Lancer Tip-Off Classic
The Lancer Tip-Off Classic brings together some of the top teams from Tucson and Phoenix. This should be one of the more competitive tournaments this coming with.
Lancer Tip-Off Classic: Pool A
Teams:
Ironwood Ridge, Nogales, Salpointe Catholic, and Rincon/University
Part of the intrigue of the Lancer Tip Off Classic is that they do pool play prior to the championship round. This is a solid group with Nogales and Salpointe are the top two teams in this particular pool in the Lancer Tip Off Classic.
Prediction:
Salpointe will win this pool and make their way into the championship bracket. Majok Deng will overwhelm the competition as no one in this group has a versatile enough defender to guard him. Further, Nogales, who brings back a number of talented prospects, will compete at a high level and take second in this group. Moreover, Ironwood Ridge will take 3rd while Rincon/University finishes 4th.
Players to Watch:
Salpointe: Majok Deng and
Evan Nelson
Evan
Nelson
6'1" | PG
Salpointe | 2020
State
#184
Nation
AZ
Nogales: Sam Legleu, Alan Contreras, and David Villa
Ironwood Ridge: Jack McKearney
Rincon/University: Japhon Harrison
Lancer Tip-Off Classic: Pool B
Teams:
Catalina Foothills, Cholla, Cienega, and Pueblo
Of the two Tucson based regions, this one is the more competitive. This pool is loaded with talented guards. Further, all four teams are solid and prepared to have successful seasons. Catalina Foothills and Cholla will be the top two teams. However, Cienega will be competitive with a couple of key contributors from last years team coming back. It will take them a little bit of time to adjust to their new roles and positions. Further, Pueblo brings back a talented guard in Robert Taylor. Lastly, Cienega will rely heavily on Jordan Green to fill a number of gaps that were left by players graduating this past season.
Prediction:
It will be a dog fight between Catalina Foothills and Cholla to move on to the championship bracket. Cholla will pull through due in large part to the performance of Marcel Dean and Myles Gantt Myles Gantt 6'0" | PG Cholla | 2020 State AZ . Between these two, Cholla has one of the best backcourts in 5A and in this tournament.
Players to Watch:
Cholla: Marcel Dean and Myles Gantt Myles Gantt 6'0" | PG Cholla | 2020 State AZ
Catalina Foothills: Sam Beskind, Spencer Lewis, and Phoenix Katz
Cienega: Breven Burnett and Jordan Green
Pueblo: Robert Taylor
Lancer Tip-Off Classic: Pool C
Teams:
Arcadia, Central, Desert Mountain, Sierra Linda
In the 1st of the two "Phoenix" pools, Arcadia stands out the most. Desert Mountain will be much improved and will be the most likely competitor to win this particular pool after Arcadia. Central will be young, but has plenty of talent and could surprise people. They will most likely need time to figure out roles and responsibilities while adjusting to life at the varsity level. Further, Sierra Linda will have to figure things out with a number of talented players transferring and losing their leading scorer to graduation.
Prediction:
Arcadia will win this pool but it will not be easy. Desert Mountain will challenge them and will be quite physical with them. Moreover, the toughness and shooting ability of Desert Mountain will make things really tough for Arcadia. Arcadia will pull this out due in large part to the difficulty Desert Mountain will have with guarding Jaylin Fleming and the post presence of Aiden Weber.
Players to Watch:
Arcadia: Jaylin Fleming and Aiden Weber
Desert Mountain: Brady Giordano, Dylan McGirt, and Brandon Kron
Central: Greg Butler and Dominique Newsome
Sierra Linda: Malik Wallace and Erick Castrillo
Lancer Tip-Off Classic: Pool D
Teams:
Basha, Marcos De Niza, Mesquite, and North
This pool features the 6A champion from last year. Although Basha lost a large portion of their team, they are well coached and will be ready to go. They will be ready to go and will not miss a beat. In addition to Basha, Mesquite will be ready to go with transfer Kingdom Artis. In addition to Artis, they team brings back David Exline and Jaden Lee who will be ready to make big impacts. Marcos De Niza will be trying to replace key pieces. Lastly, North will have some familiar faces filling new scoring roles.
Prediction:
Basha and Mesquite are the clear favorites in this particular pool. Mesquite will compete and put up a good fight. However, the discipline and talent of Basha will be too much.
Players to Watch:
Basha: Bryan Baptiste and Mason Sorenson
Mesquite: Kingdom Artis, David Exline, and Jaden Lee
Marcos De Niza: Jalen Porter and Orion Bryant
North: Marcus Valdez and Gabriel Rivera
Lancer Tip-Off Classic: Championship Prediction
Prediction:
Salpointe and Basha will meet up in an all Tucson battle for the Lancer Tip-Off Classic championship game. Salpointe will have to get by Arcadia and Basha will have to knock off one of the top teams in 5A in Cholla.
