3A Watch List: Player of the Year Candidates
Although the Player of the Year is completely up for grabs, below is a list of our projections of potential Players of the Year. This group should be on everyone’s scouting reports and will be prepared to have huge seasons for their respective teams.
3A Watch List: 1st Team Candidates
3A Central: BJ Burries 5’9 PG 2019 Globe
If Globe does what I expect that they will do, Burries has to be the top candidate for this award as he will most likely have the best scoring totals in the entire state. He will cause headaches for opposing coaches due to his ability and willingness to shoot the basketball from anywhere on the floor. The to limiting the success of Globe won’t be limiting Burries, but making him taking more shots than usual.
3A South: Jake Plouck 5’9 PG 2018 Empire
Plouck will be responsible for running the show for Empire. His ability to score the basketball and create for teammates will play a huge role in the group’s success this season. Empire is the favorite to win their region and Plouck will be the catalyst to this team’s region championship. Thus, making him an easy selection for this particular region.
3A North Tristan Yazzie 5’11 PG 2018 Tuba City
Yazzie is one of the most dangerous scorers in 3A. Like some of the others who are on this list, he will generate a lot of scoring. Tuba City will be in the contention for the region title and will win it unless someone figures out how to slow down Yazzie. He can shoot the basketball and create as well as anyone in this classification.
3A East: Mason Berges 6’3 SG 2018 Blue Ridge
Berges is another one of the top contenders. He has a lot of potential to win this particular award for a couple of reasons. Winslow will challenge this group greatly, but Berges will be the key contributor that will push Blue Ridge over the top. He will also be one of the top reasons that Blue Ridge is a legitimate state championship contender.
3A Metro: Connor Braun 6’8 PF/C 2019 Valley Christian
Braun is one of the few big men who made this list. However, he is in prime position to win this particular award due to the departure of Matt Svorinic. Many are expecting Valley Christian to take a step back. However, due to Braun’s presence, I believe Valley Christian will find a way to compete and keep themselves atop their region. Braun’s ability to have success will largely depend upon his teammates ability to get him the ball on the block.
3A West: Andrew Augustine 6’0 SG 2018 Northwest Christian
Augustine and Northwest Christian made a surprising run into the final four last season. He is back to lead the group and they look poised to make yet another deep run. He shoots the basketball off of away from the ball screens better than any player on this player of the year watch list. Further, he generates a lot of offense while only having to have the basketball in his hands for short periods of time.
Sleeper Pick: Rarey Summers 6’6 C 2019 Florence
Summers joins Braun as the only big man to make this particular list. He is physical and brings a lot to the table for Florence. Florence will challenge for their region title due in large part to Summers ability to get double-doubles at an extremely high rate. He is tough on the glass and will finish around the rim while protecting the paint defensively. Summers is a sleeper for player of the year, but he is worthy of being in discussion.