Some Of Best AIA Underclassmen Week Of 12/13

<p><!-- wp:paragraph --></p> <p>The week of December 13th I attended the following games/events:</p> <p>Willow Canyon 66 at Shadow Ridge 76 OT</p> <p>Mountain Pointe 55 at Perry 85</p> <p>Various games of North Valley Christian Academy Invitational</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Underclassmen standouts of the week: </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814036" first="Tru" last="Washington"] Mountain Pointe</strong></p> <p>Tru did all that you can ask of him in the Mountain Pointe game against Perry. When his outside shot is on he is almost unstoppable. You won’t find a player with a better motor in the state. He attacks the glass like the ball belongs to him. He’s in line for another big season for last seasons title runner ups.</p> <p><strong>Kaleel Kelly PG 6’1 2025 Willow Canyon</strong></p> <p>The freshman point guard showed some promise in his minutes in the Shadow Ridge game. A long agile defender he also showed poise playing in a hostile environment finishing with 5 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists off the bench. He’s one to keep an eye on.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1123041" first="Bradey" last="Henige"] Cactus</strong></p> <p>The Cactus big fella made his presence known during the NVCA tournament. He showed off his soft touch and ability to run the floor. As Bradey continues to get stronger he will become more dominant in longer stretches of games.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1180559" first="Max" last="Lightfoot"] Gilbert Christian </strong></p> <p>A strong forward who gobbled up rebounds due to his high motor. Max showed range out to 15 ft in the two games that I saw.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1162452" first="Grant" last="Woods"] Gilbert Christian</strong></p> <p>The forward showed off his all around game. High IQ player who is looking to make the right play. Grant displayed a nice pull up jumper in the game that I saw him.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1031563" first="Jayshawn" last="James"] Central</strong></p> <p>Long active defender has been working to improve his outside shot and it showed in the opening game of the NVCA tournament. As he continues to improve on his overall game he should have a big season for Central.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1150852" first="DeNali" last="McNeal"] Canyon View</strong></p> <p>The young freshman will have to play a big role for Canyon View this season. A well built freshman DeNali displayed his quickness and motor in the 1st round game against Deer Valley. He will be one of the more productive freshmen in the state this season.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1273664" first="Cohen" last="Aldridge"] Canyon View</strong></p> <p>My first time watching the junior wing. He started off slow by single-handedly carrying Canyon View in the 3rd quarter of the Deer Valley loss. He ended the game with close to 20 points.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="831129" first="Eric" last="Perkins"] Deer Valley</strong></p> <p>Eric was in foul trouble but it didn’t stop him from leading his team to the opening win over Canyon View. He will probably lead them in scoring as he did in this game with 16 points. He struggled from the free throw line but that shouldn’t happen too many times, as he shows that he can definitely shoot the rock.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="937199" first="Jayden" last="Sleeper"] Deer Valley</strong></p> <p>The veteran point guard steers the ship for Deer Valley and did just that in leading Deer Valley to the championship of the NVCA Tournament. He sits down on defense and does what the coach wants him to do.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1333492" first="Michael" last="Simcoe"] Sandra Day O’Connor</strong></p> <p>The freshman showed a nice jumper out to 15 ft in the game against NVCA. Simcoe has an advanced body for a freshman. As he plays more high school ball he will learn how to use his body more effectively. </p> <p><strong>Bobby Rodriguez PG 5’9 2025 NVCA (Pictured)</strong></p> <p>Bobby doesn’t have the demeanor of your average freshman. Against O’Connor Bobby handled the ball the majority of the game for NVCA and didn’t turn it over much at all. He scored when they needed him to and set up teammates for good looks. He will get more comfortable as the season goes.</p> <p><strong>Austin Kraemer F 6’2 2024 NVCA</strong></p> <p>My first time seeing Austin and I was impressed in his showing against O’Connor. He has a quick release on his shot and has deep range. What I was most impressed with was that if the shot wasn’t there he moved it around and showed patience. He’s kind of a throwback with his feel for the game in that he lets his offense come to him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->