- A visiting Mesa toppled Sunnyside 60-40, snapping the Blue Devils five-game win streak to end its season. Mesa, who came into the game ranked No. 17, jumped out to 11-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Mesa led Sunnyside 19-10 after the first quarter due in large part to the Jackrabbits barrage of shots and the Blue Devils five turnovers in the frame. At halftime, Mesa led 32-18. Then, Mesa mixed spurts of scoring and stalling throughout the remainder of the game. The lead was never in question, and Mesa had a great game plan to stop Sunnyside, pressuring the ball and keeping it away from senior Mikey Silva. When Silva did touch the ball, he'd force a quick shot. Mesa also made sure they put a body on junior Nikc Jackson at all times, and got him into foul trouble early in the the game. In addition to that, Sunnyside came out with no effort from the tip, were out rebounded by not boxing out and gave up second chance points all game. Sunnyside look defeated in the second half, and I know it was a rough week for the program internally.

- Four Mesa players scored in double-digits. The Jackrabbits were led by Zach Hobbs game-high 14 points, as Mark Hatch and Antonio Barraza each chipped in with 12 points. DJ Henderson added 10. Mesa shared the ball on offense and are a very disciplined team.

- Hobbs' 14 points came on 5-of-12 shooting, but most of his shots came on open looks thanks in large part to Sunnyside's poor defensive rotations. Barraza played tough inside, blocking shots and finishing strong. He also added a few dunks. Barraza finished 4-of-7 shooting and knocked down 4-5 free-throws. Henderson scored with ease around the rim with putbacks, layups and savvy mores around the rim. He did miss two easy layups, but otherwise shot 5-of-7 on the night.

- Silva finished with seven points and was held scoreless until the fourth quarter. Silva was visibly frustrated with playing off the ball and could be heard arguing with the coaches. It was an odd senior season for Silva, who averaged 18 points per game, but clashed with head coach Jimmy Rosthenhausler all season, resulting in benching and playing as the six-man. Silva shot 2-of-14 on the night, and was 2-6 at the charity stripe.

- Jackson fouled out with 11 points on 3-of-7 shooting. He also covered 5-of-8 free-throws. Personally, Jackson's game developed nicely through the season, but would often go several possessions throughout a game without touching the ball this season. Sunnyside's guards need to focus on passing the ball into the post this offseason in order for Jackson to shine his senior year.

- Sunnyside senior forward Dwayne Eason finished with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, but was 3-10 from the free-throw line. Eason is mostly a huck-and-chuck player, but can play motivated in stretches. He'll most likely have to go JUCO route.

6A

http://www.azpreps365.com/brackets/...017-aia-6a-basketball-boys-state-championship

5A

http://www.azpreps365.com/brackets/...017-aia-5a-basketball-boys-state-championship

4A

http://www.azpreps365.com/brackets/...017-aia-4a-basketball-boys-state-championship

3A

http://www.azpreps365.com/brackets/...017-aia-3a-basketball-boys-state-championship

2A

http://www.azpreps365.com/brackets/...017-aia-2a-basketball-boys-state-championship

1A

http://www.azpreps365.com/brackets/...017-aia-1a-basketball-boys-state-championship

https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/news/week-11-recap

Light load this week--I had FIELD DAY at my school lol

CDS
DV
Pusch Ridge
Valley Christian

Saw some nice young players and top-tier teams

- Sabino walked away on its Senior Night with a 56-52 win over a visiting Pusch Ridge Christian to end any postseason hope for the Lions. It was the eighth consecutive win for the Sabino, who came into the contest ranked No. 15 in the AIA's 3A rankings. Pusch Ridge was No. 26.

- The game was back-and-forth, with each team making mental mistakes throughout the contest. Sabino played pressing and trapping defenses all game, forcing turnovers and pushing the pace. After the first quarter, the Lions lead the Sabercats 12-11, but lost all momentum in the second quarter as Sabino outscored Pusch Ridge 18-3, making it a 29-15 game at halftime. Pusch Ridge committed 11 turnovers in the first half compared to Sabino's five. After the third quarter, Sabino led 38-33. Late in the game with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter and a three-point Sabino lead, Pusch Ridge junior guard Ben Katsel was fouled on a layup attempt. The ball bounced off the rim, and never once rimmed out or anything of that nature. The refs proceeded to call an and-one, sending Katsel to the free-throw line to shoot one shot. Katsel missed the free-throw. During the sequence, one referee, who was a few steps past the half-court line, called the foul as the other referee, under the rim and better suited to make a call on the play, stopped watching the play/ball. He was looking toward the ref who blew his whistle, who was facing the score keepers. The point is, neither referee saw the ball fall in, but proceeded to decide it was a made basket. The refs told the Sabino coaches they didn't see the ball as Katsel was already shooting. It was a mess and made the game a one-point game.

