Junior Stock Up: 1st Half of Season

<p>As we head into the 2nd half of the season, we look back at who played well the 1st half of the season. </p> <p>My assistant and I went to 2-4 games a week plus many tournaments along the way covering a lot of ground.</p> <p>We move over to the juniors. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Junior stock up:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="831115" first="Kevin" last="Patton Jr"] Maricopa</strong></p> <p>It is not easy to go too high when you are already rated in the top-10, but he seems to be going to another level this season. He has great size, defense and passing skills but his offense has gone to another level. His 3pt shooting is improving quickly and his transition game is elite. He has a gaudy stat line so far this season. In 6A he is 5th in ppg at 19.8, 7th in rebounding at 7.3, 9th in assists at 3.3 and #1 in blocks at 2.8. That is getting it done. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814516" first="Bryce" last="Ford"] Pinnacle</strong></p> <p>A lefty sniper has taken the team on his back. He had some monster games already early on this season. He has unlimited range and gets it off in a blink of an eye. He can drive the lane and is a sneaky good passer. He has made 38 3’s this season, which is the #1 junior in state for 6A. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814513" first="Ben" last="Egbo"] Perry</strong></p> <p>The big-3 have been unreal early on, but Egbo quietly has been a perfect compliment to them. He defends multiple positions and is a star in transition. They moved him into the starting line up and he hasn’t looked back. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1216984" first="Caden" last="Hunter"] Liberty </strong></p> <p>One of the more productive juniors in the class. He has shown new wrinkles every season. He can still shoot the 3 but is working inside better. He has real toughness to fight for extra possessions on the glass. He is very efficient and is crafty around the hoop. Hunter is doing well stat wise for himself as he is tied for 5th in 6A at 19.8 ppg and #1 in rebounds at 10.4. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1220369" first="Darius" last="Anderson"] Dysart </strong></p> <p>A talented forward can score it from inside and out. He is one of those juniors that I didn’t realize how good he really was with limited viewing of him. He can shoot to the 3pt line and flush it down on the break and he will defend many positions on the court. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814504" first="Demarion" last="Anderson"] Agua Fria </strong></p> <p>Anderson seemed to find his spot to shine at Agua Fria. He controls every game he plays and orchestrates the offense. He is a quick ball handler, he can shoot it from the perimeter and has a nice burst to get to the rim. He is the #1 junior scorer in 5A currently at 21,7 ppg.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1149006" first="Weston" last="Haebig"] Sabino</strong></p> <p>A gunner from Tucson has some game. He has a tighter handle to create his own separation and get a good look from the outside. He has a pretty stroke from the 3pt line and has the quickness to touch the paint to score.  He is averaging a surprising 24.1 ppg. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1202068" first="Canyon" last="Torres"] Salpointe Catholic </strong></p> <p>A bigger guard can score it from inside and out. We saw him early on in November and once again in December and he just knows how to play. He can hit the 3 and drive it to the rim and score through contact with his frame.  </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="831129" first="Eric" last="Perkins"] Deer Valley (Pictured) </strong></p> <p>My assistant and I both noticed his stronger play early on this season. He has a better handle then I thought he did and he uses it to free himself so he can get his shot off. He is a natural catch and shoot 3pt shooter, but he can also make plays for others with his IQ and court vision.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>With the influx of new talent every year with all the preps, many AIA players get pushed down a little in the rankings, but I wanted to mention two players who have been crushing it in the AIA:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="937187" first="Carter" last="Gittens"] Sunrise Mountain</strong></p> <p>Carter is a big reason the Mustangs are rolling at 6-0 and 5-0 in the 5A conference. He has become a more complete 3-level scorer and will still play above the rim on the break. He can hit from the 3 and is a stud anywhere 15-feet and in. He defends the 1-5 for them, gets out in transition and is becoming a better passer. He is avg 13th best in 5A at 17.8 ppg and tied for 11th best in rebounding at 7.3. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="814508" first="Andrew" last="Camacho"] Peoria </strong></p> <p>Andrew, like Carter, is the big reason the Panthers are 5-1 and 4-1 in the 4A conference. With the lone loss coming from last years state winners St. Mary’s. Camacho is becoming one of the most reliable scorer in 4A. He is avg 26.1 ppg (3rd overall in 4A/#1 Jr) and had three 30 point outbreaks plus a 40-piece versus a very good Paradise Honors team. His deep ball checks in at 37% and is shooting 61% from the field. He is efficient, crafty and plays with extreme confidence in any setting. He also has 16 charges on the season showing off his toughness and IQ for the game. Simply put Camacho is becoming a winner. </p>