4A Mountain Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Standings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Faith Lutheran High School -</strong> <em>10-0 (20-6 Overall)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Valley High School - </strong><em>6-4 (10-17 Overall)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Green Valley High School -</strong> <em>6-4 (10-11 Overall)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Basic Academy -</strong> <em>5-5 (12-13 Overall)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sunrise Mountain High School - </strong><em>3-7 (7-16 Overall)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bonanza High School -</strong> <em>0-10 (2-16 Overall)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>2024-25 Standings Predictions<br><br>1.</strong> <strong>Basic Academy</strong> <strong>-</strong> Basic added arguably the best transfer in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1490283' first='Amare' last='Oba']. In addition to Oba, Basic returns [player_tooltip player_id='2240785' first='Kenny' last='Williams'], Ja'Mari Cottingham, Dax Michael-Salenc, and [player_tooltip player_id='2281561' first='KJ' last='Bentz']. They are still in the process of finding their team chemistry, but I believe that they have the talent to run the table in the 4A Mountain Conference. If they can gel more as the season goes on, I expect them to go deep into the 4A playoffs. <br><br><strong>2. Faith Lutheran High School</strong> <strong>-</strong> Faith Lutheran lost many of their key players from last year, so they will need some of their underclassmen to contribute much more this season. Juniors, [player_tooltip player_id='1962913' first='Bentley' last='Swinn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2303381' first='Tyson' last='Price'], have both impressed me in preseason games that I've seen them play. In order for Faith to claim the top spot again, they may need [player_tooltip player_id='1965270' first='Refugio' last='Caro'], Cason Tomscheck and a few other guys to step up as well. <br><br><strong>3. Valley High School</strong> <strong>-</strong> Valley High School may look to some of their new players, [player_tooltip player_id='1965161' first='Khai' last='Ewell'] and Nick Odom, to lead the team this year. [player_tooltip player_id='1965161' first='Khai' last='Ewell'] is a very strong rebounder, and Nick Odom is likely going to be named one of the top freshman in the state when the 2028 rankings are released. [player_tooltip player_id='1496675' first='Laronte' last='Johnson'] also returns, and will be running the point for Valley. Their youth may be a disadvantage at the beginning of the season, but they'll likely look more experienced once it hits late January.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Green Valley High School</strong> <strong>-</strong> Green Valley didn't have the best showings in the Varsity Fall League, but they can definitely get things right by the time the season starts. Gaston Zumaya was the league's leading scorer last season, and I would bet that he does the same this year. If guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2672432' first='Deymien' last='Tunis'], Gasim Yousef, and Da'Quan Brown can score consistently, Green Valley may be able to move up this list. <br><br><strong>5.</strong> <strong>Sunrise Mountain High School</strong> <strong>-</strong> Sunrise Mountain graduated 3 of their top 5 scorers from last season. [player_tooltip player_id='1974962' first='Brice' last='Wilson'] (Junior) and [player_tooltip player_id='1937500' first='Jason' last='Whitfield'] (Junior) project to be their leading scorers this year. It will be an uphill battle against most of these teams. But they may be able to steal some conference wins here and there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Bonanza High School</strong> <strong>-</strong> Bonanza didn't win a single conference game last year, and had just 2 wins the entire season. [player_tooltip player_id='1486117' first='Joshua' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1667350' first='Justin' last='Johnson'] will look to turn things around this season. Hopefully they can pick up a few more wins, but they are a long shot to make the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Top Returning Scorers</strong><br>Gaston Zumaya - 16.6 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1974962' first='Brice' last='Wilson'] - 13.4 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Da'Quan Brown - 10.3 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1373157' first='Xavier' last='Shufford'] - 7.8 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2672432' first='Deymien' last='Tunis'] - 7.7 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2303381' first='Tyson' last='Price'] - 6.9 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2240785' first='Kenny' last='Williams'] - 6.5 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1496675' first='Laronte' last='Johnson'] - 6.1 PPG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Projected All-Conference Teams<br>First Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaston Zumaya - Green Valley High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1962913' first='Bentley' last='Swinn'] - Faith Lutheran High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ja'Mari Cottingham - Basic Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1490283' first='Amare' last='Oba'] - Basic Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1895435' first='Dashel' last='Wiley'] - Faith Lutheran High School<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Second Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2240785' first='Kenny' last='Williams'] - Basic Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2303381' first='Tyson' last='Price'] - Faith Lutheran High School </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2412305' first='Nick' last='Odum'] - Valley High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1965161' first='Khai' last='Ewell'] - Valley High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TJ Edmonds - Basic High School<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best of the Best</strong><br><br><strong>Best Shooter:</strong>&nbsp;Gaston Zumaya <br><strong>Best Rebounder:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1895435' first='Dashel' last='Wiley']<br><strong>Best Defender:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2412305' first='Nick' last='Odum']<br><strong>Best College Prospect:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1490283' first='Amare' last='Oba']<br><strong>Most Improved Player:</strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='2240785' first='Kenny' last='Williams'] </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->