APS Metro Tournament Semifinal Preview: Players To Watch

Bruce Williams

January 6, 2022 @ 02:26 PM

The APS Metro Tournament began Tuesday, January 4th. The event goes until Saturday, January 8th, and features 16 local teams seeded 1-16. The games will be played at 4 different schools, (Albuquerque high, Atrisco Heritage, Cibola, and Sanida High). The event is an excellent opportunity to lay eyes on several prospects. The first two rounds have been entertaining and filled with quality prospects performing at a high level. The semifinal matchups are now set, with Volcano Vista taking on Cleveland and Atrisco Heritage taking on La Cueva. Key players for each of these teams will have to step up in order to take home the crown. In this article, we take a look at some of the players to watch in the Semis.

Sean Alter Sean Alter 6'9" | PF Volcano Vista | 2023 State NM 6’7 PF Volcano Vista 2023 (#4PHNM 2023) – VV has the luxury of having two solid inside players. I’m not as concerned with what he gives them offensively, as I am with his defensive presence. Alter has been one of the most dominant defensive players of the tournament, walling up, blocking shots, and protecting the rim at a high level. That will have to continue if VV is to advance against a good Cleveland squad.

Daniel Steverson Daniel Steverson 6'2" | SG Cleveland | 2025 #315 Nation NM 6’2 PG Cleveland 2024 (#6PHNM 2024) (featured image) – Steverson has been as good as advertised so far. This will be my first look at him in person. The PG showed off both floor spacing and pull-up three-point shooting in route to a 23 and 7 rebound performance in the first round. Looking to see if he can continue his hot shooting against the top-seeded Vikings.

Chris Parra Jr. 6’1 PG Atrisco Heritage 2023 (#6PHNM 2023) – Parra was solid in the first-round game I watched. I thought he displayed a good handle and was able to play some traditional point as well as be effective off the ball. He will need to be even better in the Semis if AH is to advance. Looking for Parra to not only shoot it but also create for others.

Daniel Jacobsen Daniel Jacobsen 7'2" | C Brewster Academy | 2024 State New E 6’10 C La Cueva 2024 (#3PHNM 2024) – Size is always at a premium, throw in the ability to step out and stretch the floor, and an interesting prospect emerges. Looking forward to laying eyes on Jacobsen. The 6’10 big has shown that he can step out and knock down the occasional 3 as well as protect the rim. He’s still a bit raw, but this will be an excellent stage for him to show how far he’s developed.

Jaden Malone Jaden Malone 6'3" | SG Volcano Vista | 2022 State NM 6’2 SG Volcano Vista 2022 (#36PHNM 2022) – Malone passes the eye test, the lean, long rangy guard would make a lot of all airport teams. He is a willing passer with the unique ability to impact games without scoring. I thought his accuracy and next pass ability was one of the catalysts for VV’s comeback in the second round. Malone is a wildcard, who’s performance and production in the Semis, should go a long way in determining VV’s success.

Exodus Ayers Exodus Ayers 6'2" | CG La Cueva | 2023 New E 6’3 CG La Cueva 2023 (#1PHNM 2023) – Hard to have a talk about impact players without mentioning the #1 player in our c/o 2023. Ayers has been terrific this season and he continued his play by nearly putting up a triple-double in the tournament. Ayers does it on both ends of the floor and may be the one guy left with the ability to take over the game on either end. Excited to see his performance in Championship round action.