Jan 22-26: ’26 Newcomer Forwards
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This week I viewed 10 games with varsity and JV games. The varsity games I viewed were on Monday I watched the Buckeye Hawks defeat Washington Rams 82-53. Tuesday I watched St. Mary’s Knights defeat Mesquite Wildcats 75-73. Wednesday I watched Cactus Shadows Falcons defeat McClintock Chargers 55-49. Thursday I watched Cesar Chavez Champions defeat Shadow Ridge…
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Continue ReadingThis week I viewed 10 games with varsity and JV games. The varsity games I viewed were on Monday I watched the Buckeye Hawks defeat Washington Rams 82-53. Tuesday I watched St. Mary’s Knights defeat Mesquite Wildcats 75-73. Wednesday I watched Cactus Shadows Falcons defeat McClintock Chargers 55-49. Thursday I watched Cesar Chavez Champions defeat Shadow Ridge Stallions 84-47 and finally Friday I watched Valley Christian Trojans defeat Ben Franklin Chargers 90-35.
Here were the sophomore newcomer forwards from the week
Emmanuel Angok Emmanuel Angok 6'8" | PF Washington | 2026 State AZ Washington (Pictured)
One of the longest players in the class from the state. The lefty can face-up to the three plus ball fake and takes very few strides to get to the basket. He can also rip thru and score with his dominant left hand. He makes most of his money on defense with rebounds and altering or blocking many shots.
Myles Liimatta Myles Liimatta 6'6" | PF Valley Christian | 2026 State AZ Valley Christian
A sturdy framed power forward has good hands and easy skill inside the paint. He will block shots in and out of his area with a long reach. He can score with his left or right hand and seems to catch everything thrown his way. He is a two-handed rebounder with huge hands and often uses his braun and strength to gain position.
Devin Morganfield Devin Morganfield 6'3" | PF Valley Christian | 2026 State AZ Valley Christian
A power forward has good length with broad shoulders. He is a plus athlete and moves well in space from end to end. He challenges everything near the rim and will block or alter shots. He keeps plays alive on the glass with a quick second jump. His free throw stroke looks good but is best scoring in the paint and catches tough passes around the hoop.
Jonathan Dargitz Jonathan Dargitz 6'2" | SF Buckeye | 2026 State AZ Buckeye
A long point forward type can make plays and has good instincts to defend. He will block shots from the weak side, throw impressive passes to his teammates with an unselfish attitude and he will score inside with his long arms. He is one of their future pieces.
Richard Harris Richard Harris 6'4" | PF Cesar Chavez | 2026 State AZ Cesar Chavez
A power forward who rebounds everything with his long arms. He runs well in transition and can catch passes to score. His defense on the perimeter and inside the paint bothers his opponents. Look for him to play heavy minutes on varsity next season.
Braden Miller Braden Miller 6'5" | PF Mesquite | 2026 State AZ Mesquite
A thicker framed post player with good hands and skill. He is a plus rebounder in his area and keeps the ball high. He will go up in one motion after he grabs the board to score. The lefty has a pretty stroke from the foul line and shows big improvement in one year.
Aydin Rauschel Aydin Rauschel 6'3" | SF Mesquite | 2026 State AZ Mesquite
A crafty and highly skilled wing forward. He has a quick release from the three point line and can get hot quickly. He can dribble drive into a floater and is a really good passer. He may not blow by you but will outsmart and out skill you. He is a strong two-handed rebounder and will block shots in his area.
Luwin Lazo Luwin Lazo 6'4" | PF Cactus Shadows | 2026 State AZ Cactus Shadows
A thicker framed power forward can score it with mid-range pull-ups off the dribble. He has a good feel for the game to make plays. He has big hands to palm the ball and good hands to catch tough passes in traffic.
Lucifer Pridget Lucifer Pridget 6'0" | SF Buckeye | 2026 State AZ Buckeye
A wing forward who transferred in from Youngker. He scores it effectively near the hoop. He will get on the glass as a plus offensive rebounder with his live body and a quick second jump. He is good in transition and will hit perimeter jumpers, albeit a little streaky.
Elias Ramirez Elias Ramirez 6'3" | PF Buckeye | 2026 State AZ Buckeye
A super active power forward with some springs. He rebounds, runs the floor like a wing, gets the 50/50 balls and can defend multiple positions. He has nice a free throw stroke and scores it around the rim.
Xavonne Kun Xavonne Kun 6'1" | SF Washington | 2026 State AZ Washington
A wing forward who is super active around the court. He is best inside to score and he has a good free throw stroke. He bothers his opponents around him with his quicker twitch, length and fluidity.