Remaining: @ Centennial, Feb. 4
5. (⬆️2) Millennium (12-4, AIA #6) Key Game Remaining: @ Verrado, Feb. 8
6. (⬆️2) Buena (16-0, AIA #1) Key Game Remaining: @ 4A #2 Salpointe Catholic, Feb. 4
7. (⬇️1) Apollo (11-5, AIA #7) - Key game remaining: @ Ironwood, Feb. 4
8. (⬆️1) Ironwood (10-5, AIA #11) - Key game remaining: @ Centennial, Feb. 2
Dangerous Loomers
9. Casteel (12-4, AIA #9) ⬆️1
10. Higley (12-4 AIA #8) ⬇️ 7
11. Horizon (10-5 AIA #10) ⬆️ 3
12. Catalina Foothills (13-2, AIA #12) ⬇️1
13. North Canyon (14-3, AIA #14) ⬇️1
14. Desert Mountain (10-6 , AIA #15) ⬆️2
15. Campo Verde (11-6, AIA, #13) ⬇️2
16. Willow Canyon (12-4, AIA #17) ⬇️1

Most likely to make a run: Higley
Solid Playoff/Play-In teams
17. Arcadia (10-6, AIA #16) ↔️
18. Marana (10-6, AIA #18) ↔️
19. Canyon View (11-5, AIA #21) ↔️
20. Sunnyside (11-6, AIA #19) ⬆️1
21. Ironwood Ridge (7-8, AIA #22) ⬆️2
22. Cactus Shadows (6-10, AIA #24) ⬆️2
23. Cienega (10-8, AIA #22) ⬆️3
24. Verrado (10-6, AIA #25) ⬆️3

Sneakiest team “sleeper”: Arcadia
Bubble Teams:
25. Kellis ⬇️5
26. Nogales ⬇️4
27. Carl Hayden (New)
28. Gila Ridge ⬇️3

5A Semifinals predictions:
#1 Centennial vs #4 Sunrise Mountain & #2 McClintock vs #3 Gilbert

Championship: #1 Centennial vs #3 Gilbert

Champ: #1 Centennial

6A Boys
Contenders
1. (↔️) Sunnyslope (15-1, AIA #1) - Key game remaining: vs Shadow Ridge, Feb. 8

2. (↔️) Brophy Prep (14-1, AIA #2) - Key game remaining: vs #5 Pinnacle, Feb. 5

3. (↔️) Mountain Pointe (14-1, AIA #3) - Key game remaining: vs Desert Vista, Feb. 2

4. (↔️) Perry (11-4, AIA #4) - Key game remaining: @ #8 Hamilton, Feb. 3

5. (⬆️5) Pinnacle (12-3, AIA #5) - Key game remaining: @ #2 Brophy, Feb. 5

6. (⬆️1) Highland (12-4, AIA #6) - Key game remaining: @ Desert Ridge, Feb. 3

7. (⬇️2) Liberty (12-4, AIA #10) - Key game remaining: @ Boulder Creek, Feb. 4

8. (⬇️2) Basha (10-6, AIA #7) - Key game remaining: @ Chandler, Feb. 3

Dangerous Loomers
9. Hamilton (11-5, AIA #9) ↔️
10. Maricopa (14-3, AIA #11) ⬇️2
11. Mesa (13-3, AIA #8) ↔️
12. Tucson (13-4, AIA #12) ↔️
13. Mesa Mountain View (12-4, AIA #15) ↔️

Most likely to make a run: Hamilton
Solid Playoff/Play-In teams
14. Boulder Creek (11-5, AIA #13) ⬆️1
15. Queen Creek (8-8, AIA #14) ⬆️1
16. Shadow Ridge (9-5, AIA #18) ⬇️2
17. Corona Del Sol (8-6, AIA #16) ⬆️1
18. Valley Vista (8-8, AIA #17) ⬆️5
19. Dobson (12-5, AIA #23) ⬆️1
20. Desert Vista (4-9, AIA #21) ⬆️1
21. Sandra Day O’Connor (6-10, AIA #19) ⬇️2
22. Desert Ridge (7-9, AIA #20) ⬇️5
23. Cibola (9-5, AIA #26) ⬆️1
24. Cesar Chavez (8-5, AIA #25) ⬆️1

