Rankings Update: 5A

<p>The 5A season has been quite intriguing. Gilbert has earned the top spot at this point due to their quality wins. However, there are plenty of capable teams nipping at their heels. This will be a fun group to watch down the stretch.</p> <h2>1. Gilbert</h2> <p>In addition to being 22-1, Gilbert has beaten Apollo and Millennium, who are also featured on this list. They also have other top tier wins, with one of them being over Sunnyslope.</p> <p>The only lose for Gilbert this year is to 6A powerhouse Pinnacle. Gilbert is one of the top defensive teams in the state and they are extremely well balanced.</p> <p><strong>Doc Self </strong>and <strong>Carson Towt </strong>are the most productive prospects for Gilbert. These two are playing at a high level and that is a huge part of why Gilbert has solidified themselves as the top contender to win a 5A state title this February. While it is not a foregone conclusion, they have already demonstrated that they have enough talent to beat anyone in the 5A ranks.</p> <h2>2. Apollo</h2> <p>Apollo was the favorite at the start of the season and could still end up winning a state title. They have, arguably, the most talent out of any team in 5A. However, they have suffered 2 loses this year, with one of them being to Gilbert and one to Sunnyslope.</p> <p><strong>Emmanuel Taban </strong>has been nothing short of spectacular this season. Apollo will need him to continue to do that for the rest of the season and playoffs in order to ensure that Apollo is in a position to win the state title.</p> <p>Taban has plenty of help, though. <strong>Paris Woods </strong>is the top prospect who will be responsible for helping him while <strong>Tremaine Lee </strong>and <strong>Demetrius Edwards </strong>provide a solid frontcourt presence. These two get after it on the glass at a high level.</p> <p>Moreover, <strong>Zeke Thompkins </strong>and <strong>Ahmed Mohamed </strong>have provided the team with solid guard play. Thompkins gets into the paint while Mohamed has proven to be a knockdown shooter from deep.</p> <h2>3. Millennium</h2> <p>Millennium, much like Apollo, could definitely see themselves atop of 5A by the end of the playoffs. They have plenty of talent and weapons as well. In addition, they might have the most versatile prospect in 5A in <strong>DaRon Holmes</strong>. </p> <p>Holmes is lengthy, athletic, and has solid wing/guard skills which make him a force at the high school level and quite intriguing at the college level. While Holmes is a scary enough problem for many teams, this group has guards who are extremely skilled and can put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.</p> <p>One of those guards is <strong>Justus Jackson</strong>. Jackson can get into the paint at will due to his solid handle and quickness. In addition, Jackson is a more than capable shooter from deep. Thus, opposing guards have to respect his ability to let it fly.</p> <p><strong>Jalan Early </strong>is an X-Factor for this team due to his toughness, physical strength, and ability to shoot it from deep as well as finish in the paint. He is one of the top defenders on the team and does all of the little things needed to win games.</p> <p>Lastly, <strong>Coleman Fields </strong>and <strong>Cameron Wilder </strong>are other role players who are capable of filling it up from deep.</p> <h2>4. Cactus Shadows</h2> <p>Shadows might be the best shooting team in the entire state, regardless of classification. This group has a number of prospects who can let it fly from deep with accuracy. This is one of the biggest reasons that the team has had a lot of success. Teams have struggled with guarding them as they can all let it fly.</p> <p>This has opened up driving lanes as it is hard to help off of the shooters. Further, in addition to having plenty of shooters, this team has multiple guys who are capable of creating for themselves and for others.</p> <p><strong>Sam Goulet</strong>, <strong>CJ Nnorom, </strong>and <strong>Jake Benci </strong>have been a dynamic trio who have filled it up all year en route to the team averaging nearly 74 points per game. All three of these prospects are capable of taking over a game. This is part of what makes Cactus Shadows special.</p> <p>Further, as an X-Factor, <strong>Duncan Hearn </strong>has been consistent for this group. He hits open shots and competes all over the court. He does the little things needed for teams to win games.</p> <h2>5. Ironwood</h2> <p>Ironwood has had a solid season and won multiple notable games as well. Their top win at this point, according to the AIA rankings, is over McClintock. While they do not have any wins against anyone else on this list, this group has beaten Sunnyslope, Centennial, and Casteel as well.</p> <p><strong>Dominic Gonzalez </strong>has received a lot of notoriety, and with good reason, due to his ability to score the basketball at such an efficient clip. However, Gonzalez has received a lot of assistance from a breakout player of the year candidate in <strong>Cassius Carmichael</strong>. Carmichael has made massive improvements and is currently averaging just below a double-double. His motor never stops, and he makes winning plays on the offensive and defensive end of the floor.</p> <p>Further, <strong>Bailon Black </strong>and <strong>JJ White </strong>have proven to be a dynamic sophomore duo who can shoot the basketball with anyone in the state. These two guards provide the team with toughness, shooting, and ball handling. Further, <strong>Malik Smith </strong>has been a key contributor for the team who has a balanced scoring ability and plays with a lot of physicality.</p> <p>This team has a high ceiling and could make some noise in the tournament.</p>