Preseason Team Rankings Top 10 in Las Vegas

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is officially week one of the basketball season and my preseason Top 10 rankings are here! I've been able to watch these teams the last few months and they sure to be state title contenders in their classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5A dominates the list, with 6 schools slotted in the top 10. Then there are two 4A teams and two 3A teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams On The Outside Looking In</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cimarron </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Legacy </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shadow Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Basic Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Centennial </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Las Vegas High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TOP TEN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Mater East Academy -</strong> The Knights lost in the state championship last season, but just about all of their rotational players are back. [player_tooltip player_id='1243526' first='Lonnie' last='Bass Jr']. has already grabbed a double-double this year, and I expect him to keep that up. Myles Williams, [player_tooltip player_id='1253143' first='Deven' last='Taylor'], Kobe, Robinson, and [player_tooltip player_id='2050195' first='Roman' last='Taylor'] are also reliable contributors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Arbor View -</strong> Arbor View may surprise some people this year. With Pharoah Compton is gone, they will likely play at a much higer pace and they have a few guys who can knock down 3's in transition. I also like the way that their guards Tremmell Darden Jr. and [player_tooltip player_id='1253130' first='Sebastian' last='Knox'] compete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Democracy Prep -</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1529852' first='Josiah' last='Stroughter'], [player_tooltip player_id='2374248' first='Dashaun' last='Harris'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1529853' first='Tai' last='Coleman'] will make up Democracy Prep's backcourt this season. Each of them are threats when they have the ball in their hands, as they can all create their own shot off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='1965364' first='Dion' last='Parker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1988381' first='Julian' last='Gibbs'] are their forwards, and are very athletic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Desert Pines</strong> <strong>-</strong> Desert Pines is going to have more youth in their rotation than usual, but the young guys can hoop. Two freshman that could carry the Jaguars to some big wins are [player_tooltip player_id='2374347' first='Aaron' last='McMorran II'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2468244' first='Jaden' last='Redding']. [player_tooltip player_id='2374347' first='Aaron' last='McMorran II'] is one of the best shooters in the state and [player_tooltip player_id='2468244' first='Jaden' last='Redding'] plays shut down defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Rancho</strong> <strong>-</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1253142' first='Jakoi' last='Lide'] and Jailen Childress are a tough duo to match-up with. Lide has unlimited Range and Childress can knock down 3's as well. Then you have [player_tooltip player_id='1587232' first='Ahmad' last='Koroma'] who makes hustle plays on both ends of the court. They'll be a fun team to watch this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Liberty</strong> <strong>-</strong> Liberty has a few quick guards in [player_tooltip player_id='1252347' first='Jaden' last='Riley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1538588' first='Maleek' last='Simeus'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2128311' first='Taytum' last='Webb']. That speed should make them difficult to stop on offense, and they should be able to push transition often. [player_tooltip player_id='1493480' first='Dante' last='Steward'] will be playing down low for them, and threw down one of the best dunks of the year last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Sierra Vista</strong> <strong>-</strong> Sierra Vista doesn't really have any weak points. They have point guard play ([player_tooltip player_id='1266705' first='Jevon' last='Yapi']), shooting (KJ Hunter and [player_tooltip player_id='1267555' first='EJ' last='Dacuma']), defense ([player_tooltip player_id='1253131' first='Colton' last='Knoll']), and a big man ([player_tooltip player_id='1281369' first='Xavion' last='Staton']) who can make game changing plays. In addition to their talent-filled starting lineup, they have guys who are more than ready to contribute off the bench. This group looks ready to go back to back in 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Coronado</strong> <strong>-</strong> Coronado will be one of the top teams in 5A this season. For them to reach their full potential, [player_tooltip player_id='1253129' first='Mason' last='Abittan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1335934' first='Lantz' last='Stephenson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1463264' first='Jonny' last='Collins'] all need to get it going at the same time. If they're clicking on all cylinders down the stretch, they could return to the state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Mojave</strong> <strong>-</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1268866' first='CJ' last='Shaw'], [player_tooltip player_id='1665140' first='Zacarrion' last='Jackson'] were on last years team when they went 12-13, but this isn't last year's team. And now both are seniors with more experience. Other teams better be ready to lace'em up when they face them, as it won't be easy to keep up with their dynamic offense. Then on the defensive end, they'll likely create a ton of turnovers with their pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Bishop Gorman</strong> <strong>-</strong> I have to put Bishop Gorman at the top of my preseason rankings due to their high level talent and athleticism. I recently predicted that their entire starting lineup (Nick Jefferson, [player_tooltip player_id='1965274' first='Ilan' last='Nikolov'], [player_tooltip player_id='2047786' first='Kameron' last='Cooper'], [player_tooltip player_id='1511462' first='Jett' last='Washington'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1315766' first='Christopher' last='Baudreau']) to make all conference teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->