Team Preview: Sierra Vista Lions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whatever you think, an old-school, throwback, high school head coach should look and sound like, the image of Joseph Bedowitz undoubtedly pops into your head. The 20-year veteran, and basketball lifer, has contributed more to Las Vegas High School Basketball than simply wins and losses. As a coach, he's had the opportunity to develop talents like Jacob Hesse, Mason Michl' who is at Utah Tech, and current Idaho guard Dominque Ford. He has also served as a mentor to his assistants, helping them to gain valuable experience while preparing them for head coaching opportunities of their own. Associate Head Coach Eric Cooper, led much of the Varsity instructions, while the JV was coached by his assistants. While his delegation skills, give the impression of a fortune 500 CEO, the coach is not shy about being hands-on, when need be, as he quickly interrupts a drill to show the correct way to play P&amp;R defense. Bedowitz's coaching tree grew this summer, as former assistant Martin Solomon accepted the Head Job at Eldorado. After inheriting a 10-win program, the coach increased their win total to 16 in his first full season. His value was most tangible in close games, as it comes as no coincidence that SV was 6-0 in games decided by 5 points or less. The Lions qualified for the playoffs, and a home game, however, their run was short-lived as they were bounced in a heartbreaking 1st round loss at home against Valley. After losing so many seniors from that team, you would think that it would be a rebuilding year for the lions, or at least they would have to rely heavily on Sophmore PG [player_tooltip player_id='1267555' first='EJ' last='Dacuma']. However, the coach believes "We have enough pieces to win even if he doesn't play well". From what I saw, he's right. The Lions are a long and athletic squad, with 4A studs at the 1 and 5 spots. Bolstered with confidence by the experience of last year's winning season the coach is quick to remind me "This is not old Sierra Vista. In this article, we preview the 2022 - 23 Sierra Vista Lions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Returners: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1579535,"width":371,"height":278,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/EJ-Dacuma-2-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/EJ-Dacuma-2-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1579535" width="371" height="278"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1267555' first='EJ' last='Dacuma'] <em>5'10 PG 2025</em> <em>(#15PHN 2025) </em>21-22 stats 12.1ppg 2.8apg 1.7rpg 1.1spg - Hard to believe that Dacuma is the only returner that saw significant action. He was thrown into the fire last season, as a freshman and came up huge, averaging over 12ppg. He's looked even better and has shown flashes of being a dynamic scorer. The best teams in 4A usually have a dominant PG, look for Dacuma to propel his name into that category this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Newcomers</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1579542,"width":363,"height":272,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Rashaun-Hines-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Rashaun-Hines-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1579542" width="363" height="272"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1579543' first='Rashaun' last='Hines'] <em>5'10 PG 2023</em> - Hines will provide valuable senior leadership. The PG showed some on-ball defense during the practice I watched. In addition to his leadership and perimeter defensive skills, Hines will be counted on to provide additional ballhandling for the squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1579546,"width":363,"height":272,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Ethan-Nelson--scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Ethan-Nelson--1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1579546" width="363" height="272"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1579547' first='Ethan' last='Nelson'] <em>6'2 SG 2025</em> - Nelson swung JV and Varsity last season, so technically he could be considered a returner. The minutes he saw last season, will probably pale in comparison to the responsibilities he'll have this year. The wing has good positional size, and the ability to shoot it, and slash. He'll add backcourt depth and floor spacing to the squad, and was widely recognized by his teammates as one of the most pleasant surprises of the early season practice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1579550,"width":373,"height":279,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Louis-Mandar-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Louis-Mandar-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1579550" width="373" height="279"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1572800' first='Louis' last='Mandar'] <em>6'5 SF 2024</em> - Mandar is a transfer from Africa who provides the team with additional size and depth in both the front and backcourt. He's raw, but he has some decent skills, including the ability to slash, rebound, and finish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1579555,"width":377,"height":282,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jalen-Wright-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Jalen-Wright-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1579555" width="377" height="282"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1579556' first='Jalen' last='Wright'] <em>6'1 CG 2023</em> - Wright is a transfer from Texas. The lefty is another athletic wing player for the team, he had a nice dunk in their full-court scrimmage showing the ability to finish in transition. He gives them yet another athletic player to man the perimeter for the squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1579562,"width":380,"height":285,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Antonio-McCraven-2-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Antonio-McCraven-2-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1579562" width="380" height="285"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1356821' first='Antonio' last='McCraven'] <em>5'9 PG 2025</em> <em>(#26PHN 2025)</em> 21-22 stats 6.4 ppg 1.4apg 2.3rpg - McCraven is a transfer from Bonanza, who contributed to a good Bengals squad last year. His best skill is his ability to lock down on ball and according to his HC, going up against Dacuma on a daily basis has made both players better. He'll give the team another potential ballhandler, and when paired with Dacuma, could form one of the most dynamic backcourts in 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1579563,"width":389,"height":291,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Rylan-Alanza-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Rylan-Alanza-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1579563" width="389" height="291"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Almanza</strong> <em>5'11 SG 2024</em> - Alnaza is the epitome of a team guy, ready to do anything to help his squad win basketball games. When asked about his role he responded "I don't know my role yet, but (I'll Do) whatever they need. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Sleeper: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1579569,"width":396,"height":296,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Christian-Matthews--scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Christian-Matthews--1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1579569" width="396" height="296"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1579471' first='Christian' last='Matthews'] <em>6'2 SG 2026 </em>- Matthews is a glimpse into the SV future. I'm excited to see how the freshman performs when facing live fire. The 6'2 wing has good positional size and should help the team with his ability to defend multiple perimeter positions. Like most freshmen, his improvement from beginning to end of the season will be crucial to his development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Top Prospect</em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1579577,"width":393,"height":295,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Xavin-Staton-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/09/Xavin-Staton-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1579577" width="393" height="295"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1281369' first='Xavion' last='Staton'] <em>6'10 C 2025 (#50PHN 2025) </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year I had Staton as the sleeper of all sleepers, this year It's time to wake up. The 6'10 big man has improved remarkably over the last 12 months and may be ready to blow. He is a borderline elite rim runner, who combines a willingness to sprint the floor, with good positional speed. He plays with an energy and passion that is unique in young bigs. He's still raw offensively however he has terrific hands, and he knows enough to dunk everything around the rim. Staton is definitely a prospect to immediately put on college coaches' radars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CL8360nT7M","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CL8360nT7M </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->