Team Previews: #25 Mountain Pointe
This week we start releasing our top 25 high school team ranking previews, regardless of classification and affiliation. Each day until the season begins we will release a new preview until finally unveiling the #1 high school team in the state of Arizona.
Head Coach: Hosea Graham
Affiliation: AIA, Division 1, Section 1
Top Dog(s): Lawrence Combs (6’6”, F, SR);
Sleeper: Derek Dantzler (6’5”, F, SR);
Notes: The Pride have somewhat underachieved in recent years. However, with a very talented senior class there are reasons to be optimistic. 6’6” Lawrence Combs is much improved and will serve as a matchup problem for many opponents. Mountain Pointe expected 6’5” junior Seidu Basit to man down the middle but he moved back to the Midwest. While it does change the way they’ll play, it doesn’t necessarily hurt them as Combs will be joined in the frontcourt by another versatile forward in Derek Dantzler, a 6’5” late bloomer who played his first varsity season last year. 6’1” senior Malik Simmons has developed into a very solid point guard that can impact both sides of the ball. The Pride will also count on numerous freshmen and sophomores to make an impact during different games throughout the season.