5A Region Preview: San Tan
The San Tan region has a lot of intrigue as there are a couple of talented groups with returning talent and a couple of teams that received some talented incoming freshman and transfers. Look for the top teams in this…
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Continue ReadingThe San Tan region has a lot of intrigue as there are a couple of talented groups with returning talent and a couple of teams that received some talented incoming freshman and transfers. Look for the top teams in this region to compete at a very high level this upcoming season.
San Tan Top 3
Mesquite High School
There probably won’t be a lot of teams that won as few of games as Mesquite did last year who will be projected to win a region. However, Mesquite has the majority of their team back, including 2018 David Exline, who led the team in scoring at almost a 20 point per game mark. In addition to having the majority of their group back, Mesquite will receive the services of previous state champion and well-traveled 2018 Jaden Lee. Lee is a dynamic guard who has added a consistent jump shot to his game. His athleticism, length, and toughness have made him a top tier prospect in the state. Add to it that he is starting to mature and play every possession and has added range to his game. Lastly, Mesquite will have one of the top 2020 prospects in Xavier Dussell who will look to contribute from day one. This group has the talent and the ability to win the San Tan region and do some damage in the state tournament. It will be interesting to watch how all of the pieces mesh.
Vista Grande High School
Vista Grande is loaded with athleticism and a well-balanced team. Last year, the team finished at the .500 mark; however, they return a good portion of Juniors and Sophomores who were able to make an impact on the varsity level last year. They looked good this summer as they were able to earn a number 1 seed in the Skyline tournament prior to having some transportation issues. Expect 2017 Brenden Ethington, Skylar Collins, and Jeovany Cruz to look to make a strong push for the San Tan region title in their senior campaigns. There is enough talent and depth on this roster to definitely compete at a very high level.
Queen Creek High School
Queen Creek will ride the coattails of 2017 Kade Parks as the rest of the group figures out their roles on the varsity level. This team has a couple of 2017 and 2018 prospects that earned significant playing time on the varsity level last season who look to fill the gaps that were left by some of the 2016 prospects who departed. Parks has the ability to hold down the fort for this group as those things come into fruition as he is capable of scoring in an array of ways. More importantly, he makes an impact on the glass which will supply Queen Creek with possessions and opportunities. Parks should look to have a big senior year in which he averages close to a double-double yet again.
San Tan Best of the Rest
Williams Field – Everything ran through NCAA Division-1 Wyatt Lowell last season, and rightfully so, but Williams Field should have plenty to look forward to. Williams Field only had three seniors on their roster last season and had a number of underclassmen and returning seniors make a significant impact on that level. It will take them time to determine who should be getting the reps and the looks now that the 24 point per game scorer is gone. With that said, they have the talent to do more than be a #4 team in the San Tan region.
San Tan Players to Watch
Kingdom Artis 6’4 PG/SG 2019 Campo Verde
Tanner Haeberle 5’8 PG 2017 Williams Field
DJ Tate 6’1 SG/SF 2019 Williams Field
Nick Cupp-Allen 6’1 SG/SF 2019 Williams Field
Kade Parks 6’4 SF/PF 2017 Queen Creek
Mike Young 6’5 PF/C 2017 Queen Creek
Conner Morris 6’2 PG/SG 2017 Queen Creek
Brenden Ethington 6’1 SG/SF 2017 Vista Grande
Skylar Collins 6’6 PF/C 2017 Vista Grande
Jeovany Cruz 5’9 PG 2017 Vista Grande
Xavier Dussell 6’3 SG 2020 Mesquite
Jaden Lee 6’3 PG/SG 2018 Mesquite
David Exline 6’5 SG/SF 2018 Mesquite