- Sabino (15-11) played with some inconsistency due to players not sticking to the game plan or play call, combined with playing three sophomores as the main guards who handle the ball. Nevertheless, they staved off a desperate Pusch Ridge team, who was playing for its playoff life's, for the squad's eighth straight win.

- Sabino senior guard/forward Travis Walker dropped a game-high 24 points on 8-of-15 shooting, to go with five rebounds, three steals, three blocks and two assists. Walker opened up the fourth quarter with a three-pointer and a steal sealed with a fast break dunk. Walker converted 9-10 free-throws as well. Walker is looking for a Division II or low D-I school to take him. His grades and test scores make him eligible for every school, and would not be challenged academically at a JUCO. There is a possibility Walker may play March and April with the Prodigy, a AAU club based out of the Bay Area in California in hopes of playing in front of the many small university scouts in California, but he'll more than likely stick with the Tucson Spartans and Marvin Beckwith. It'll be hard to find a player as hungry, with as little exposure as Walker to latch on with a college for the next two months.

- Sabino junior defensive-minded guard Daniel Joseph finished with 11 points, five rebounds and two steals. Joseph is the team's best perimeter and has developed a three-point shot from the corners since the past summer. Joseph is a long, athletic guard who disrupts opponents offenses.

- Pusch Ridge junior Ben Katsel finished 5-of-15 shooting for 13 points. Katsel needs to get stronger in order to finish consistently with contact or in traffic and tighten his handle, but his fills the role of scorer. If he gains some confidence over the summer and continues to work he'll be an easy fit for any Division III school.

- Sophomore Lucas Elliot looks to have improved since the summer. Elliot hustles, rebounds the ball and plays solid defense around the rim, but needs to foul less in order to become an overall good defender. Elliot caught and dunked the ball after cutting toward the basket on an inbounds play under the basket. The Pusch Ridge staff said he's playing much better, but needs to play with some more consistency and be able to play on the court for longer stretches of time.

- Sahuaro outlasted Buena 50-48 in overtime on Senior Night in upset fashion to cap a 18-7 regular season and ensure at least one more home game in the 5A state playoffs. With the Cougar win, Buena dropped from the top spot in the Southern section, making Mountain View the section's automatic berth. The overtime was Sahuaro's fourth in 24 hours, as they lost the night before in triple OT. The four Sahuaro seniors combined for 30 points. Coming into the game Buena was No. 4 in 5A rankings and Sahuaro ranked No. 13.

- The game was tied 39-39 with 5:45 remaining in the fourth quarter, and Buena eventually took a 41-39 lead at the 3:53 mark. Buena held a 45-43 lead until Sahuaro junior guard Dylan Newell was put at the free-throw line with 19.2 seconds left in regulation. Newell sank both, which helped send the game into overtime. Sahuaro trailed 47-46 with 1:26 left in overtime, when Newell made his only three-pointer on the night to give the Cougars a 49-47 lead over Buena, its first in the overtime period. The teams traded a few empty possessions until Sahuaro senior Brendan Gary swatted what would have been a game tying layup with 25.4 seconds left. Buena had a chance to tie the game with two-free throws, but made just one. Senior guard Devan Gary was fouled 3.7 seconds left, and made one-of-two free-throws for a two-point lead. Buena inbounded the ball, but Newell came up with a steal and the clock ran off, sending the home fans in a frenzy as they stormed the court.

- Brendan Gary finished with a team-high 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, and made just 2-of-6 free-throws. He was hobbled late with cramps, but gutted it out and came up with some big defensive plays. He played too fast at times in the game, trying to do a little too much, which resulted in turnovers. He's fundamentally a decent passer and often goes for the tougher pass, but still needs to work on the part of his game. He's hearing from a few NAIA and DIII schools, with hopes of landing in DII. The best part of his game is his motor and effort, as defenders often end up in foul trouble trying to match his style. The one thing I'm not a fan of in his game, is the body language after a turnover or bad call, though at times its understandable, its still not a positive.

- Devan Gary added 11 points, knocking down 4-of-5 shots and looked solid when taking the ball to the hole and finishing. He too struggled with some turnovers late, forcing some passes, but once coach Jim Henry sat him down for a minute to let him catch his breath, he played more under control. Devan is a tough player, and has been playing with a face mask as he broke his nose a month ago.

- Buena (23-5) was without junior point guard Dominic Mooney for the second consecutive game for a school decision, but should be back later this week. Without him Colts coach Dave Glasgow acknowledged it changed some things, but more importantly exposed a lack of depth at the position. They lost the two previous games with Mooney by a combined 5 points, so Buena is fine, they're good. With Mooney back in the fold for playoffs, the Colts will be a scary team playing at a blistering pace.

- Junior sharpshooter Kino Bellinger finished with a game-high 16 points, though most of the points came on strong takes to the basket with athletic finishes. Bellinger was 1-of-10 from downtown, which is rare for him, but ended a perfect 6-of-6 from the field with a made free-throw to show the ability to score even when his jumper isn't falling. He plays AAU ball with a club team in Sacramento and tends to be the Colts best scoring option with his deep range.