Sneakiest team “sleeper”: Valley Vista/Dobson
Bubble teams
25. Chandler ⬆️3
26. Chaparral ⬇️ 4
27. Rincon/University ↔️
28. Mountain Ridge ⬇️2

6A Semifinals predictions
#1 Sunnyslope vs #4 Perry & #2 Brophy Prep vs #3 Mountain Pointe

Championship: #1 Sunnyslope vs #2 Brophy Prep

Champ: Brophy Prep

As the basketball regular season enters its final stretch, rankings and wins become crucial to whether or not a program makes the postseason. The AIA rankings create controversy at times regardless of sport, which sparked my imagination…

Enter the Seliga rankings, a ranking system that separates the top 28 teams in each conference into four separate tiers. Beside each team is their record in regular season play as of today (January 26th) and their ranking in the AIA system. These are my rankings based off how I’ve seen these teams play both live and on film as well as their potential to succeed whether or not they make the postseason. As well as previous head to head matchups and how the team has looked as of today and whether or not they would win a rematch or beat the team ranked above or below them.

Top Tier:
“The Contenders” This tier contains the teams that most fans, media, and teams expect to be in the semifinals or playing for the championship. Ex: Sunnyslope (6A)

Second Tier:
“Dangerous Loomers” These are the teams that have the ability to make a run to the title game or semifinals that wouldn’t surprise people. These are programs that should make it past the play-in and can compete as a lower seed. Ex: North Canyon (5A)

Third Tier:
“Solid Playoff/Play-In teams” These programs at this point in the season are fighting for seeding in the play-in games or are fighting to stay above 24 in the AIA rankings. Each year there’s at least one or two teams who can pull off a surprise in the play-in round/first round but overall a run to the title game would be unexpected. Ex: Marcos De Niza (4A)

Final Tier:
“The Bubble” These programs are fighting to make the play-in and either are right above the cutoff line or right below it. These teams usually have one or two guys that can possibly carry them in a play-in game, but most likely don’t have either the depth or the talent to compete against a higher seeded team.

4A Boys
Contenders:
1. Deer Valley (13-0, AIA #1) - Key Wins: vs 6A #15 Boulder Creek, #4 Peoria.
Key Player: Semajay James, G, Sr

2. St. Mary’s (9-2, AIA #3) - Key Wins: #4 Peoria, #5 Paradise Honors.
Key Player: Styles Phipps, G, So

3. Salpointe Catholic (12-0, AIA #2) - Key Wins: #5 Paradise Honors, 6A #10 Pinnacle (Tournament).
Key Player: Dillan Baker, combo, Sr

4. Peoria (12-2, AIA #4) - Key Wins: 6A #5 Liberty (Tournament), #7 Notre Dame Prep. Key Player: Andrew Camacho, G, Jr

5. Paradise Honors (10-3, AIA #7) - Key Wins: vs #13 Dysart, #16 Flagstaff.
Key Player: Blessing Nwotite, G, Sr

Dangerous Loomers
6. Mesquite (12-1, AIA #6)
7. Notre Dame Prep (10-2, AIA #5)
8. Cactus (9-3, AIA #8)

Most Likely to make a run: Notre Dame Prep
Solid Playoff/play-in teams
9. Canyon Del Oro (8-2, AIA #9)
10. Coconino (11-2, AIA #11)
11. Sahuaro (8-3, AIA #10)
12. Prescott (10-6, AIA #12)
13. Dysart (10-4, AIA #13)
14. ALA-QC (6-5, AIA #15)
15. Bradshaw Mountain (9-4, AIA #13)
16. Flagstaff (8-5, AIA #16)
17. Saguaro (9-5, AIA #17)
18. Buckeye (6-5, AIA #18)
19. Mica Mountain (4-5, AIA #20)
20. Pueblo (9-5, AIA #19)
21. Desert Edge (5-8, AIA #23)
22. Marcos De Niza (6-6, AIA #25)
23. Thunderbird (6-7, AIA #21)
24. Estrella Foothills (6-8, AIA #26)

