Top players in 6A Region: Desert Valley

<p>We are all still hopeful that the HS season will happen. If it does take place in the fall or maybe even the spring, I want to take a look at the top players in each region plus make some way too early predictions. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Let’s start with the 6A Desert Valley region predictions followed by the top players: </p> <p><strong>1. Pinnacle </strong></p> <p>-Coach Wilde has a younger team that has probably the most natural talent led by sophomores mixed in with a few older players. It is very hard to win with young teams, but no one would be surprised if they won this region with their depth. </p> <p><strong>2. Chaparral </strong></p> <p>-Coach Peterson has an older team that is a very tight group. They play together year round and are forming elite chemistry. I do think this region is open and the first three teams are not too far off from each other. </p> <p><strong>3. Liberty </strong></p> <p>-Coach Wood has another fairly older team who is led by some under the radar seniors who have improved each year. Look for them to be in the mix of things the whole way. </p> <p><strong>4. Sandra Day O’Connor </strong></p> <p>-Coach Rogers has a good mixture of youth and some veteran players. The growth of their youth may actually be the answer to see how far they go. They may be a sleeper team that just make the playoffs this season and it wouldn’t shock me to see some ’upsets’ a game or two from this team.   </p> <p><strong>5. Mountain Ridge </strong></p> <p>-New Coach Marcus comes over from Verrado and will look to jump start the program and try and make the playoffs next season. </p> <p><strong>6. Boulder Creek</strong></p> <p>-Coach Collard will have his work cut out for him. They lost a lot of very good seniors and will have to rebuild.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Top seniors:</p> <p><strong>Elias White 6’4 (Pinnacle) </strong></p> <p>-An athletic slasher who is a good finisher around the basket. A nice glue guy for Coach Wilde. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809722" first="Jevon" last="Humphrey"] (Chaparral)   </p> <p>-One of the top scorers and players in the region. He will be a tough cover and can carry the Firebirds many nights. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="932396" first="Markes" last="Siekam"] (Chaparral)   </p> <p>-The high flyer can shoot it from deep plus rebounds well in area and plays above the rim on the break. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="959025" first="William" last="Betteridge"] (Chaparral)   </p> <p>-Another Firebird that can take off some of the pressure scoring wise from Jevon. He may actually take the most shots on the team and be a vital part to the teams success. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809734" first="Miles" last="Guliford"] (Liberty)</p> <p>-The lefty sharp shooter has improved every year like his older brother did. Look for him to lead the team in attempts and makes from the 3pt line. His defense is always tough on the ball.   </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="959957" first="Patrick" last="Steitz"] (Liberty)  </p> <p>-A nice compliment to Guliford with some good size. He also can shoot the ball at a good clip and can put the ball on the floor plus score a little inside. He is more of a face-up 4-man. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1011614" first="Garrett" last="Anderson"] (Sandra Day O’Connor)</strong></p> <p>-Anderson will be the second option on offense behind Kearney. He’s really improved his shot and plays above the rim. Him and Kearney will be incredible in transition.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1011615" first="Uyi-osa" last="Irowa"] (Sandra Day O’Connor)</strong></p> <p>-Irowa plays like a big man should. He rebounds, runs the court and blocks shots. </p> <p><strong>Aiden Clayton and Austin Clayton F 6'3 (Mountain Ridge)  </strong></p> <p>-The twins are tough from inside and out. They are natural rebounders and are both good passers. They are undersized forwards but are tough and physical. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Top juniors:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="936762" first="Luke" last="Gavin"] (Pinnacle)  </p> <p>-The rising junior guard can defend multiple positions. He is a top-notch on-ball defender and a capable shooter from the perimeter. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1010009" first="Joey" last="Grady"] (Pinnacle) </p> <p>-A long line of stud Pinnacle PG’s for the last 5+ years is now open for the taking. Grady will be the odds on favorite to take that torch. He is smart, handles the ball well and can shoot when left open. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="827011" first="Jalin" last="Humphrey"] (Chaparral) </p> <p>-The quick scoring guard will be a nice compliment to older brother Humphrey and Betteridge. He loves the mid-range pull-up. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="973910" first="Luke" last="Kearney"] (SDO) </p> <p>-The face-up forward will have a breakout season as previously mentioned last week. He’s athletic and he will look to lead this team. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="944971" first="Micah" last="Wilkerson"] (Mountain Ridge) </p> <p>-The long athlete will help defend the 1-3 plus is great on the break. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Top Sophs:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="937182" first="Royce" last="Ramos"] (Pinnacle) </p> <p>-One of the top players in the region is a true threat to score from all 3 levels. He has great strength combined with advanced skill. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="814526" first="Ashton" last="Reese"] (Pinnacle) </p> <p>-A long shooting wing who can really stretch the floor. He will be another rebounder on an already bigger front line.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="814516" first="Bryce" last="Ford"] (Pinnacle) </p> <p>-A smaller scoring guard can light it up from the perimeter. He has a chance to be the one of the leading scorers behind Ramos next season. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="937186" first="Duce" last="Robinson"] (Pinnacle)  </p> <p>-One of the top football prospects in the class can also hoop. He will most likely go on to a PAC-12 type of school for the gridiron (already holds an ASU offer), but he still will help the Pioneers inside the paint on defense and scoring inside. </p>