5A Region Preview: Desert West
The Desert West region features some very talented teams as the returning state runners up for Division II will be looking for another successful run with a talented group and another school returns the vast majority of their team due…
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Continue ReadingThe Desert West region features some very talented teams as the returning state runners up for Division II will be looking for another successful run with a talented group and another school returns the vast majority of their team due to playing primarily sophomores next season.
Desert West Top 3
Agua Fria High School
Despite losing the majority of a team that made a deep run into the state tournament last season, Agua Fria returns quite a bit of talent. 2017 Bryce Fowler might not be the leader in any of the statistical categories for the group, but he will be one of the leaders in every group. He has an extremely high basketball IQ and does all of the little things that are necessary to be successful. This three year varsity starter will be looked to more than ever to lead Agua Fria on a deep run like they had last year. In addition to Fowler, look for 2018 prospects DJ McNeal and Daniel Foster to make a huge impact for this team.
Deer Valley High School
The amount of youth and depth on this team is nothing new, but the youth is becoming more and more
experienced and should be prepared to make a successful run this season. Returning, the team will rely heavily on high skilled 2018 PG Deven Breckner. In addition to Breckner, the team will need 2018 big man Bryce Davis to step up in a big way if the team is going to reach its full potential. After these two, Deer Valley has a lot of options in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 class that could fill gaps and compete at an extremely high level. 2018 Ari Danzy should be prepared to have a big junior campaign; however, I would not be surprised to see one of their 2019 standouts making waves this season.
Lake Havasu High School
Any of the final three teams, Havasu, Desert Edge, and Verrado; could make an argument for deserving this spot. All three times lost key contributors from their varsity roster last year and should be looking to fill some crucial gaps early in the season. Havasu appears to have the early edge on the competition as they return 2017 6’2 SF/PF Jonathan Patino. Patino crashes the glass well and plays with a lot of energy and toughness. Last season, he averaged almost 12 points and 5 rebounds per game. If Havasu is going to compete with the top teams in this region and finish in the top three, they will need some role players to step up and have Patino play some big minutes.
Desert West Players to Watch:
Jonathan Patino 6’2 SF/PF 2017 Lake Havasu
Ari Danzy 6’0 SG 2018 Deer Valley
Deven Breckner 5’9 2018 Deer Valley
Bryce Davis 6’6 2018 Deer Valley
DJ McNeal 5’11 2018 Agua Fria
Daniel Foster 6’1 2018 Agua Fria
Bryce Fowler 6’5 2017 Agua Fria
Jackson Morton 6’2 SF/PF 2017 Verrado
Shaun Wahlstrom 6’7 PF/C 2019 Verrado
Kyle Werner 6’1 SG 2017 Desert Edge