Sneakiest team “sleeper”: Dysart
Bubble
25. Cholla
26. Youngker
27. Moon Valley
28. Poston Butte

4A Semifinals predictions:

#1 Deer Valley vs #4 Peoria & #2 St. Mary’s vs #3. Salpointe Catholic

Championship: #1 Deer Valley vs #2 St. Mary’s

Champ: #1 Deer Valley

5A Boys
Contenders:
1. McClintock (13-0, AIA #2) - Key Wins: 6A #7 Highland (Tournament), #3 Higley
Key Player: Jaylen Wesley, F, Sr

2. Sunrise Mountain (13-2, AIA #4) - Key Wins: 6A #5 Liberty, #7 Millennium
Key Player: Carter Gittens, combo, jr

3. Higley (12-3, AIA #6) - Key Wins: #4 Gilbert, #6 Apollo
Key Player: Yarell Greer, G, Jr

4. Gilbert (12-3, AIA #3) - Key Wins: #3 Higley, 6A #4 Perry (Tournament)
Key Player: Nikko Pentelute, G, Sr

5. Centennial (9-3, AIA #5) - Key Wins: #6 Apollo, #2 Sunrise Mountain
Key Player: Jake Lifgren, G, Sr

6. Apollo (10-4, AIA #7) - Key Wins: #2 Sunrise Mountain, #4 Gilbert
Key Player: Ahamed Mohammed, G, Sr

7. Millennium (10-4, AIA #8) - Key Wins: #9 Ironwood, #19 Canyon View
Key Player: Reggie Mickens-Orr, G, Sr

8. Buena (14-0, AIA #1) - Key Wins: #4 Gilbert, #21 Sunnyside
Key Player: Jake Smith, G, Sr

Dangerous Loomers
9. Ironwood (8-5, AIA #11)
10. Casteel (11-4, AIA #9)
11. Catalina Foothills (11-2, AIA #10)
12. North Canyon (12-3, AIA #13)
13. Campo Verde (10-5, AIA #14)
14. Horizon (8-5, AIA #12)
15. Willow Canyon (10-4, AIA #17)
16. Desert Mountain (8-5, AIA #15)

Most likely to make a run: Ironwood
Solid Playoff/Play-In teams
17. Arcadia (9-5, AIA #16)
18. Marana (9-5, AIA #18)
19. Canyon View (9-4, AIA #20)
20. Kellis (5-10, AIA #26)
21. Sunnyside (9-6, AIA #19)
22. Nogales (7-7, AIA #21)
23. Ironwood Ridge (6-8, AIA #22)
24. Cactus Shadows (5-8, AIA #24)

Sneakiest team “sleeper”: Kellis
Bubble Teams:
25. Gila Ridge
26. Cienega
27. Verrado
28. Betty Fairfax

5A Semifinals predictions:
#1 McClintock vs #4 Gilbert & #2 Sunrise Mountain vs #6 Apollo

Championship: #1 McClintock vs #2 Sunrise Mountain

Champ: #2 Sunrise Mountain

6A Boys
Contenders
1. Sunnyslope (12-1, AIA #1) - Key Wins: #2 Brophy Prep, 5A #6 Centennial
Key Player: Elijah Saunders, F, Sr

2. Brophy Prep (10-1, AIA #2) - Key Wins: #4 Perry, 4A #2 St. Mary’s
Key Player: Trey Phillips, combo, Sr

3. Mountain Pointe (11-1, AIA #3) - Key Wins: #7 Highland, #10 Pinnacle
Key Player: “Tru” Washington, G, Jr

4. Perry (10-3, AIA #4) - Key Wins: #3 Mountain Pointe, #6 Basha
Key Player: Koa Peat, F, Fr

5. Liberty (12-3, AIA #9) - Key Wins: 4A #1 Deer Valley, #10 Pinnacle
Key Player: Ky Green, combo, Jr

6. Basha (9-3, AIA #5) - Key Wins: #5 Liberty, #9 Hamilton
Key Player: Brady Reynolds, F, Sr

7. Highland (10-4, AIA #6) - Key Wins: 6A #6 Centennial, #11 Mesa
Key Player: Mason Knollmiller, G, Sr

8. Maricopa (13-2, AIA #12) - Key Wins: #12 Tucson, #16 Queen Creek
Key Player: Kevin Patton Jr, combo, Jr

Dangerous Loomers
9. Hamilton (9-5, AIA #11)
10. Pinnacle (10-3, AIA #7)
11. Mesa (11-3, AIA #8)
12. Tucson (12-3, AIA #10)
13. Mesa Mountain View (10-3, AIA #13)

