First Half AIA Superlatives
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As we head into the second half of the season and players are becoming eligible, I want to dive into some of the standouts of the first half and possible game changers in the second half of the AIA season.…
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Continue ReadingAs we head into the second half of the season and players are becoming eligible, I want to dive into some of the standouts of the first half and possible game changers in the second half of the AIA season.
These are the only players or teams who I’ve seen so far live.
Top teams so far in OPEN: Millennium, Sunnyslope, Perry, Desert Mountain, Desert Mountain and Basha.
Top small school teams: San Tan Charter and Gilbert Christian.
Best games so far: Sunnyslope beating Perry 53-52, Desert Mountain beating Notre Dame Prep in OT 83-81 & Millennium beating Sunnyslope in OT 65-62.
Best player viewed: Koa Peat Koa Peat 6'8" | PF Perry | 2025 State #6 Nation AZ Perry
Best single game performance: Layfe Clarkson Layfe Clarkson 6'3" | SG ALA Queen Creek | 2025 State AZ ALA Queen Creek, Anthony Batson Jr Anthony Batson Jr 6'3" | SG Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State #181 Nation AZ Notre Dame Prep & Kaden House Kaden House 6'3" | CG Desert Mountain | 2026 State AZ Desert Mountain.
Teams to look out for next year
6A Sandra Day O’Connor/Desert Vista
5A Canyon View/Higley
4A Saguaro/Arcadia
Just became eligible and will impact the rest of the season
6A TayVion Wilson TayVion Wilson 6'0" | PG Sandra Day O'Connor | 2025 State AZ Sandra Day O’Connor, Tayson Stosich Tayson Stosich 6'4" | SG Mesa Mountain View | 2025 State AZ Mesa Mountain View, Rowan McKenzie Rowan McKenzie 6'2" | PG Boulder Creek | 2024 State AZ / Matt Delgado Matt Delgado 6'5" | SG Boulder Creek | 2026 State AZ Boulder Creek
5A Joseph Lindsey Joseph Lindsey 5'10" | PG Mountain Pointe | 2026 State AZ Mountain Pointe, Noah Sowunmi Noah Sowunmi 6'4" | SF North Canyon | 2024 State AZ North Canyon, Michael Payne Michael Payne 5'9" | PG Cholla | 2025 State AZ Cholla
4A Justice Hinds Justice Hinds 5'10" | PG Saguaro | 2026 State AZ Saguaro, Cezer Sotomayor Cezer Sotomayor 6'1" | CG ALA Gilbert North | 2025 State AZ ALA Gilbert North, Luke Danielson Luke Danielson 6'6" | PF American Leadership Academy Gilbert North | 2025 State AZ ALA Gilbert North
Stock Risers
2024
Christian Warren Christian Warren 6'4" | SF Basha | 2024 State AZ Basha
Kaelum Brown Kaelum Brown 6'7" | PF Casteel | 2024 State AZ Casteel
Jake Centner Jake Centner 6'5" | SF Flagstaff | 2024 State AZ Flagstaff
Aidan Schmidt Aidan Schmidt 6'3" | SF Casteel | 2024 State AZ Casteel
Jase Kooima Jase Kooima 6'4" | SG Williams Field | 2024 State AZ Williams Field
AB Mendoza AB Mendoza 6'6" | PF Catalina Foothills | 2024 State AZ Catalina Foothills
Nazir Richardson Nazir Richardson 6'2" | SG Gilbert | 2024 State AZ Gilbert
Gavin Bartlett Gavin Bartlett 6'2" | SG Shadow Ridge | 2024 State AZ Shadow Ridge
Jonas Cederlind Jonas Cederlind 6'1" | PG Perry | 2024 State AZ Perry
