Easter Classic: 2025-26 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On March 30th I attended the annual <strong>Area Codes Easter Classic</strong> at North Canyon High School in Phoenix. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched three games consisting of five different teams where four were from Arizona. It was two 15U teams, one 16U and 17U teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here were the soph and junior standouts from the four local teams and 1 unsigned senior from Texas: </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333492' first='Michael' last='Simcoe'] Sandra Day (AZ Select 17 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top players in the class locally had a good showing. He scores it with deep threes, offensive rebound put backs, drop step dunks, mini hook shots but what stood out actually was his passing. He made a few eye popping passes perfectly to a teammate and can be a unique facilitating skilled power forward at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1301344' first='Kingston' last='Tosi'] Millennium (AZ Select 17 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tall and fluid wing forward is a long strider and easy athlete. He will score with catch threes, dribble drives to the basket, quick rip thru moves and even showed off on the break with a windmill. He rebounds out of his area and blocks shots.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1420942' first='Aaron' last='Vargas'] Eastlake/TX (Latino Select 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly skilled wing forward can rattle in triples one by one. He has a very consistent shooting stroke and quicker release. He squares up and lets it fly. He moves without the ball to spot up and score. The local junior colleges were definitely noticing the unsigned senior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1286023' first='Ryan' last='Burbach'] Brophy Prep (AZ Select 17 UAA)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top standstill shooters in the AIA. He is a catch and shoot three point gunner. He has an effortless shooting stroke from beyond the stripe. He is sneaky athletic to rebound and get to the basket.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='996176' first='Bryce' last='Quinet'] Notre Dame Prep (AZ Select 17 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A bigger point guard is the teams true facilitator. His court vision is next level stuff combined with the pace of his game. He uses his size, changing speeds and strength to get downhill to score and uses the floater game. His on-ball defense is tough using his size and strength.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1369213' first='Amare' last='King'] Casteel (AZ Select 17 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A Swiss Army Knife player who defends and plays the 1-3. He has a quick first step and can get downhill. He will fall away from mid-range and rise up with plus elevation and will play above the rim on the break. He will block shots off the glass and keeps his man in front of him with his length.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1381426' first='Luke' last='Wieskamp'] Brophy Prep (AZ Select 17 UAA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A hyper athletic wing with quick twitch athleticism and easy bounce. He can score with transition dunks, out of area rebound put backs and catch threes. He takes very few strides to get to the basket and will defend many positions for them.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2345483' first='Reid' last='Preston'] North Canyon (AZ Rebels 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A face-up forward who is versatile. He is a sneaky good passer and will score. He shoots it from the three point line and scores on offensive rebound put backs and runners.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2136401' first='Gavin' last='Lewis'] Cactus Shadows (AZ Rebels 16)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A pure point guard who can score. He will hesitate and throw the dime and thread it in. He is also a good passer up the court. He smartly changes speeds and will float it in plus hit the three off the catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2331638' first='Luwin' last='Lazo'] Cactus Shadows (AZ Rebels 16)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A cerebral power forward is a great passer with phenomenal hands. He is under the rim but makes up for it with his strength, skill and feel for the game. He can shoot it from mid-range and near the basket.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->