Most likely to make a run: Hamilton
Solid Playoff/Play-In teams
14. Shadow Ridge (9-4, AIA #16)
15. Boulder Creek (8-5, AIA #15)
16. Queen Creek (6-7, AIA #14)
17. Desert Ridge (7-6, AIA #18)
18. Corona Del Sol (6-5, AIA #17)
19. Sandra Day O’Connor (5-8, AIA #19)
20. Dobson (9-5, AIA #23)
21. Desert Vista (4-6, AIA #21)
22. Chaparral (3-11, AIA #22)
23. Valley Vista (6-7, AIA #20)
24. Cibola (9-5, AIA #24)

Sneakiest team “sleeper”: Valley Vista/Dobson
Bubble teams
25. Cesar Chavez
26. Mountain Ridge
27. Rincon/University
28. Chandler

6A Semifinals predictions
#1 Sunnyslope vs #4 Perry & #2 Brophy Prep vs #3 Mountain Pointe

Championship: #4 Perry vs #3 Mountain Pointe

Champ: Mountain Pointe

Now that football conference appeals are done... 6A regions have also been posted by AIA, but how do we think that the 5A and 4A football regions will align? For other sports, it seems like some of the regions are really all over the place (Being a former AJ coach/media member for example, in the past in 4A, AJ, Combs were in a region with Dysart, Glendale, Cortez and Washington... Currently in other sports starting in 2022, AJ is in a separate region from Combs and Poston Butte.. why?!)

Would really like to see if the conferences take true "regional" alignment in to consideration... Which also would hopefully create more local competition and some "rivalries" too...

4A football will surely be interesting when it comes to alignment, with schools spanning from the southern Arizona, Almost all of the Yuma schools, western AZ with Lake Havasu area, northern AZ and now Snowflake will be the furthest northeast school in the conference. Would the Lobos be the road warriors traveling across northern Arizona (325 miles from Snowflake HS to Lake Havasu HS) or potentially be aligned with the schools in the far east valley? (168 miles from Snowflake to Poston Butte.. oh and that potential Snowflake/ALA Gilbert region rivalry? THAT'S GONNA BE SPICY.)

I took a crack at this today with the 4A teams...

4A FOOTBALL REGION ALIGNMENT
49 SCHOOLS

GRAND CANYON - 7
BRADSHAW MOUNTAIN
COCONINO
FLAGSTAFF
LAKE HAVASU
LEE WILLIAMS
MINGUS UNION
PRESCOTT

BLACK CANYON - 6
DEER VALLEY
GLENDALE
GREENWAY
INDEPENDENCE
NORTHWEST CHRISTIAN
PEORIA

KINO - 6
CANYON DEL ORO
CATALINA FOOTHILLS
MICA MOUNTAIN
PUEBLO
SAHUARO
VISTA GRANDE

GILA - 6
AMPHITHEATER
DOUGLAS
EMPIRE
RIO RICO
SAHUARITA
WALDEN GROVE

DESERT SKY - 6
AZ COLLEGE PREP
ARCADIA
MARCOS DE NIZA
SETON CATHOLIC
ST. MARY’S
THUNDERBIRD

EAST SKY - 6
ALA GILBERT NORTH
APACHE JUNCTION
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
COMBS
POSTON BUTTE
SNOWFLAKE

SKYLINE - 6
ALHAMBRA
CARL HAYDEN
MARYVALE
MOON VALLEY
SIERRA LINDA
WASHINGTON

SOUTHWEST - 6
BUCKEYE UNION
ESTRELLA FOOTHILLS
GILA RIDGE
KOFA
YOUNGKER
YUMA CATHOLIC

Also, would really LOVE if the conferences brought back the automatic playoff bids for REGION CHAMPIONS.