AIA Superlatives: Regular Season

As the playoffs are starting with the heavy hitters playing Wednesday-Friday seeded #1-8 in 4A-6A, let’s look back at some of the best players at many different categories.

Only the players I have personally viewed since Thanksgiving are eligible. 

MVP in 6A

Elijah Saunders Elijah Saunders 6'8" | PF Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope

MVP in 5A

Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo 

MVP in 4A

Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite 

MVP in 3A

Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian 

MVP in 2A

Garrison Sherman Garrison Sherman 6'7" | SF Scottsdale Christian | 2022 State AZ SCA

Best performances I viewed live

Bradey Henige Bradey Henige 7'0" | C Cactus | 2024 State #192 Nation AZ Cactus  (40 pts 20 rbs)

Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S   Maricopa (33 pts 10 rebs 5+ asts 4 blks)

Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian (53 pts 8 rbs)

Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite (30+ pts vs Hamilton)  

Top Newcomers in 6A

Quincy Adams Quincy Adams 6'5" | SF Hamilton | 2022 State AZ Hamilton 

Kota Benson Kota Benson 6'0" | PG Mesa | 2023 State AZ Mesa

Benito Carter Benito Carter 5'11" | PG Westview | 2023 State AZ Westview 

Top Newcomers in 5A

Yarell Greer Yarell Greer 5'10" | PG Higley | 2023 State AZ Higley 

I’yar Shadowvine I’yar Shadowvine 5'7" | PG Ironwood | 2025 State AZ Ironwood 

Top Newcomers in 4A

Brennan Peterson Brennan Peterson 6'0" | PG Dream City Christian | 2025 State AZ NDP 

Bryce Quinet Bryce Quinet 6'3" | PG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ NDP

Top Newcomer in 3A

Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian 

Breakout players in 6A

Logan Hopkins Logan Hopkins 6'2" | SG Mountain Ridge | 2022 State AZ Mountain Ridge 

Caden Hunter Caden Hunter 6'5" | PF Liberty | 2023 State AZ Liberty 

Breakout players in 5A

Carter Gittens Carter Gittens 6'5" | SF Sunrise Mountain | 2023 State AZ Sunrise Mountain 

King Turner King Turner 6'5" | PG North Canyon | 2023 State AZ North Canyon 

Breakout players in 4A

Dillan Baker Dillan Baker 6'5" | SF Salpointe Catholic | 2022 State AZ Salpointe Catholic 

Calvin Windley Calvin Windley 6'3" | SF Peoria | 2023 State AZ Peoria 

Breakout player in 3A

Weston Haebig Weston Haebig 5'10" | CG Sabino | 2023 State AZ Sabino

Best shooters

Andrew Camacho Andrew Camacho 6'1" | CG Peoria | 2023 State AZ Peoria 

McCoy Kelly McCoy Kelly 5'11" | CG American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek | 2022 State AZ ALA-QC

Jake Lifgren Jake Lifgren 6'2" | CG Centennial | 2022 State AZ Centennial 

Brennen Neal Brennen Neal 6'3" | SF Liberty | 2023 State AZ Liberty 

Ashton Reese Ashton Reese 6'5" | SG Pinnacle | 2023 State AZ Pinnacle 

AJ Riggs AJ Riggs 6'2" | SG Highland | 2022 State AZ Highland 

Other top shooters

Bryce Ford Bryce Ford 6'2" | CG Pinnacle | 2023 State AZ Pinnacle 

Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo

Tanner Pate Tanner Pate 6'3" | SG Mountain Pointe | 2022 State AZ Mountain Pointe

Deveraux Roberts Deveraux Roberts 6'0" | SG Higley | 2022 State AZ Higley 

Tyler Stegmeier Tyler Stegmeier 6'0" | CG Saguaro | 2024 AZ Saguaro 

Scorers 

Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite 

Jason Parent Jason Parent 6'4" | SF Prescott | 2022 State AZ Prescott

Styles Phipps Styles Phipps 6'1" | PG St Mary's | 2024 State #182 Nation AZ St. Mary’s 

Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian 

Elijah Saunders Elijah Saunders 6'8" | PF Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope

Tru Washington Tru Washington 6'3" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #61 Nation AZ Mountain Pointe  

