AIA Bench Mob

As the AIA season kicks off on Wednesday, I wanted to look at some important players off the bench who may make some noise and put their team in great situations to win.   Some of them will be future starters and are younger or some transferred into strong starting-5's.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Here are some important Bench Players from teams that may make an OPEN or Conference Run </h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2045282' first='Landon' last='Jones'] Ironwood   One of the top 5A teams year in and year out have a deep group of guards. Jones is one of them and he will come in and immediately put points on the board. He is a gunslinger from the three point line. He uses his size and picture perfect stroke to shoot over the top of the defense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1588005' first='Trey' last='Mckinney'] Perry   A power forward with some size and skill. Trey would start at 95% of the schools in the state and maybe higher. He is a top-notch 6th man who will score inside with nice footwork and rebound at a good clip. He runs the floor and will score facing up.   [player_tooltip player_id='1364143' first='Landon' last='Wilson'] Sandra Day O'Connor (Pictured)   The 6th man of the team is a sniper. He is a true sharp shooter who can change games and rattle in triples after triple. He squares up quickly and will fire away with a quick trigger. He will also give a sharp ball fake and drive right by.   [player_tooltip player_id='1770292' first='Malaki' last='Garnica'] Brophy Prep   Malaki is a defensive stud on the ball. He has quick feet with decent size for a guard and comes with some length and speed. He can score it getting to the basket and shoot it from mid to the three.   [player_tooltip player_id='2194808' first='Carter' last='Bagley'] St. Mary's   A talented freshman who will come in and put points on the board. The wing forward rebounds well in his area and can shoot it from mid to the three point line. He has a quicker release and gets squared towards the basket like you should.   [player_tooltip player_id='2257790' first='Nicholas' last='Topolosek'] Liberty   A talented sophomore point guard can make some plays off the bench and score. He plays a cerebral game and will spray the ball around. He will shoot it from deep and get hot quickly like he did at Cali Live. He loves it from about 17-feet and will be a big part of the teams success.   [player_tooltip player_id='1351130' first='Amous' last='Price'] Mountain Pointe   On a roster full of talented guards he may be their 6th man or even get the nod to start. Either way this kid will impact the team from making plays to putting the ball thru the net. His physicality on defense is the first thing you notice and then natural leadership skills and he will make tough shots from the perimeter or in transition.   [player_tooltip player_id='2559538' first='Notorious' last='Street'] San Tan Charter   Street is one of many talented bench players for the stacked 2A East Valley team. He is a top-notch defender and facilitator and he keeps improving as a scorer with quick drives and perimeter jumpers.   [player_tooltip player_id='2107122' first='Sami' last='Sibai'] Notre Dame Prep   Outside of their top player Quinet, there is not many true point guards on the Saints roster other then Sibai. He will take some pressure off of the other players and can come in and spell some minutes or play with Quinet. He can handle a press, make smart reads and hit the open J.   [player_tooltip player_id='2314553' first='RJ' last='Shepard'] Higley   The East Valley team has a strong starting five but when Shepard comes in, he gives them more athleticism, length and he is a true defender. He is great in transition and gets downhill well plus will defend multiple positions for the new 6A team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1494764' first='Brayden' last='Newton'] Boulder Creek   Another talented starting five in the North part of Phoenix in Anthem is the Jaguars. Newton's ability to play on or off the ball is a perfect fit to give energy off the bench. He scores with a quick burst to the basket and makes plays for his teammates. He will hit the open three and has quality experience already.   [player_tooltip player_id='2574815' first='Garrison' last='Bambolo'] Willow Canyon   He may or may not get the start but Bambolo will be playing sooner rather then later off the bench. He has great length and plus size for position. He is very athletic and will score with dunks, catch threes and inside buckets. He will immediately give the team some much needed size/length on defense.    [player_tooltip player_id='2280210' first='Joshua' last='Stewart'] Mesa   One of the top shooters in the program is a combo guard who can play on or off the ball. He has the green light when he gets in and will let it fly from the three point line with a nice looking stroke. He gives his teammates some space to work with but he can also pull-up from mid.   [player_tooltip player_id='1366580' first='Justin' last='Garcia'] Valley Christian   A veteran guard can play the point guard spot or slide over to the shooting guard with his skill. He is a transfer from 6A Basha and has been in big games before. He will shoot it from mid to the three, play strong defense and move the ball like you should.   [player_tooltip player_id='2533646' first='Ryder' last='Brainis'] Rancho Solano Prep   A true point guard who can score will come in off the bench and allow their top guard Quinlan to move over to the two and score. Ryder moves the ball like you should and sprays it around the court. He has a nice pull-up off the dribble and he can hit the three.   [player_tooltip player_id='2552772' first='Tre' last='Terry'] Hamilton   An eventual starter next year will earn his minutes off the bench this season behind some good seniors including his older brother. The youngest brother of Dalen Terry has his swagger to start his career and comes with a pretty touch to the three point line with real range.

As the AIA season kicks off on Wednesday, I wanted to look at some important players off the bench who may make some noise and put their team in great situations to win.