Anthony Bolton Anthony Bolton 6'0" | CG Dobson | 2024 State AZ Dobson
Connor Lamont Connor Lamont 6'4" | SF Williams Field | 2024 State AZ Williams Field
2025
Jackson Hunter Jackson Hunter 6'5" | SF Liberty | 2025 State AZ Liberty
Gage Bartlett Gage Bartlett 6'2" | PG Shadow Ridge | 2025 State AZ Shadow Ridge
Lamar Anderson Lamar Anderson 6'3" | SF Dysart | 2025 State AZ Dysart
Kenneth Hill Kenneth Hill 6'4" | SG Sunrise Mountain | 2025 State AZ Sunrise Mountain
Cristian Acevedo Cristian Acevedo 6'7" | PF Apollo | 2025 State AZ Apollo
Tion Wright Tion Wright 6'0" | PG Carl Hayden | 2025 State AZ Carl Hayden
Jace Olson Jace Olson 6'5" | SG Gilbert Christian | 2025 State AZ Gilbert Christian
Nolan Kramer Nolan Kramer 6'5" | PF Gilbert | 2025 State AZ Gilbert
Deshaun Johnson Deshaun Johnson 6'3" | SF Corona del Sol | 2025 State AZ Corona del Sol
Walker Stum Walker Stum 6'3" | SG Highland | 2025 State AZ Highland
2026
Rylan Parsley Rylan Parsley 6'5" | SG Sandra Day O'Connor | 2026 State AZ Sandra Day O’Connor
Will Gordon Will Gordon 6'2" | CG San Tan Charter | 2026 State AZ San Tan Charter
Ruben White Ruben White 6'6" | PF Maricopa | 2026 State AZ Maricopa
Diego Sarabia Diego Sarabia 6'6" | PF Queen Creek | 2026 State AZ Queen Creek
Prince Cash Prince Cash 6'5" | SF Carl Hayden | 2026 State AZ Carl Hayden
Mason Kendrick Mason Kendrick 6'2" | SG Arcadia | 2026 State AZ Arcadia
Adam Slater Adam Slater 6'1" | PG Hamilton | 2026 State AZ Hamilton
Rowen Pina Rowen Pina 6'5" | SF Basha | 2026 State AZ Basha
Justice Hinds Justice Hinds 5'10" | PG Saguaro | 2026 State AZ Saguaro
Brody Postorino Brody Postorino 6'0" | CG Notre Dame Prep | 2026 State AZ Notre Dame Prep
Brock Steele Brock Steele 6'1" | SF Seton Catholic | 2026 State AZ Seton Catholic Prep
Quincey Sims Quincey Sims 6'3" | PG Verrado | 2026 State AZ Verrado
Sergio Gonzales Sergio Gonzales 5'9" | PG Deer Valley | 2026 State AZ Deer Valley
Noah Van Fredenberg Noah Van Fredenberg 6'1" | SG Boulder Creek | 2026 State AZ Boulder Creek
Newcomers
2024
Jahlil Loyd Jahlil Loyd 6'4" | SF Tolleson | 2024 State AZ Tolleson
Sterling Knighten Sterling Knighten 6'8" | C Mountain Pointe | 2024 State AZ Mountain Pointe
Jadden Jones Jadden Jones 6'1" | CG Ironwood | 2024 State AZ Ironwood
Jacob Shimizu Jacob Shimizu 6'2" | SF Basha | 2024 State AZ Basha
Anderson Hatch Anderson Hatch 6'4" | SG Payson | 2024 State AZ Payson
2025
Drew Hall Drew Hall 6'3" | CG Basha | 2025 State AZ Basha
Trey Mckinney Trey Mckinney 6'6" | PF Perry | 2025 State AZ Perry
Zayn Young Zayn Young 6'2" | SG Dobson | 2025 State AZ Dobson
Myles Swift Myles Swift 6'6" | PF North | 2025 State AZ North
Layfe Clarkson Layfe Clarkson 6'3" | SG ALA Queen Creek | 2025 State AZ ALA Queen Creek
Stephan Miller Stephan Miller 6'4" | SG Liberty | 2025 State AZ Liberty
2026
Hale Hansen Hale Hansen 6'4" | SF Brophy Prep | 2026 State AZ Brophy Prep
Elijah White Elijah White 6'2" | PG Apollo | 2026 State AZ Apollo
Kyle Bogart Kyle Bogart 6'7" | PF Highland | 2026 State AZ Highland
Rico Blassingame Rico Blassingame 6'3" | SF Tolleson | 2026 State AZ Tolleson
Elias Riley Elias Riley 6'1" | PG Deer Valley | 2026 State AZ Deer Valley