Most athletic in 6A

Quincy Adams Quincy Adams 6'5" | SF Hamilton | 2022 State AZ Hamilton

Ky Green Ky Green 6'6" | SF Liberty | 2023 State AZ Liberty 

Mason Knollmiller Mason Knollmiller 6'2" | SG Highland | 2022 State AZ Highland 

Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S Maricopa 

Trey Phillips Trey Phillips 6'6" | PF Brophy College Prep | 2022 State AZ Brophy Prep

Most athletic in 5A

Jai Anthoni Bearden Jai Anthoni Bearden 6'6" | SF Sunnyslope | 2024 State AZ Kellis 

Carter Gittens Carter Gittens 6'5" | SF Sunrise Mountain | 2023 State AZ Sunrise Mountain

KJ Perry KJ Perry 6'2" | SG Hillcrest Prep | 2024 CA-S Gilbert 

Erenzo Scroggins Erenzo Scroggins 6'4" | SF AZ Compass Prep Black | 2023 State AZ McClintock 

Jaylen Wesley Jaylen Wesley 6'4" | PF McClintock | 2022 State AZ McClintock 

Most athletic in 4A

Anthony Batson Jr Anthony Batson Jr 6'3" | SG Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State #181 Nation AZ NDP

Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite 

Kyle Hubbard Kyle Hubbard 6'4" | PF Saguaro | 2022 State AZ Saguaro

Garrison Phelps Garrison Phelps 6'6" | SG Saint Marys Catholic | 2022 State AZ St. Mary’s 

Best Motors

Caden Hunter Caden Hunter 6'5" | PF Liberty | 2023 State AZ Liberty 

Tru Washington Tru Washington 6'3" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #61 Nation AZ Mountain Pointe 

Fastest End to End

Oakland Fort Oakland Fort 5'9" | PG Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope 

Yarell Greer Yarell Greer 5'10" | PG Higley | 2023 State AZ Higley 

Most Versatile 

Torin Bosch Torin Bosch 6'4" | SF Basha | 2023 State AZ Basha

Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S Maricopa 

Cody Williams Cody Williams 6'8" | SF Perry | 2023 State #25 Nation AZ Perry 

Best Defenders in 6A

Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S Maricopa 

Braeden Speed Braeden Speed 6'3" | CG Brophy Prep | 2024 State AZ Brophy Prep

Christian Warren Christian Warren 6'4" | SF Basha | 2024 State AZ Basha

Tru Washington Tru Washington 6'3" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #61 Nation AZ Mountain Pointe

Best Defenders in 5A

Yarell Greer Yarell Greer 5'10" | PG Higley | 2023 State AZ Higley

Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo

Abe Rangel Abe Rangel 6'0" | PG Centennial | 2022 State AZ Centennial 

Best Defenders in 4A

Blessing Nwotite Blessing Nwotite 6'2" | SG Paradise Honors | 2022 State AZ Paradise Honors

Garrison Phelps Garrison Phelps 6'6" | SG Saint Marys Catholic | 2022 State AZ St. Mary’s 

Cuthbert Tambatamba Cuthbert Tambatamba 5'11" | PG Desert Edge | 2023 State AZ Desert Edge 

Best Football Hoopers

Jeremiah Newcombe Jeremiah Newcombe 5'9" | PG Casteel | 2024 AZ Casteel 

Duce Robinson Duce Robinson 6'6" | PF Pinnacle | 2023 AZ Pinnacle 

Heart and Soul of a Team

Isaiah Kai Isaiah Kai 6'2" | PG Camp Verde | 2023 State AZ Campo Verde

Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo

Nikko Pentelute Nikko Pentelute 6'1" | CG Gilbert | 2022 State AZ Gilbert 

Jaylen Wesley Jaylen Wesley 6'4" | PF McClintock | 2022 State AZ McClintock 

Wildcards of 6A for a deep playoff run

Marsai Mason Marsai Mason 6'6" | SF Phhoenix Prep | 2024 State AZ Mountain Pointe

Trey Phillips Trey Phillips 6'6" | PF Brophy College Prep | 2022 State AZ Brophy Prep

