Division 1 Section 1 Preview

<p>Unmistakably the best section in the top division, there will be a lot of battles from Division I’s Section I this season. While the loss of Marvin Bagley hurts them from a prospect perspective it somewhat levels the playing field and will make for a much competitive season from top to bottom.</p><h2>Top 3</h2><h2>Basha High School</h2><p>Late last season Basha High School was crushed by an injury to junior forward 6’10” Devin Kirby. Well DK has returned for his senior year and, while he hasn’t competed in recent months, he is looking to end his career strong with the Bears. While Kirby returns Basha will be without their top inside presence Klay Stall. The 6’9” Utah State commit suffered an injury while playing with his team at the San Diego State Team Camp that will keep him out the entire season. 6&#39;6" Gabe McGlothan will look to fill the void. The junior forward looks to be one of the most improved players this year after a strong spring and summer on the travel circuit. In addition 6&#39;3" Antwan Ross has really improved his offensive game and his aggressiveness should help him to develop into one of the top scorers in the section.</p> <h2>Corona del Sol</h2><p>There’s no Bagley. There’s no Kuiper. There’s no Peat. Most importantly, there’s no Sammy Duane, Jr. However, let’s focus on what the Aztecs do have. CDS returns the Arizona Player of the Year Alex Barcello, a 6’2” junior that came on very strong towards the end of last season. They also return a much improved Saben Lee who will team with Barcello in the backcourt while playing the role of distributor and defender. 6’4” Tyrell Henderson returns with a ton of experience as well. Corona has a backcourt that can compete with any other in the state of Arizona. They played strong during the month of June and, while they are now without Marvin and will need to make adjustments, I wouldn’t bet against them just yet.</p> <h2>Desert Vista</h2><p>Desert Vista had a pretty devastating loss in their final game of the season last year. However, they made it all the way to the Division I championship game and faced a Corona team that was undefeated in the state of Arizona. DV has lost their senior leaders Brandon Clarke and Quincy Taylor, however, a pair of returners have really stepped up their games throughout the summer in 6’1” senior Tarik Cool and 6’5” wing Caleb Simmons. 6’9” sophomore Steele Bennett will continue to improve with experience and 6’5” Noah Baumann showed potential throughout the travel season.</p> <h2>Best of the Rest</h2><p><strong>Gilbert</strong> - Bowling and Nicolds will look to lead a lesser experience group.</p> <p><strong>Highland</strong> - Fuller is the most skilled big in the section and Pandrok can make plays.</p> <p><strong>Mountain Pointe</strong> - The Pride have a lot of talent. If they can put it together then they can be a sleeper.</p> <h2>Players to Watch</h2><p>Devin Kirby 6&#39;10" C 2016 Basha</p> <p>Gabe McGlothan 6&#39;6" F 2017 Basha</p> <p>Antwon Ross 6&#39;3" G 2016 Basha</p> <p>Jalen Gibson-Starks 5&#39;8" PG 2017 Chandler</p> <p>N&#39;Keal Harry 6&#39;4" SF 2016 Chandler</p> <p>Brandon Thompson 5&#39;8" PG 2017 Chandler</p> <p>Alex Barcello 6&#39;2" PG 2017 Corona del Sol</p> <p>Tyrell Henderson 6&#39;4" SG 2016 Corona del Sol (Portland State)</p> <p>Saben Lee 6&#39;2" PG 2017 Corona del Sol</p> <p>Tarik Cool 6&#39;1" PG 2016 Desert Vista</p> <p>Caleb Simmons 6&#39;5" SG 2017 Desert Vista</p> <p>Chris Bowling 6&#39;7" SF 2016 Gilbert</p> <p>Jacob Nicolds 6&#39;5" SF 2016 Gilbert</p> <p>Tim Fuller 6&#39;9" C 2016 Highland</p> <p>Jake Pandrok 6&#39;2" SG 2016 Highland</p> <p>Lawrence Combs 6&#39;6" F 2016 Mountain Pointe</p> <p>Derek Dantzler Fulner 6&#39;5" F 2016 Mountain Pointe</p> <p>Basit Seidu 6&#39;6" PF 2017 Mountain Pointe</p> <p>Malik Simmons 6&#39;1" PG 2016 Mountain Pointe</p> <p>John Schlangen 6&#39;5" PF 2016 Perry</p> <p>Kyle Van Haren 5&#39;11" PG 2016 Perry</p>