- I'm a big fan of sophomore combo guard Grant Ward's game. He chipped in 13 points, getting to the charity stripe eight times in the contest. Ward can play 1-through-3, and is long and athletic. He can run and finish in transition, and score off the dribble. Standing at 6-5 already, Ward may be Buena's best overall college prospect.

- Senior forward David Featherstone recorded 11 points and tends to be the squad's stabilizer in the paint. He can knock down a jumper within 12 feet, and plays with confidence. I don't think he's a college player, but he's a very solid high school basketball player who helps Buena win games.

Any Info on what's going on with the Tucson/Yuma Play in Games? Since all the teams are tied, is it a round robin?

Rules and prizes are posted on week 1 thread.
Pick 15 games. Leave one out. You must play the last game posted. It is the tiebreaker. Please choose winner and final spread.


this is gonna be a tough week.... Here we go. Good Luck

-------------------
1/31
Apollo @ Sunnyslope
Mountain Pointe @ Desert Ridge
Williams Field @ Queen Creek
Centennial @ Sahuaro
Nogales @ Catalina Foothills
Buena @ Cienega

2/1
Valley Vista @ Copper Canyon

2/2
Mesa @ Central
Boulder Creek @ Chandler
Agua Fria @ LaJoya

2/3
Gilbert @ Highland
Mesa Mt View @ Perry
Rincon @ Sunnyside
Paradise Valley @ North Canyon
Mesquite @ Liberty
Brophy @ Pinnacle
-------------------


Deadline to enter is Tue 1/31 by 7p

OK---here we go with the annual top-10 rankings of the teams

1. Corona del Sol (0-0)
2. Shadow Mountain (0-0)
3. Apollo (0-0)
4. Desert Vista (0-0)
5. Brophy Prep (0-0)
6. Chaparral (0-0)
7. Red Mountain (0-0)
8. Chandler (0-0)
9. Cesar Chavez (0-0)
10. Salpointe Catholic (0-0)

Just missed:
Catalina Foothills (0-0)
Sunnyslope (0-0)
Basha (0-0)

https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/news/week-10-recap-2

Shadow Mtn
St. Mary's
Westview
Valley Vista
Greenway
Moon Valley

- A visiting Catalina Foothills beat Salpointe Catholic 56-48 to sweep the regular season series, making the Falcons 10-0 against the Lancers in the last 10 meetings. Falcons coach Doug D'Amore has his team trending upward late in the season, something he's known for in Southern Arizona. Neither team shot the ball particularly well in the first half, resulting in a 19-18 lead for Salpointe over Foothills at halftime. Both teams began to warm up in the third quarter, but Foothills outscored Salpointe 18-15 in the third quarter to take a two-point lead going into the final frame. For the first three quarters of the game, Salpointe had senior guard Cameron Miller defend Foothills junior Sam Beskind, which worked as Miller held Beskind to 3-of-7 shooting for seven points. But, in the fourth quarter, Salpointe coach Brian Holmstrom switched things up and put senior Isaac Cruz on Beskind, leaving Miller to guard Foothills senior Spencer Lewis. The switch backed fired, resulting in eight points on 3-of-3 shooting. The difference in the fourth quarter was a few mental mistakes for Salpointe, a handful of turnovers and Foothills taking advantage of several match-ups. Coming into the game, Salpointe was ranked No. 3 in 4A and Foothills No. 5. Foothills won the section as a result, as their 7-0 in Kino section play.

- Cruz finished with a team-high 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting, but only attempted one free-throw. Cruz thrives on finishing in the lane with contact and the Falcons defense did a good job of not committing too many fouls on shooters, limiting Salpointe to just nine trips to the charity stripe in the game.

- Junior Rylan O'Brien added nine points on 3-of-7 shooting, but looks like he's been working on his ball handling lately, as he drove in the lane and finished two layups in traffic. O'Brien in past games hasn't exactly displayed the most confidence in his ball handling. This will help O'Brien become a much more well-balanced player.

- Sophomore Julien Whetton looked like the best player on the court for Salpointe on the night, as he scored nine points in an efficient fashion,on 3-of-3 shooting and knocking down two free throws in limited minutes. Whetton also notched a steal and a block hustling on defense. He's earning more minutes, and Salpointe would be better served playing him even more. In the fourth quarter, with less than two minute remaining in the game, Holmstrom subbed Whetton out for the defense of senior Alec McCall. McCall, who is known for doing all the dirty work the other starters won't, gave up a basket on the possession. At the time, Whetton was playing well. On the night, Salpointe struggled to rebound the ball, and Majok Deng led the team with five at that point in the game. McCall wasn't necessarily doing those little things that night, so why not trust the flow of the game, just trailing two points and not making change?