Michael Atabala Michael Atabala 6'0" | PG Brophy Prep | 2026 State AZ Brophy Prep
Karson Reid Karson Reid 6'0" | CG Williams Field | 2026 State AZ Williams Field
Joe Miller Joe Miller 6'5" | PF Saguaro | 2026 State AZ Saguaro
Best Shooters Viewed
2024
Noah Gifft Noah Gifft 6'2" | SG Ironwood | 2024 State AZ Ironwood
Sabien Cain Sabien Cain 6'2" | CG Millennium | 2024 State AZ Millennium
Cameron Kroeger Cameron Kroeger 6'2" | CG Catalina Foothills | 2024 State AZ Catalina Foothills
Jase Kooima Jase Kooima 6'4" | SG Williams Field | 2024 State AZ Williams Field
Gavin Bartlett Gavin Bartlett 6'2" | SG Shadow Ridge | 2024 State AZ Shadow Ridge
Keon Talgo Keon Talgo 6'3" | SF Gilbert Christian | 2024 State AZ Gilbert Christian
Cullen Schreiner Cullen Schreiner 6'6" | SF Basha | 2025 State AZ Basha
2025
Ryan Burbach Ryan Burbach 6'3" | SG Brophy Prep | 2025 State AZ Brophy Prep
Uriah Tenette Uriah Tenette 5'10" | PG Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott
Bryce Quinet Bryce Quinet 6'3" | PG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ Notre Dame Prep
Adam Hubbard Adam Hubbard 6'4" | CG Canyon View | 2025 State AZ Canyon View
Lex Clontz Lex Clontz 6'3" | CG Cesar Chavez | 2025 State AZ Cesar Chavez
Gavin Dabney Gavin Dabney 6'5" | SG Higley | 2025 State AZ Higley
Connor Morris Connor Morris 6'5" | SG ALA Gilbert-North | 2025 State AZ ALA Gilbert North
Jackson Hunter Jackson Hunter 6'5" | SF Liberty | 2025 State AZ Liberty
Brennan Peterson Brennan Peterson 6'0" | PG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ Notre Dame Prep
Layfe Clarkson Layfe Clarkson 6'3" | SG ALA Queen Creek | 2025 State AZ ALA Queen Creek
2026
Noah Gloor Noah Gloor 5'9" | PG Higley | 2026 State AZ Higley
Joshua McManaway Joshua McManaway 6'3" | SG McClintock | 2026 State AZ McClintock
John Mattingly John Mattingly 6'0" | PG Sunnyslope | 2026 State AZ Sunnyslope
Brayden Barrett Brayden Barrett 6'5" | SF Millennium | 2026 State AZ Millennium
Ethan Hayes Ethan Hayes 6'2" | SG Horizon | 2026 State AZ Horizon
Best Athletes Viewed
2024
Anthony Batson Jr Anthony Batson Jr 6'3" | SG Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State #181 Nation AZ Notre Dame Prep
Ring Nyeri Ring Nyeri 6'8" | PF Liberty | 2024 State #256 Nation AZ Liberty
Presley Ibeh Presley Ibeh 6'5" | SF Highland Prep | 2024 State AZ Highland Prep
Jake Centner Jake Centner 6'5" | SF Flagstaff | 2024 State AZ Flagstaff
Aligo Banja Aligo Banja 6'6" | PF Central | 2024 State AZ Central
2025
Koa Peat Koa Peat 6'8" | PF Perry | 2025 State #6 Nation AZ Perry
Uriah Tenette Uriah Tenette 5'10" | PG Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott
Will Feagles Will Feagles 6'3" | SG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ Notre Dame Prep
Stephan Miller Stephan Miller 6'4" | SG Liberty | 2025 State AZ Liberty
Makai Frazier-Taylor Makai Frazier-Taylor 5'10" | CG Hamilton | 2025 State AZ Hamilton
2026
Cameron Holmes Cameron Holmes 6'5" | SF Millennium | 2026 State AZ Millennium
Mason Magee Mason Magee 6'0" | PG Basha | 2026 State AZ Basha
Colton Watson Colton Watson 6'6" | SF Sandra Day O’Connor | 2026 State AZ Sandra Day O’Connor
