Team Preview: Las Vegas Wildcats

<p>Jason Wilson and the Wildcats are respected across the board. Their peers and fiercest competitors can only muster complimentary words for the program the veteran coach has built. Last year, they were the heavy favorites to take home the realigned 4A crown. This year they lose a ton of experience and production from that squad but return arguably the best player in the conference. "The biggest challenge I will have with this team, is getting new guys, to find and accept their roles," says Wilson. This is where we go back to that respect thing. Despite losing so much talent a year ago, the Wildcats are still considered a conference favorite, in large part to the brilliance of point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1220975" first="Tavionte" last="Jackson"], and the character of Wilson. In this article, we take a look at the Las Vegas Wildcats. </p> <p><strong>HC: Jason Wilson 14th Year</strong></p> <p><strong>Conference 4A</strong></p> <p><strong>2019-2020 Record 17 – 11</strong></p> <p><em>Returners: </em></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="856644" first="TJ" last="Brown"] <em>5’10 CG 2023 (#10PHN 2023)</em> - Brown is one of the top on-ball defenders in the state. His improvement is a key reason why the Wildcats have one of the top backcourts. Offensively he should be able to take some of the pressure of Jackson, with his ability to handle the ball, and create. </p> <p><em>Newcomers: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Aidan-Wilson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1329004 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Aidan-Wilson-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1328965" first="Aidan" last="Wilson"]</strong> <em>6’3 PF 2022</em> - Wilson will provide depth in the frontcourt for the squad. The senior forward will be expected to defend, and score around the rim for the club. He’s a sneaky good athlete who gets good lift off his first jump. His ability to help on the glass will be key to the Wildcats reaching their ceiling. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Marcus-Gomez.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1329023 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Marcus-Gomez-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><strong>Marcus Gomez</strong> <em>6’1 SF 2022</em> - Gomez will be one of the players counted on to know their role. The slashing forward looked good in practice, showing the ability to get to the bucket and finish. His biggest contribution to the squad will be his perimeter defense, as he will be counted on to stop penetration and force turnovers. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Garrett-Huges.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1329026 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Garrett-Huges-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="247" height="185" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1328643" first="Garrett" last="Hughes"] <em>6’1 PF 2023</em> - Hughes is in the mold of former Wildcat football turn gridiron stars. A high-energy glue guy, expect him to provide interior toughness and rebounding to the team. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Sleeper:</em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Justin-White.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1329029 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Justin-White-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1328936" first="Justin" last="White"]</strong> <em>6’4 SF 2022</em> - One look at White and it’s easy to tell why he fits in the sleeper category. The long-armed wing had a growth spurt, gaining nearly 7 inches since freshman year. He has some skill to his game, showing the ability to put it on the deck in practice. The Wildcats will probably need White to emerge as a consistent 3rd scorer if the team is to reach its goals. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Top Prospect: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Tavionte-Jackson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1329030 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/Tavionte-Jackson-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1220975" first="Tavionte" last="Jackson"] <em>6’1 PG 2022 (#5PHN 2022) - </em>Jackson is one of the most gifted PGs on the West Coast. Watching him during practice it was easy to see why. His handle is legit enough to force crowds to climb fences at the Rucker. He has good vision and is a willing and unselfish passer. Jackson is the type of talent that can carry a team on his back come playoff time, and just may have the opportunity to do so this year. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Follow</em></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1"><em>On Twitter</em></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/bruceprephoops/"><em>On IG</em></a></p> <p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/PrepHoopsNV"><em>Like Us On FB</em></a></p>