- Sophomore Majok Deng struggled in the game, as he finished with just six points on nine shots, and missed both his free-throw shots in the game. In a game where he needed to show up big, he didn't. He only recorded one foul, so foul trouble wasn't an issue. Deng is a good player, but he still has room for improvement. Deng did a solid job as a help defender, blocking four shots, and altering more with his length and slammed a ferocious dunk home in the second quarter.

- Sophomore wing Phoenix Kats scored a game-high 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Katz knocked down both of his three-point attempts at the top of the key, and blocked a few shots. The Falcons began feeding him in the second half, as he was 5-of-6. He's no longer in the dog house, as D'Amore said he's done all the right things as of late and has been inserted back into the starting lineups for the last two weeks.

- Beskind scored 10 points, but didn't shoot well (3-of-10). Beskind hit his lone three-point attempt and almost dunked on a defender in the lane. Beskind has deceptive athleticism, but still lacks in that department. He hustles and plays with a high basketball IQ. Beskind also held Miller to seven points on 3-of-8 shooting while guarding him for most of the contest.

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In Episode 22 of The Chuck Constantino Show, presented by ArizonaVarsity.com, Chuck raced over to Sabino High School to talk with head basketball coach Marty Roth, senior forward Travis Walker and junior guard Daniel Joseph. First, Chuck asks Marty questions like what's changed in his third season since being named the coach at Sabino, his coaching background, the upcoming game against Salpointe Catholic and how their non-section games this season have prepared them for the upcoming 3A state playoffs. They end the interview with some rapid fire questions (0:20). Then, Chuck is joined by captain Travis Walker and junior Tucson High transfer Daniel Joseph. Chuck asks them about this season, Travis' time at Sabino, Daniel's work ethic and to describe each others game. They end the interview with some rapid fire questions (16:40).

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In Episode 21 of The Chuck Constantino Show, presented by ArizonaVarsity.com, Chuck is first joined by Lead Basketball Analyst Gregg Rosenberg via phone. Gregg fills us in on the games he's watched in the last two weeks. He then shares more details about the Sports Illustrated piece by Chris Ballard on Pinnacle freshman star Nico Mannion and how Gregg envision's the remainder of the regular season playing out (0:40). Chuck sits down with first-year head coach AJ Albritton, senior guard Nick Rosquist and junior guard Addison Mort. Chuck and AJ talk about how he's changed the culture of the program by implementing an offseason and preseason training after being an assistant coach the previous four years, AJ responds to the thought of coaching and developing players in 1A somehow means less, his doubts in being named a head coach at the age of 26, his playing days at Sahuaro from 2006-09 and being a student of the game. They end the interview with some rapid fire questions (29:30). Last, Chuck is joined by the dynamic duo of guards Nick Rosquist and Addison Mort. They talk about the tough offseason training program, the strengths of this team, the competition in 1A and have them describe each other's game. They finish the interview with rapid fire questions (57:08).

- The Gregory School, the No. 1 team in the AIA's 1A rankings, trampled a visiting Academy of Tucson 104-51. The Gregory School (25-1) were just too much for the Academy of Tucson, as 10 Hawks scored. Senior guard Nick Rosquist, who leads Arizona with 28.5 points per game, finished with a game-high 30 points, in just two-and-a-half quarters of play. Addison Mort recorded 18 points in the first half, and sat for most of the second half as the Hawks were running away with the game, as they scored 42 points in the first quarter and shot 18-of-25 as a team in the first quarter. The Gregory School under first-year head coach AJ Albritton looks unstoppable in 1A play. The team's lone loss was to a 2A team as the refs overturned a last-second made basket by junior guard Addison Mort. They play with a scoring pace that'll be unmatched by most of the other teams in 1A.

- Rosquist, scored 16 points in the first four minutes of the game, said after the game he's starting to hear from a few Division II colleges after holding a few offers from DIII schools. He also said he will play on the AAU circuit until April with David Thomas and Arizona Power in hopes of landing a few more offers.

- While Rosquist is the team's best scorer, junior Addison Mort is the Hawks best overall player. Mort is a 6-3 guard, who is long, athletic and too much to handle in 1A play. Mort has good court vision and is an above-average passer, and knows when to attack the basket and finish with contact. It wouldn't surprise me if he's dunking by the end of the summer. He's a good teammate, often playing second fiddle to Rosquist without any qualms. But, the coaching staff said once he gains some confidence he'll be unguardable in 1A.

- Senior center Ben Davis is new to the basketball team, as he looks more like a football player standing at 6-4. Davis isn't a college prospect or anything, but with his immovable size, great hands and soft touch, Davis gives the Hawks a solid third option. Davis finished the game 8-of-8 shooting for 17 points.

