5A/4A Tri-Valley Player of the Year Candidates

<p>We’re almost there as the end of the season is upon us with most schools already having had senior night. There are some tight races with conference winners and some that teams that already have the league won. With that, we focus on who we believe has the chance to be the conference MVP. Here, we take a look at the 5A/4A Tri-Valley league contenders.</p> <p><strong><u>The Favorite: </u></strong></p> <h4><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-mead/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-mead/">Trey Ward</a></a> – Mead</strong></h4> <p>Mead has reeled off 16-straight wins and are now the No. 1 team in 4A and will go in to the state tournaments as the favorites as they have a really balanced team that plays well together and multiple players that are capable of going for 25+ at any given moment. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-mead/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trey-mead/">Trey Ward</a></a> has been the Mavericks best player on the season as he is putting up a team high 15 points a game with his high-flying finishes above the rim but also has been able to help the team in other ways as well and that is what separates him. Ward is also averaging 3.7 rebounds a game, getting others involved (3.7 apg) and what really stands out is his ability to get it done defensively as well. He is leading the team with 2.4 steals a game and is a player that can defend multiple positions with his size and speed and who I think will be the conference player of the year.</p> <p><strong><u>The Second Favorite:</u></strong></p> <h4><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/will-maher/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/will-maher/">Will Maher</a></a> – Mead</strong></h4> <p>The only reason that Maher will not win the award is because of what his teammate has been doing this season. With that being said, lets not overlook the type of year that it has been for the Senior guard. Mead is 17-1 on the year as the No. 1 team in 4A and the reason for that is because they have plenty of talent and a true point guard that understands when to take over and when to get others involved. Maher is an assertive guard that has good vision, is a great ballhandler and also can score in multiple ways. He is putting up 13.8 points a game and is second in the conference in assists a game at 5.8 dishes a game. Maher is shooting an incredible 57% from beyond the arc which is leading the state by a wide margin and with his ability to affect the game with his shooting as well as high IQ passes he becomes one of the most difficult players to contain in the state.  </p> <p><strong><u>The Third Favorite:</u></strong></p> <h4><strong>Austin Robison – Skyline</strong></h4> <p>Skyline has struggled a bit in conference, but overall they are having a wonderful year and will be battle-tested and ready come state playoffs. They are 14-5 on the season and have beaten all of the teams that they were supposed to beat. They play hard and they play well together and their engine has been their senior forward, Austin Robison. Robinson is an athletic big man that uses his strength and size to get the best on opponents. He attacks the paint, has a few inside moves with soft touch around the rim and is a two-way competitor that does not back down inside. He is putting up 13.3 points and 5.5 rebounds a game and has been a consistent source of energy for Skyline who even made an appearance in the Top-10 at one point. Don’t count the Falcons out, they have a senior big man that is ready to compete and while I think a player from Mead has it in the bag, it was a pretty good season by Robison that gives him a bit of consideration.</p> <p><strong><u>The Longshot:</u></strong></p> <h4><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-hageman/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-hageman/">Ben Hageman</a></a> – Windsor</strong></h4> <p>Windsor is in third place in the Tri-Valley with a 9-3 conference record and have a chance to push for second as they have a rematch against Erie next game that got the best of them the last two times the team played. Windsor is a team that will be in the playoffs this season and a big reason for that is because of their junior wing <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-hageman/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/ben-hageman/">Ben Hageman</a></a> who statistically is having one of the best seasons in the conference. Hageman is averaging a team-best 15.5 points a game and is also leading the team in rebounds (7.6 rpg) as well. He has put up double-figures in seven straight games and while his shot is not falling he has made it a point to get to the point and finish with ease as he is one of the most efficient players in the conference. He might not win it, but is having a great season nonetheless.</p> <p><strong><u>Won’t win, but still a great season: </u></strong></p> <h4><strong>Garrett Green – Holy Family </strong></h4> <p>Green came out of nowhere as he had one of the biggest jumps out of anyone in the state from junior to senior season. As a junior he averaged 5.8 points a game on a very good team. He was a role player that provided a spark but as a senior he has seen a jump in his game as he became the best player for Holy Family as they attempt to right the ship to finish up the season. The 6’1 guard is putting up 18.5 points a game and also 3.5 rebounds to go along with it. He has an inside-out game and has been the Tigers’ leading scorer. Due to their overall record Green will not have a chance to win, but he is having a good year and is a very underrated prospect that we have.</p>