Team Preview: Sierra Vista Mountain Lions

Any opportunity to talk basketball with Joseph Bedowitz, I take full advantage of. The high school coach is a basketball lifer, with a palpable passion for the game. After 4 seasons at Desert Oasis, the coach is now at Sierra Vista, taking over a program whose last league win took place in 2018. The coach is no dreamer, he understands that it will be a process, and hangs his hat on his experience at DO. "We’re building a foundation" Bedowitz’s first-year goals, include making his team competitive, while instilling confidence and trust in his new players "We’re going to schedule a little tougher each season" In his final season at DO he scheduled Utah power program, Wasatch Academy. he envisions putting together the same type of matchups in the future for his young Mountain Lions squad. He’s currently preaching patience, however, it’s easy to see why he’s optimistic about the future. This SV squad contains several young players, expected to be instantly thrown into the fire, and the coach seemed pleasantly surprised about the progress they’ve made. "This group has moved faster than my first group at DO" Although they are young, SV’s roster is deep and consists of several skilled players. They’ve got shooters, playmakers, defenders, and rebounders, and carry a chip on their shoulder that you like to see from underdogs. The newly formed 4A Division is wide open, and when you blend their youth, with their core group of hungry veterans, SV is a deep team, with several skilled players. HC: Joseph Bedowitz 6th Season. Division: 4A 2019-2020 Record: 10-18 Key Returners: <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Gianni-Rodriguez.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1267777 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Gianni-Rodriguez-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="245" height="184" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="928923" first="Gianni" last="Rodriguez"] 6’3 SF 2022 (#34PHN 2022) - Rodriguez was one of my breakout candidates before last season got started. After seeing some action his sophomore year, the lefty wing was poised to take on a larger role. Now in his senior year, he embodies the style of SV’s roster. Rodriguez is a multi-skilled player, that serves multiple roles.     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Michael-Sorro.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1267778 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Michael-Sorro-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="289" height="217" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="986807" first="Michael" last="Socorro"] 5’8 PG 2022 (#49PHN 2022) - The senior PG was unable to hide his joy of being back in the gym. When asked how it felt to be back, Socorro’s three words sum it up perfectly. "It feels amazing" Socorro provides SV with a veteran ballhandler, and the pit bull on-ball defender, is not shy about his goals. "I want to lead the team to state"       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Malachi-Christian.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1267779 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Malachi-Christian-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="220" height="165" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="787653" first="Malakai" last="Christian"] 6’5 C 2022 (#60PHN 2022) - Christian is an inside force for the squad. He'll provide SV with interior and rebounding depth.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Christian-Martin.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1267782 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Christian-Martin-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="254" height="191" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="985612" first="Christian" last="Martin"] 6’2 SG 2022 (#59PHN 2022) - Martin is a sleeper candidate that should provide a scoring threat. The 6’2 wing is a slasher that can get to the bucket, and he’s been diligently working on his game. "I’ve been working on my jump shot," says Martin. Improved outside shooting, would only make him more dangerous and provide an additional sniper to a team with several.     Key Newcomers: <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/kJ-Jefferson.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1267783 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/kJ-Jefferson-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="270" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1267712" first="KJ" last="Jefferson"] 6’2 SF 2022 - it’s impossible not to root for [player_tooltip player_id="1267712" first="KJ" last="Jefferson"]. After relocating from Virginia, the transfer was cut two seasons ago. What could have been a minor blow, turned into major motivation for the forward. "I knew I needed to put in more work" Jefferson dedicated himself to the weight room, and 1 look at the long-armed physical specimen, confirms his story. In addition to the weight room, the senior spent days at the Local YMCA, honing his ballhandling and shooting. Despite his improvement, Jefferson has not forgotten his best skill. When asked about his season goals he responded "To play as hard as possible"     <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Khamari-Taylor.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1267786 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Khamari-Taylor-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="268" height="201" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1142271" first="Khamari" last="Taylor"] 6’0 CG 2024 (#36PHN 2024) - Taylor provides more ammo for the Mountain Lions. A good two-way player Taylor mentioned defense numerous times when talking with me. While he admitted the adjustment to Varisty has been "Different" "Players are bigger, faster, and have High IQ games" Taylor has stood out amongst his teammates as one of the most impressive players during pre-season.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Immanuel-Reed-rotated.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1267787 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Immanuel-Reed-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="161" height="215" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1075859" first="Immanuel" last="Reed"] 5’7 PG 2024 (#31PHN 2024) - It has been fun watching Reed grow. I was fortunate to see a little of him last fall, some in the Winter and a few times during the summer season. The high Academic PG has improved a little each time. On some nights, Reed will be the best player on the floor, as he’s one of the team’s best defenders, ballhandlers, and scorers.       <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Mark-Beeten.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1267790 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Mark-Beeten-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="244" height="183" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1253133" first="Mark" last="Beeten"] 5’9 CG 2025 - The freshmen sharpshooter provides a signature skill, along with a mature basketball IQ. The Son of Durango HC Chad, Beeten has used his experiences to grow. "I’ve been watching since 5 and I learned players have good days and bad days" I expect the combo to see his share of good, in addition to his shooting Beeten, showed off his playmaking during 5 on 5 play, and made clear his season goals. "I want the team to be successful"   Sleeper: <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Xavion-Straton-rotated.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1267793 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Xavion-Straton-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="187" height="248" /></a>Xavion Straton 6’8 C 2025 - The sleeper of all sleepers may be hiding at SV. The young freshman is raw, but has size and moves fairly well. He showed he can be effective as a rim protector, blocking several shots during the workout. His improvement will be an indicator of the program's present and future.           Top Prospect : <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/EJ-Dacuma.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1267794 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/EJ-Dacuma-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="255" height="191" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1267555" first="EJ" last="Dacuma"] 5’9 PG 2025 - This was difficult to narrow down, but Dacuma’s the candidate for me. His shooting, defense, and playmaking stood out during the pick up games and he carries himself with the confidence of a general. When asked about his goals the freshmen calmly replied "Win State" He also talked about building chemistry by getting to know his teammates better. Dacuma’s progression will run parallel to the program’s success. <a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops</a>