- I went to the game in hopes of finding out more about Academy of Tucson's junior guard Tyler Carrizoza. Carrizoza currently is one of the state's top scoring juniors with 25 ppg. Carrizoza combo guard who likes to shoot, but can put the ball on the floor and hit shots in the lane as he simply glides with his long strides. Carrizoza finished with 20 points on 22 shots, as he's the only scoring option on the team. Right now, he looks like he could play at the DIII level. He's never played club ball or been on the AAU circuit before, and is looking to get onto the scene and told me he's looking for a program to play on this Spring and Summer. He's someone who I think could excel if he is the third option on a team, taking players off the dribble and scoring from downtown. With some coaching, he'll be a fun player to watch, a sleeper in Tucson.

Marcos De Niza played with intensity and looked liked they are gelling late in the season. Mason Stark finished with 33 for Marcos and Kj Hymes with 33 for Saint Marys in the defeat. The Marcos guards were too much for Saint Marys as Ky Hymes seemed to be the only viable scorer for Knights. Stark continuing to impress with his game and garnering much talk.

- A visiting Ironwood Ridge ran away from Flowing Wells from the opening tip, clipping the Cabs 66-49. I-Ridge led the entire way and cruised from the end of the first quarter with a 19-6 lead. The Nighthawks led by 15 points at halftime. Flowing Wells outscored Ironwood Ridge 19-17 in the fourth quarter, for its lone advantage on the night. Coming into the contest, I-Ridge was No. 23 in the AIA's 5A rankings and Flowing Wells No. 33. The Nighthawks came up with a much-needed win, as they'll face Mountain View, Cienega and Nogales remaining. I-Ridge is currently 0-6 in section games, so their spot in the playoffs isn't guaranteed and would be best served coming up with an upset or two in the last three games to secure a spot in the playoffs.

- Senior guard Cole Gerken finished with a game-high 19 points on 13 shots. Gerken was clearly the best player on the court, and attacked the rim at will. Gerken, who committed to Pima Community College on Saturday, is a bouncy athlete who attacks the rim fearlessly, looking to dunk whenever possible. He did cost his team a few points arguing calls instead of focusing on the next play, but nothing too serious.

- Senior forward Nick Watson and junior forward Jack McKearney combined for 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting, to supplement Gerken's scoring. I-Ridge will need more performances like this to keep up with the shooting of Mountain View, Cienega and Nogales.

- Flowing Wells interim coach Chad Miller took over for Tio Harris sometime in December. I was told by administration he stepped down because of the difficulty in coaching his two sophomore sons on the team. Miller is a nice guy, does his best to focus in on the teaching moments in a game. There's no resemblance of an offense, as some players fire up quick shots in a possession. There's definitely some talent at Flowing Wells, they just need to be coached up.

- Flowing Wells senior captain Arturo "AJ" Torrez finished with a team-high 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting. The guard looked better in the second half, as he made 4-of-6 shots, showing good range from downtown.

- Salpointe Catholic pulled away from Rincon/University in the fourth quarter for a 67-52 win, in a game that was back-and-forth for the first three frames. The Lancers trailed the Rangers 17-10 after the first quarter thanks to the shooting of senior guard Estevan Sandoval, who had 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting at the end of the quarter. The teams were tied 30-30 at halftime, as Salpointe shot 9-of-15 from the field. Senior point guard Isaac Cruz and sophomore stud Majok Deng each had 10 points at the break. Deng continued scoring to give him 18 points to finish the third quarter. The Lancers (14-7) eventually pulled away in the final quarter as the Rangers made just two shots in the fourth quarter. Rincon (9-15) coach Rich Utter does such a good job with limiting his teams mental mistakes, the Rangers just didn't have the horses to finish this one. Coming into the game, Salpointe was No. 3 in the AIA's 4A rankings and Rincon was No. 28 in 6A. Rincon is a confusing team, as they beat Sunnyside earlier in the season, but lost to Canyon del Oro this week.

- Sandoval started off hot, draining two deep three-pointers in the opening minute, but after his quick 10 points in the first quarter, Sandoval couldn't buy a bucket. He finished 6-of-15 from the field, for 18 points, with his remaining points coming in the second half. Could tighten his handle, and is a little on the short side (listed at 6-0), but Sandoval could make a roster spot on an NAIA squad because of his shooting ability and range.

- Senior guard Christian Bahige scored 14 points, with most of them coming on pull-jumpers and layups. Bahige plays big for his size, pulling down rebounds and playing solid defense. A smart player on the court, often directing traffic for his teammates. He's long, athletic and can run.

- Deng, finished with a game-high 27 points, and sat out the last 3:40 because he was accidentally kicked in the groin area, and Salpointe had the game in hand. Deng made his first five shots of the game and missed just two shots in the game as he was 10-of-12 from the field and knocked down 7-of-7 free-throws as well. It was a very efficient night for Deng, as UA head coach Sean Miller was in the crowd, watching his sons Cameron and Brayden play.

