Top players in 6A Region: East Valley

<p>We are all still hopeful for 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 rankings. </p> <p>This region may have lost the most talent by graduations and transfers. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Let’s more over to the 6A East Valley region predictions followed by the top players: </p> <p><strong>1. Mesa</strong></p> <p>-Coach Stansberry has a talented older team ready to finally win the region since the 2017-18 season. </p> <p><strong>2. Mesa Mountain View</strong></p> <p>-Coach Ernst just does what he does and that is win. Doesn’t matter who the players are. They all just follow his way and play smart and hard. </p> <p><strong>3. Dobson</strong></p> <p>-Coach McConnell lost their star player [player_tooltip player_id="705661" first="Juhlawnei" last="Stone"] to D1 Cal Baptist but have some rising seniors and juniors who are improving plus a couple young guards who will help dramatically.  </p> <p><strong>4. Westwood </strong></p> <p>-Coach Powell has a competitive team with players that are peeking at the right time and may be primed to compete with the top teams in this region. </p> <p><strong>5. Red Mountain </strong></p> <p>-Coach Lemon may have lost his top player in rising junior [player_tooltip player_id="973815" first="Kyle" last="Waters"] to Perry. It will definitely be a harder season then what was though of for a possible breakthrough season.</p> <p><strong>6. Skyline</strong></p> <p>-New Coach Armour will be in an uphill battle this season with a mass exodus of players and/or graduations. It will be interesting to see if top player Herrera plays this season. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Top seniors:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="703827" first="Steven" last="Cervantes"] (Mesa)</p> <p>-A natural scorer will carry his team to the playoffs. His feel for the game and deep shooting separate him from anyone in the East Valley region.   </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809709" first="Tanner" last="Crawford"] (Mesa)</p> <p>-The big man transferred over from Williams Field and will hopefully be eligible immediately since he didn’t play last year. He will clean the glass for the Jackrabbits and is more athletic than people realize.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="959023" first="Dallin" last="Cook"] (Mesa)</p> <p>-The counterpart to Cervantes can score it, handle it and defend. There are questions about if he is transferring/moving. </p> <p><strong>Quinten Phillips SG 6’0 (Dobson)</strong></p> <p>-The rising senior can score it from all levels and is a streaky deep shooter. Phillips will lead the Mustangs in points scored. </p> <p><strong>Colten Spencer W 6’2 (Dobson)</strong></p> <p>-A shooting wing has improved each year. He can score it from the perimeter and drive it. Head coach has high hopes for Spencer next season as he should compliment Phillips as the second leading scorer. </p> <p><strong>Logan Blanchard F 6’4 (Dobson) </strong></p> <p>-Their big man is active inside and will keep plays alive plus block a shot or two. He even can step out and shoot the 3.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809713" first="Patrick" last="Herrera"] (Skyline)</p> <p>-We will assume Herrera plays and if so, he will wreck this region. He can shoot it with anyone with a quick trigger. </p> <p><strong>Eric Holsey CG 6’0 (Skyline) </strong></p> <p>-He can score it and will compliment Herrera. He was one of the rare players that played off the bench last season and his experience will help him next season. </p> <p><strong>Bryce Baptiste PG 5’6 (Westwood)</strong></p> <p>-A pure PG who is a ball hawk defender. He gets low to the ground and has a nice burst and can find teammates.  </p> <p><strong>Rex Richardson SG 6’2 (Westwood)</strong></p> <p>-He is the shooting specialist for the Warriors. Almost all his attempts are from the arc. When he is on, he will help them out tremendously and has the ability to lead the team in scoring. </p> <p><strong>Jarim Medina SG 5’10 (Westwood)</strong></p> <p>-He is their two-way player who can score it and will defend the top wing. He will most likely be the 3rd leading scorer behind Baptiste and Richardson. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Top juniors:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1016576" first="Brock" last="Heywood"] (Red Mountain)</strong></p> <p>-A scoring lead guard who is an impressive shooter from mid to the 3pt line. He has a good feel for the game, changes speeds and is sneaky athletic. His range, on-ball defense, court savvy and passing will lead the Mountain Lions next year.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1015263" first="Talbot" last="Cummard"] (Mesa) </strong></p> <p>-Grown near 4 inches in the last year and is taken off according to Coach Stansberry in their early workouts. He has a good IQ, a good defender and his ball skills are improving. He a tough player in the long line of the Cummard family. </p> <p><strong>Garrett Justice W 6’2 (Dobson) </strong></p> <p>-The younger brother of Kodi Justice (ASU) can shoot it from the 3pt line, handles it well and can make good passes to teammates.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Top sophomores:</p> <p><strong>Jashawn Kinney PG 5’10 (Dobson)</strong></p> <p>-A football player who can really push the rock. He is a pure PG who can make plays for others but is a stud on-ball defender. His offense is slowly coming around. He played a little last season and should be ready to make a bigger splash next season.  </p> <p><strong>Isaiah Blackmon PF 6’2 (Westwood)</strong></p> <p>-Their big man at 6’2 has an elite motor who rebounds well and runs the floor. His skills are rapidly improving and Coach Powell has high hopes for him. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Top freshman:</p> <p><strong>Donovan Beard PG 5’11 (Dobson)</strong></p> <p>-Coach McConnell thinks this one will already be a factor next season on varsity. He has good speed, a tighter handle and can make plays for others.   </p>