4A State Preview: Sleepers
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It’s State Championship week! This year, the 2A, 4A, and 5A championships will be held in Las Vegas, while 1A and 3A will battle for the crown in Reno. The 4A Final Four features both new and familiar faces, as…
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Continue ReadingIt’s State Championship week! This year, the 2A, 4A, and 5A championships will be held in Las Vegas, while 1A and 3A will battle for the crown in Reno. The 4A Final Four features both new and familiar faces, as returning participants, Las Vegas and Mojave, welcome Silverado and Rancho. Let’s look at some potential sleepers this weekend.
Las Vegas is one of the smaller teams left in the 4A playoffs, so Stevens’ production will be key to their success. He doesn’t have to score much to be productive, if the sophomore forward comes anywhere close to his 5 rebound per game average, the Wildcats have a good chance to advance.
Simpson has been a steady under the radar performer for the Skyhawks this season. He does a little bit of everything for Silverado, including defend and handle in the backcourt. The fiesty pit bull style PG is capable of having a scoring impact, as he proved with 5 double digit games on the season, including a season high of 20 against Western.
Lochridge is good enough to have an impact even if he doesn’t score. The lefty will serve as a ballhandler, and facilitator, as the Rattlers go for back to back titles. While his offense may be a bonus, he automatically provides depth, and additional perimeter defense, in the Rattlers vaunted full court press.
Cousins is a talented player that played well in the Playoffs last season for the Rattlers. His ability to harrass opponents in the press, could prove to be pivtol to Mojave’s defensive succes.
Childress is an extremely talented offensive player, that could prove to be an X-Factor for the Rams. Rancho has two of the top scorers in 4A in R’zha Whittle R’zha Whittle 6’8″ | C Rancho | 2024 State NV and Jakoi Lide Jakoi Lide 5’11” | PG Rancho | 2025 State NV , but Childress’s offensive production could be the offensive spark to put them over the edge. The sophopmore guard possess some “It” factor, and seems to play big the bigger the game, evident by his 19 point performance against Gallup, to help them win an in season tournament.
Davis came up big for the Wildcats in their Quarterfinal game against Spring Valley. The junior forward finished with 19 points to help his team advance. Needless to say, a similar effort will go a long way, in helping the Wildcats if they are to defeat Silverado for a third time this season.