- Cruz and Miller struggled with their shots in the second half, but combined for 23 points. The duo can hit an open three-pointer, and drive and finish in the lane. Both can draw contact with ease, resulting in trips to the charity stripe. Will be fun to watch and see which Salpointe team will show up in the playoffs, when facing tougher competition.

- Junior wing Rylan O'Brien again struggled from the field, shooting 1-of-8, including 1-of-6 from downtown. He's getting good looks, just some shots are bouncing off the iron or, on some occasions, falling short. O'Brien doesn't draw many fouls, as he's mainly a jump shooter. Will be looking to see what he works on in the Spring and Summer while playing for Compton Magic's B-team, as he should come back next season more well-rounded.

- Sophomore big Julien Whetton needs more minutes for Salpointe. Whetton scored a team-high 14 points in its close win over Sahuaro at the MLK Classic. He can step out from three-point range to hit them with consistency, and can take his man off the dribble with his size. With senior Jackson Breshears likely out for the season, Whetton would give them some much needed production from its bigs, and provide more spacing and another scorer on the court for the Lancers.

Since we got a day late start to this week we will use games starting Wed 1/25 .....

Rules of play are posted on Week 1 thread
Pick 15 games. Leave one out
Must play the last game listed as it is the tiebreaker. Please chose winner and spread on final score.
Weekly prizes also posted on week 1 thread.

Good Luck everyone !
-------------

Wed 1/25

North @ Fairfax
Millenium @ Verrado
Mcclintock @ Tempe
Flagstaff @ Prescott

Thurs 1/26

Cienega @ Sahuaro
Higley @ Seton Catholic
Sierra Linda @ South Mt

Fri 1/27

Basha @ Hamilton
Westview @ Lajoya
Rincon @ Salpointe
Skyline @ Westwood
Deer Valley @ Agua Fria
Marana Mt View @ Buena
Rio Rico @ Pueblo
Horizon @ Sandra Day Oconnor
Chandler @ Brophy
--------------------

Deadline to enter is Wed 1/25 7p

I'm slowly piecing my schedule together
Usually try and see the top prospects play 2 times but then after that I try and see every top programs freshman team play at least 1 time.
Then try and see any random teams 1 time to maybe catch a sleeper.
Not easy to do--cuz you dont know lol
I have already a few sleepers I want to see
Should be fun once again

The state playoffs schedule is awful tho -going to make it hard w all diff places mostly for the diff Regions..SMH

Reg 3 and 4 r together at Gila for finals
but 5 and 6 diff days at GCU---just very inconvenient.
Also the Elite-8 this year is at higher seeds site in some cases---so impossible to see more then just 2 total teams. Semi finals are at same place but only 1 region per day--another inconvenience. Oh well. My gas bill will be high this year LOL.

Anyway the tourneys I'll attend:
PV Invite 2 days Thanksgiving week
Maybe Fear the Hop 1 day Thanksgiving week
Then prob 1 day at the Slope Invite Thanksgiving week

Hoophall West 2 days Dec 9-10

Tock Shootout 2 days Winter Break
VisitMesa 2 days Winter Break

Then everything else are individual matchups and go to FR, JV and V games with good teams/players.

https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/news/week-9-recap-3

La joya
Millennium
Saguaro and
Flagstaff this week.

- Sahuaro outlasted Cienega 51-50 in a back-and-forth crucial 5A sectional game. Coming into the contest, Sahuaro (15-6) was ranked No. 15 and Cienega (15-9) ranked No. 7. The win ends a two-game skid for the Cougars and helped avenge a 49-47 loss to the Bobcats on the road on January 12. Neither team shot the ball particularly well, but Sahuaro won because of its calling card, the defense. The game was tied 50-50 with 1:35 remaining in the fourth quarter and stayed that way with 58 seconds left. On the next Sahuaro possession, senior Brendan Gary dribbled hard over screens until he had an opening to drive toward the rim. Gary was fouled on the attempt and made 1-of-2 from the charity stripe to give the Cougars a 51-50 lead. With 28 seconds left in regulation, Cienega inbounded the ball and ran a set with some screens to eventual get the ball back in junior point guard Jordan Green's hands as he drove toward the paint. Green was stripped or fouled, depending on who you ask, then, junior Brevon Burnett scooped up the loose ball and put up a shot with 6.8 seconds on the clock. Burnett looked like he was fouled, but there was no call. Senior Alex Muszynski then tossed up a putback with 3.3 seconds on the clock and it bounced on the rim a few times before falling off and the buzzer sounding.

- Sahuaro coach Jim Henry continues to impress with his defensive schemes and game plans, competing in and winning games despite a limited offense, by holding opponents under 1,000 points on the season in 21 games.