Wildcards of 5A for a deep playoff run

Ringo Aguek Ringo Aguek 6'7" | SF Ironwood | 2022 State AZ Ironwood 

Isaiah Bronson Isaiah Bronson 6'2" | PG Phhoenix Prep | 2024 State AZ Gilbert 

Wildcards of 4A for a deep playoff run

Zander Kamai Zander Kamai 6'3" | CG Phhoenix Prep Post Grad | 2024 State AZ Paradise Honors

Julian Riesgo Julian Riesgo 5'7" | PG Salpointe Catholic | 2022 State AZ Salpointe Catholic 

All-Senior team

Dylan Anderson Dylan Anderson 7'0" | C Perry | 2022 State #88 Nation AZ Perry

Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite 

Oakland Fort Oakland Fort 5'9" | PG Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope

Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo

Nikko Pentelute Nikko Pentelute 6'1" | CG Gilbert | 2022 State AZ Gilbert 

Elijah Saunders Elijah Saunders 6'8" | PF Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope

Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian 

All-Junior team

Andrew Camacho Andrew Camacho 6'1" | CG Peoria | 2023 State AZ Peoria  

Carter Gittens Carter Gittens 6'5" | SF Sunrise Mountain | 2023 State AZ Sunrise Mountain 

Yarell Greer Yarell Greer 5'10" | PG Higley | 2023 State AZ Higley 

Arman Madi Arman Madi 6'7" | SF Brophy | 2023 State AZ Brophy Prep

Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S Maricopa 

Tru Washington Tru Washington 6'3" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #61 Nation AZ Mountain Pointe

Cody Williams Cody Williams 6'8" | SF Perry | 2023 State #25 Nation AZ Perry 

All-Soph team

Anthony Batson Jr Anthony Batson Jr 6'3" | SG Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State #181 Nation AZ NDP

Jai Anthoni Bearden Jai Anthoni Bearden 6'6" | SF Sunnyslope | 2024 State AZ Kellis 

Bradey Henige Bradey Henige 7'0" | C Cactus | 2024 State #192 Nation AZ Cactus 

Rowan McKenzie Rowan McKenzie 6'2" | CG Phhoenix Prep | 2025 State AZ Boulder Creek 

Styles Phipps Styles Phipps 6'1" | PG St Mary's | 2024 State #182 Nation AZ St. Mary’s 

Gabe Pickens Gabe Pickens 6'0" | PG Dream City Christian | 2024 State AZ Millennium 

Braeden Speed Braeden Speed 6'3" | CG Brophy Prep | 2024 State AZ Brophy Prep

Christian Warren Christian Warren 6'4" | SF Basha | 2024 State AZ Basha 

I want to mention 1 soph that had a great AIA season: (I did not view live) 

Isaiah Hill Isaiah Hill 5'11" | PG Premier Prep Tucson | 2025 State AZ Pueblo

All-Freshman team

Carlos Coronado Jr Carlos Coronado Jr 6'3" | PG Supreme Academy | 2025 State AZ Cooldige 

Bryce Quinet Bryce Quinet 6'3" | PG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ NDP

Zane Gaul Zane Gaul 6'10" | C Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott 

Koa Peat Koa Peat 6'8" | PF Perry | 2025 State #6 Nation AZ Perry (Pictured)  

Brennan Peterson Brennan Peterson 6'0" | PG Dream City Christian | 2025 State AZ NDP

Michael Simcoe Michael Simcoe 6'8" | PF Sandra Day O'Connor | 2025 State #217 Nation AZ SDO

Uriah Tenette Uriah Tenette 5'10" | PG Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott 

TayVion Wilson TayVion Wilson 6'1" | PG Sandra Day O'Connor | 2025 State AZ Kellis

Other freshman who had great seasons that I didn’t view in the AIA season:

Lex Clontz Lex Clontz 6'3" | CG Cesar Chavez | 2025 State AZ Cesar Chavez

Archie Graves IV Archie Graves IV 6'0" | PG Skyline Prep | 2025 State AZ South Mountain 

DeNali McNeal DeNali McNeal 6'3" | CG Canyon View | 2025 State AZ Canyon View 

Dylan Novak ALA-Gilbert North

Alexander Werner Alexander Werner 6'4" | SF Premier Prep Tucson Academy | 2026 State AZ Cienega