Rider Portela Rider Portela 6'5" | SG Sunnyslope | 2026 State AZ Sunnyslope
Elijah Summers-Livingston Elijah Summers-Livingston 6'7" | PF Basha | 2026 State AZ Basha
Rico Blassingame Rico Blassingame 6'3" | SF Tolleson | 2026 State AZ Tolleson
Most Versatile
2024
Ring Nyeri Ring Nyeri 6'8" | PF Liberty | 2024 State #256 Nation AZ Liberty
Jai Anthoni Bearden Jai Anthoni Bearden 6'6" | SF Sunnyslope | 2024 State AZ Sunnyslope
AJ Ajawin AJ Ajawin 6'7" | PF Deer Valley | 2024 State AZ Deer Valley
Taimari Jones Taimari Jones 6'6" | PF McClintock | 2024 State AZ McClintock
Aidan Schmidt Aidan Schmidt 6'3" | SF Casteel | 2024 State AZ Casteel
2025
Koa Peat Koa Peat 6'8" | PF Perry | 2025 State #6 Nation AZ Perry
Michael Simcoe Michael Simcoe 6'8" | PF Sandra Day O'Connor | 2025 State #217 Nation AZ Sandra Day O’Connor
Kingston Tosi Kingston Tosi 6'7" | SF Millennium | 2025 State AZ Millennium
Andrew Bhesania Andrew Bhesania 6'8" | PF Boulder Creek | 2025 State #348 Nation AZ Boulder Creek
Amare King Amare King 6'5" | CG Casteel | 2025 State AZ Casteel
D’Andre Harrison D’Andre Harrison 6'5" | PF Perry | 2025 State AZ Perry
DeNali McNeal DeNali McNeal 6'3" | CG Canyon View | 2025 State AZ Canyon View
2026
Colton Watson Colton Watson 6'6" | SF Sandra Day O’Connor | 2026 State AZ Sandra Day O’Connor
Cameron Holmes Cameron Holmes 6'5" | SF Millennium | 2026 State AZ Millennium
Matt Delgado Matt Delgado 6'5" | SG Boulder Creek | 2026 State AZ Boulder Creek
Desean Middlebrook Desean Middlebrook 6'3" | SF Mesquite | 2026 State AZ Mesquite
10 Freshman on varsity who stood out so far that are not already ranked
Nick Reber Nick Reber 6'2" | CG Highland | 2027 State AZ Highland
Jacob Hunter Jacob Hunter 6'3" | SG Liberty | 2027 State AZ Liberty
Brock Knee Brock Knee 6'3" | SG Arcadia | 2027 State AZ Arcadia
Nicholas Topolosek Nicholas Topolosek 6'1" | PG Liberty | 2027 State AZ Liberty
Joshua Stewart Joshua Stewart 5'11" | CG Mesa | 2027 State AZ Mesa
Daijon Grayson Daijon Grayson 5'11" | PG Mesa | 2027 State AZ Mesa
Caron Perez Caron Perez 6'0" | CG Hamilton | 2027 State AZ Hamilton
Adam Medina Adam Medina 6'5" | PF Williams Field | 2027 State AZ Williams Field
Jackson Moore Jackson Moore 5'11" | PG Cienega | 2027 State AZ Cienega
Tyson Crandall Tyson Crandall 5'10" | PG Highland | 2027 State AZ Highland
Top-10 Standouts in Tucson for 1st half of the season with a little help from John Millyard.
Cisco Llamas Cisco Llamas 5'7" | PG Sahuaro | 2026 State AZ Sahuaro
Isaiah Berg Isaiah Berg 6'7" | PF Mica Mountain | 2024 State AZ Mica Mountain
William Dixion III William Dixion III 6'2" | CG Canyon Del Oro | 2024 State AZ Canyon Del Oro
Tyson Dobbins Desert Christian
Cyree Jenkins Cyree Jenkins 5'10" | PG Cholla | 2025 State AZ Cholla
Jerry Mendoza Cholla
Daniel Ortiz Daniel Ortiz 5'11" | SG Palo Verde | 2025 State AZ Palo Verde
Jaden Rodgers Jaden Rodgers 6'2" | SG Cienega | 2026 State AZ Cienega
Ashton Romney Ashton Romney 6'5" | SG Walden Grove | 2024 State AZ Walden Grove
Razin Smith Jr Razin Smith Jr 6'5" | PF The Gregory School | 2027 State AZ The Gregory School