Top 2023 Newcomers in the AIA viewed

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head into all the final-4 in many of the conferences and OPEN playoffs, I wanted to look back at some of the top newcomers that I did not see last year. Many of them I mentioned along my trek around the state. Some newly found seniors from 2A-6A that college coaches can take a look at. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Here are some top senior newcomers I viewed this season</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1273671' first='Conner' last='Aldridge'] <strong>Canyon View</strong> <strong>(Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A combo forward who can play inside and out. He can hit from mid to the three plus defend multiple positions. He can dribble to score with handling the ball some and making smart reads with the ball. He is more physical than your typical wing forward to battle versus taller post players. The twin brother of Cohen is a team player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1757944' first='Marshall' last='Kerley'] <strong>Thunderbird </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A decent sized skilled forward who is a natural scorer. He has a pretty looking stroke from well beyond the three point line with a fast trigger. He will relocate to different open spots on the court to let it fly. He uses his strength inside to score and play fundamentally sound defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1674512' first='Mason' last='Tippett'] <strong>Cienega</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long power forward is getting more serious with the game. He has made huge strides in the last couple of years per the coaches. He uses his length and quick bounce to block shots and rebound in and out of his area. His most impressive skill in my opinion is his ability to defend in space with his lateral quickness and size versus guards and then switch on the post players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1580480' first='Matt' last='Phair'] <strong>Mesa Mountain View</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A physically built transfer from Westwood is tough and skilled. He loves getting downhill to the basket and seemingly bounces off of his defenders almost seeking the contact. He also can shoot it from the perimeter and create his own offense off the dribble with a pretty good handle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1674514' first='Fredrick' last='McCoo'] <strong>Mesa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An imposing post player who is just scratching the surface. He explodes up to dunk the ball way above the rim. He comes with a mans body and will rim run, block shots and rebound. He is still learning some of the game nuances but a nice project to look at for the Junior College level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1695084' first='Sean' last='Akin'] <strong>Chaparral </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled face-up four man in Scottsdale. He can go on his own personal runs from the three point line firing away one after another. He gains position in the post and boxes his man out to rebound and runs the floor well. He won't make too many mistakes and shoots it well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1723629' first='Sammy' last='Roberts'] <strong>Trivium Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A 2A stud power forward proved his worth versus some of the better West Coast teams at the prestigious <em>Damien Classic</em>. He does most of his work in the painted area and my favorite thing is he literally sprints the court almost every possession. He cuts when you should, scores thru contact and plays bigger than his height suggests. He plays with a motor, he blocks shots and is a good passer for position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1570803' first='Devin' last='Blair'] <strong>Desert Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A long and lean sniper from the perimeter who can rattle in triples. He also can be that point forward type and make plays for his teammates. He can also drive it and score on floaters and he is one that seems to have his best basketball ahead of him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1674294' first='McGuire' last='Andrus'] <strong>ALA-Gilbert North </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough lunch pail type of guard can score. He is surprisingly very fast in the open court and will literally out race most opponents to get to the rim. He will play physical on-ball defense despite being undersized and fight you up the court. He can shoot it moving or as a standstill shooter from the stripe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->