- Brendan Gary scored a game-high 18 points, knocking down 50 percent of his shots on the night (7-of-14) within 12 feet, with most coming on runners, putbacks and layups. Brendan knows he's not quite yet a good three-pointer, so he stays with in his range and knows how to draw contact. He was called for a technical foul when he dribbled off Muszynski's foot and was called for a turnover. Gary argued and was called for a quick tech. On the next possession, Muszynski nodded and admitted to Gary it was the wrong call. Gary hit 4-of-7 from the free-throw line, but plays with an all-out hustle that's hard to match. No other Cougar finished in double-figures.

- Sahuaro junior forward DeShawn Engram scored a quick nine points in the first quarter, but then attempted two more shots the rest of the game. He needs to play with more consistently and work for better position in the post. He does show flashes of the player he can be. Could be a monster next season in the paint.

- As a team, Cienega was 4-of-14 from three-point range and shot 38 percent from two-point range on the night. Despite committing just six turnovers on the night compared to 11, five of which were in the fourth quarter, it was Sahuaro that came up with more of the 50/50 balls and hustle plays. Bigs Darius Williams and Burnett combined for 24 points, but no other Bobcat scored more than seven points in the game. Guards Leonard and Green combined for 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting.

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In Episode 20 of The Chuck Constantino Show, presented by ArizonaVarsity.com, Cienega head coach Matt Johnson and his three captains join the podcast. Coach Johnson sits down to talk about how the season has gone, having a team loaded with nine seniors, having been at the helm for 10 years, what the team has learned from lossing on game-winning shots to Salpointe Catholic and Mountain View and playing in a section with the likes of Ironwood Ridge, Mountain View, Sahuaro and Buena. Coach Johnson finishes with a series of rapid fire questions (0:24). Then, the trio of senior Andrew Leonard, senior Alex Muszynski and junior Jordan Green talk about what they're looking to do each day as captains, describe each other's game, what's different about playing on a team with nine seniors, watching each other grow and improve as players since the fifth grade and the team's mindset with four games remaining in the regular season. The captains finish with a series of rapid fire questions (21:56).

- Sunnyside held off Rio Rico's second half surge to win 64-60 in an up-and-down paced game. After the first quarter, Sunnyside led 20-13 due in large part to the offensive production coming from senior big man Santino Duarte. Duarte was 4-of-5 for eight points at the end of the quarter, as he showed great touch from 12-15 feet. The Blue Devils possessed a 36-30 at halftime, and clung to a 49-46 lead after three quarters of play. Coming into the game, Sunnyside was ranked No. 18 in 6A and Rio Rico was No. 6 in 4A.

- Sunnyside (15-10) played a 2-3 zone with some pressing for the entire game, which, on paper doesn't seem like a great idea considering Rio Rico can flat out shoot the ball. The biggest factor in the game was the length and size of Duarte and junior Nikc Jackson as they affected shots, blocked several more and altered the way Rio Rico attacked the basket. The Hawks swing the ball on offense until they find an open catch-and-shoot perimeter player or then attack the gaps in the defense and head towards the rim. Rio Rico (17-4) just wasn't able to consistently convert on attempts near the basket. It was telling as the Hawks finished just 3-of-4 at the charity stripe.

- Duarte finished with a team-high 18 points and pulled down 12 rebounds as he showed glimpses of the player he was before his ACL injury. Duarte was strong inside as a defender and rebounder, and hit several jumpers from 15 feet with Rio Rico defenders daring him to shoot all night. Duarte finished 9-of-10 shooting, but his first shot attempt was blocked. So, after that attempt, Duarte rolled off 9-of-9 from the field. Duarte still needs a bit to go to get into playing shape, to where he can move laterally with some confidence.

- Jackson, who held a workout for Princeton over the weekend, finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds for yet another double-double, his 16th of the season. Jackson was hot in the second half, throwing down a few dunks and hitting 6-of-9 shots. His bugaboo appears to be free-throw shooting, which seems normal for a big of his size, converting 3-of-10 from the free-throw line.

- Sunnyside coach Jimmy Rosthenhausler decided to start Mikey Silva this game. Silva chipped in 10 points on 2-of-10 shooting. Silva's role and play have changed plenty in the last four games. Silva is not the main priority of this team anymore on offense, as the Blue Devils have opted to play through its bigs instead.

- Rio Rico's Martin Ochoa dropped a game-high 20 points in the loss, but was almost unguardable in the second half of the game. Ochoa started cold in the first half, shooting 3-of-9 from the field, but erupted to begin the third quarter with three straight catch-and-shoot treys. Ochoa notched 10 points in the third quarter. Ochoa knocked down another triple in the fourth frame, for a total of five three-pointers.

- Rio Rico is still a top-8 team in 4A, but its worth noting they struggled against a team like Sunnyside because of its size, though, I'm not sure many 4A squads will have the same size as 6A's Sunnyside. They'll need to attack the basket and draw more fouls moving forward. Luis Quezada, one of the team's main playmakers with the ball in his hands, was in foul trouble all night. He picked up his third foul right before the end of the first half, then was called for his fourth foul early in the third quarter. Finally, Quezada fouled out with plenty of time remaining in the fourth quarter, which meant one less ball handler on the court for Rio Rico, who plays at most times with five players on the court who can handle the ball. Obviously, Quezada fouling out had an effect on the game, as he's a solid all-around player.

