Quick takes from Sunnyslope at Gilbert

<p>On Friday night I attended the 5A Elite-8 game of <strong>Sunnyslope at Gilbert. </strong></p> <p>Gilbert was the 3 seed and Sunnyslope was the 6 seed.  </p> <p>These two played an epic overtime thriller at the Hoophall West where Gilbert won. In that game Sunnyslope was leading most of the game and Gilbert stormed back and tied it off of turnovers and proceeded to win in OT.</p> <p>The same thing happened in this game last night. Slope was winning most of the game and in the 4th qtr. Gilbert stormed back off of turnovers and run out layups. Fort hit a tough shot in the paint with seconds remaining to take a 2-pt lead and Gilbert called time out. Coach Caserio designed a brilliant play that gave Long an open 3pt shot to win it, but it fell short. They tipped the ball in after the buzzer sounded and Slope survived for the win.   </p> <p><strong>Gilbert</strong> has one of the top programs in the East Valley and have a nice stable of size and guards ready for another run next year. The attention to detail, coaching and playing hard are traits from Coach Jay Caserio. </p> <p><strong>Sunnyslope</strong> has some of the most talent in the state and are coached hard all the time by Ray Portela. They also have an outstanding program year in and year out. They have some of the best groups of juniors and sophs in the state. They will be one of the favorites next year if all can stay healthy. </p> <p>They'll meet at Ironwood next Thursday for the Final-4 for 5A. It will be the 4th time this season. Ironwood is 2-1 thus far but 1-0 with all players on both sides. That game went into OT, so it figures to be an unbelievable game! </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Final score was <strong>44-42 Sunnyslope.  </strong></p> <p>Here were some of the standouts from the game:</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brycen-long/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/brycen-long/">Brycen Long</a></a> CG 6'2 2020 Gilbert </strong></p> <p>-The lone Tiger in double figures had a good overall game with his patented pull-up off the dribble from mid-range plus got into the lane with a shifty handle. His IQ is so high and knows how to create space and make some plays for others. He had an amazing career for them and he will be headed to <strong>Houston Baptist</strong> in the fall.  </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/paul-maldonado/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/paul-maldonado/">Paul Maldonado</a></a> CG 6'0 2020 Gilbert</strong></p> <p>-A tough minded true combo guard is another who had a great career for them. He is tough as they come and the lefty hit many clutch shots from deep. He can drive the lane with a hard shot fake and score it with his right hand in the paint. He defends his position and can play on or off the ball.  </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaqwuan-myles/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaqwuan-myles/">Jaqwaun Myles</a></a> PG 6'0 2020 Gilbert  </strong></p> <p>-A hard-nosed tough on-ball defender and more of their pure PG in the group. He is a physical defender and downhill scorer. He is mostly all right hand but finishes through contact. He is a good passer and very competitive. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/griffin-lamb/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/griffin-lamb/">Griffin Lamb</a></a> PF 6'8 2020 Gilbert </strong></p> <p>-A long and lean post player is finding his game from inside and out. He can step out to the 3pt line plus has his polished right hand hook shot that is hard to defend. He scored it over Lewis and Basham and rebounded well in his area. He will need to add strength but his best ball is clearly ahead of him. Missing all of last year was tough for him but he has been a breakout player for the program. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/oakland-fort/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/oakland-fort/">Oakland Fort</a></a> PG 5'9 2022 Sunnyslope</strong></p> <p>-An athletic lead guard is taking the reigns on this team as their go-to scorer. He had almost half of the teams points and his confidence is through the roof. He can pull-up off the dribble from mid to the 3pt line and his first step is blazing. His catch-3 has made strides this season and from the video here you can see he has no fear of failing. He will have another entertaining match-up vs <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trent-hudgens/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/trent-hudgens/">Trent Hudgens</a></a> of Ironwood next week. </p> <p>https://twitter.com/EVisionAZ/status/1231107532447289344</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-basham/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/carson-basham/">Carson Basham</a></a> C 6'11 2021 Sunnyslope</strong></p> <p>-Big man gobbled up every rebound in and out of his area. He didn't get a whole lot of touches but cashed in when he had the opportunity. He showed off of his post footwork and had some impressive counter moves in the process. He moved well up the court and he will be handful vs Ironwood. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grady-lewis/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/grady-lewis/">Grady Lewis</a></a> PF 6'7 2021 Sunnyslope</strong></p> <p>-Another big man is fluid and is starting to face-up from 10-feet and in. He has a nice hook shot, he is a smart passer out of the post and blocks shots and rebounds with his length and strength. </p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/xzavier-lino/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/xzavier-lino/">Xzavier Lino</a></a> SF 6'5 2020 Sunnyslope</strong></p> <p>-Catch and shoot gunner from the 3pt line. He can give a shot fake and do a 1-dribble pull-up. His form is top-notch and the unsigned wing can stretch the floor for a college program. </p>