Feast Week: 2025 Standouts
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The week of Thanksgiving I watched 50 teams play (48 from AZ) from Monday-Saturday at five different tournaments. I attended the Coyote Classic at Central and Camelback on Monday and Tuesday. I was at Mesa HS for the Fear the Hop tournament on Wednesday,…
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Continue ReadingThe week of Thanksgiving I watched 50 teams play (48 from AZ) from Monday-Saturday at five different tournaments. I attended the Coyote Classic at Central and Camelback on Monday and Tuesday. I was at Mesa HS for the Fear the Hop tournament on Wednesday, The Valley Christian Tournament at Seton Catholic, Welcome to the Jungle at Gilbert HS on Friday and lastly I attended the The LV8 Invitational at Chandler-Gilbert CC on Saturday.
Here are some of the top juniors I viewed that I have not mentioned yet:
Michael Simcoe Michael Simcoe 6'8" | PF Sandra Day O'Connor | 2025 State #217 Nation AZ Sandra Day O’Connor (Pictured)
A power forward is getting more efficient from the perimeter. He is very effective inside with post moves using advanced footwork and strength but he will step out and shoot the three. A skilled shooter and a very good passer plus he handles the ball well for his position. He can side step off the dribble and shoot the three then will body you to score on the next play. He will also block shots out of his area.
Koa Peat Koa Peat 6'8" | PF Perry | 2025 State #6 Nation AZ Perry
Arguably the top player to defend had his way in stretches with dribble drives for multiple and-1’s and was cashing in on his FT’s. He is a very quick second jumper to rebound, block shots or dunk it. He catches difficult passes in traffic and will go up quickly to score. He is a very good passer off of double teams and his footwork and size is almost too much for most to handle in the AIA.
D’Andre Harrison D’Andre Harrison 6'5" | PF Perry | 2025 State AZ Perry
One of the more important players in the AIA with Peat getting so much attention, it will be up to Harrison to cash in. He did in this game with mid-range jumpers, floaters, down low hook shots and advanced post footwork. He will rebound at a good clip and block shots. His jump hook shot is hard to defend.
Amare King Amare King 6'5" | CG Casteel | 2025 State AZ Casteel
A bigger combo guard is a three level scorer. He can rise up from the three point line and makes all the reads a lead guard would make. He can throw down on the break and score with his bigger frame with layups, floaters or get fouled. He can post up guards and shoot over the top of them or make a play when he gets doubled. He also had multiple blocks off the glass impressively showing off his easy bounce.
Uriah Tenette Uriah Tenette 5'10" | PG Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott
A scoring point guard has the ball an a string for him and has speed and athleticism for days. He is a phenomenal pinpoint passer who can thread it into the paint. He has a next level mid-range jumper off the dribble with high elevation. He has impressive body control in the lane to score around traffic.
Connor Morris Connor Morris 6'5" | SG ALA Gilbert-North | 2025 State AZ ALA Gilbert North
A bigger guard moves without the ball to open spots and will hit shots from mid-range to the three. He can step backs off the dribble, side step and hit catch triples. He hit some clutch free throws down the stretch and he seems to improve in every showing.
Gavin Dabney Gavin Dabney 6'5" | SG Higley | 2025 State AZ Higley
A versatile combo guard scores from all three levels. He has the floater game and will hit the catch three. He has a high feel for the game who makes reads and scores. He passes it up the court to running teammates and rebounds at a high level for a guard. He will rattle in triples in the corners with good ball rotation and even throw it down on the break.
AJ Anderson AJ Anderson 6'0" | PG Paradise Valley | 2025 State AZ Paradise Valley
A strong upper bodied scoring lead guard. He is quick in the passing lanes which often leads to steals and a layup on the other end. He rebounds well for his position and his catch three point shot is polishing up. He is very confident and will lead the way for the Trojans.
Donovan Dabney Donovan Dabney 6'4" | SF Higley | 2025 State AZ Higley
A strong point forward type is a dimer and tough getting downhill. He is super strong to score inside with good footwork, tip ins, posts ups and fall aways. He will often grab a rebound in the lane and score it on the other end thru contact. His runner game is tough to defend with his size.
Zane Gaul Zane Gaul 6'10" | C Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott
A face-up five-man can easily step out and shoot the three. He will score on alley-oops, play with his back to the basket and is physical inside the paint. He rebounds well and his size and length are tough to cover.
Kaden Gullhuir Kaden Gullhuir 6'0" | CG Mountain Pointe | 2025 State AZ Mountain Pointe
A combo guard had a good showing. He scores it from all levels with the floater game and can crossover into a mid-range pull-up. He has a good initial burst of speed to get the defender off of him and can hit the three. He is a good passer with his left or right hand.
Ryan Nelson Ryan Nelson 6'1" | CG Pinnacle | 2025 State AZ Pinnacle
A strong upper bodied guard who loves getting downhill and shooting the three. He will score on offensive rebounds and he is an underrated passer since he scores it so well. He will be a big part of their success this season.