- 6A's Southern Arizona teams are in an interesting predicament. Sunnyside is 1-2 in region play (against Rincon/University and Tucson High), Rincon is 1-1 (Last two games of season against Sunnyside and Tucson High) and Tucson High who is 2-1 in region play with one game remaining against Rincon. All three teams are in position to be playing in the playoffs as Sunnyside is ranked 16, Tucson High is No. 26 and Rincon is No. 29. These last few games will determine who may receive an automatic bid, who will be on the bubble and who will be left out.

- Sunnyside avenged last week's double-digit lose to Tucson High with a 55-34 drubbing over its South-side rival in a crucial regional game. The Blue Devils trailed 22-18 at halftime, but outscored the Badgers 37-12 in the second half. Sunnyside limited Tucson High to 3-of-12 shooting in the third quarter and held the Badgers to just three points in the final frame. Tucson High junior guard DeShaun Bowens hit a three-pointer with four seconds left in the game to record the team's first points in the quarter, meaning Tucson High went scoreless for 7:56. Coming into the game, Sunnyside was ranked No. 15 in 6A and Tucson High was No. 26.

- Sunnyside (14-10) started the game with senior point guard Mikey Silva on the bench due to a coach's decision. Coach Jimmy Rosthenhausler said he would try to sit him for the entire first half and maybe for three quarters, but said if they needed him, he'd be subbed in at the beginning of the second quarter. Rosthenhausler said after the game he believed in the best interest of his team, Silva would be better served coming off the bench. He cited team chemistry as an issue.

- Tucson High was without senior point guard Jordan Robinson as he received two technicals the night before and was ejected, resulting in a one-game suspension.

- Senior big man Santino Duarte finished with a team-high 12 points and nine rebounds, though he wasn't very efficient. Duarte shot 6-of-16, with most of the attempts coming on tip-ins and put-backs. After the game, Duarte said he needs to focus on finishing better, but was noticeably limping as well. He clearly isn't 100 percent yet coming back off the ACL injury, and needs to play himself back into basketball shape. I'm not sure he'll be able to do that with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.

- Junior forward Nikc Jackson scored 10 points and pulled down 16 rebounds for his his 15th double-double on the season. Jackson continues to produce and pile up numbers on limited shots as he's often double-teamed in the paint. Nearly all of the teams in the Mountain West Conference have either offered him a scholarship, or stopped by Sunnyside High School to watch him play or practice.

- Senior stretch-four Dwayne Eason chipped in with eight points, as did Silva coming off the bench. Senior guard Tavo Orantez added nine points, making for a well-balanced approach for the Blue Devils.

- Tucson High (10-14) looked good in the first half, as coach Daren Cross used some of the best rotations I've seen him use this game. I will say, without Robinson, the offense moved the ball more. The problem is, Robinson is also the squad's leading scorer. In the second half, Cross went away from those lineups and rotations and tried something different. It didn't help, it resulted in the team shooting 4-of-27 in the second half against Sunnyside's 2-3 zone. There's not much chemistry on the court for the Badgers, I'm not sure what will salvage their season as parents and players have been complaining to the Athletic Director and Vice Principal. My sources have told me there are several meetings (At least three) lined up next week at Tucson High with parents and administrators to figure out how they can move forward.

- Earlier in the game, senior forward Luka Gelb received a scholarship offer from Riverland CC located in Austin, Minnesota.

- Tucson High junior forward Eddie Cordova may be the team's best catch-and-shoot three-point shooter on the team. He showed range and good form on his shot. He finished 3-of-5 from downtown for a team-high nine points.

a little over halfway thru the season.
On to week 9..!!

Prizes and rules are posted on week 1 thread.

Pick 15 games. Leave one out. You must play final game as tiebreaker with spread.

Here we go. Good luck

Deadline to enter is Tues 1/17 7p
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1/17
Perry @ Brophy
Corona @ Desert Vista
Sunnyslope @ Apollo
Cienega @ Buena

1/19
Mt Pointe @ Chavez
Pinnacle @ Mesa Mt View
Seton Cath @ Tempe
Sunnyside @ Rincon
Tucson @ Cholla
Salpointe @ Catalina Fthls
Marana Mt View @ Sahuaro

1/20
St Marys @ Saguaro
Valley Vista @ Millenium
Willow Canyon @ Shadow Ridge
Walden Grove @ Nogales
Highland @ Horizon
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https://arizonavarsity.rivals.com/news/week-8-recap-6

Some really good players I saw this week. Very diverse group of levels too.
6A all the way down to 1A