The Way Too Early 2025-2026 Preseason Top 10

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things are bound to change due to transfers or new kids moving into Nevada, but this is my Way Too Early 2025-2026 Preseason Top 10. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Bishop Gorman -</strong> The Gaels claim the top spot due to the amount of returning elite players that they have. Their seniors will be [player_tooltip player_id='1511462' first='Jett' last='Washington'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2370258' first='Dino' last='Roberts']. Then their trio of 2027 standouts: [player_tooltip player_id='1965274' first='Ilan' last='Nikolov'], [player_tooltip player_id='2086139' first='Tyler' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2047786' first='Kameron' last='Cooper'] should all be back. In addition to their upperclassmen, they have 2028's ready to contribute. [player_tooltip player_id='2370259' first='Terry' last='McKinney III'] was already a rotational player this past season. Then they also have [player_tooltip player_id='2450360' first='Noah' last='Grossman'], Deuce Jones, and [player_tooltip player_id='1965271' first='Hudson' last='Dannels'] who will all likely receive playing time. With all of their talent and depth, it's already looking like they could win their 3rd state title in a row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2.</strong> <strong>Centennial - </strong>The Bulldogs have a ton of talent coming back next year as well. [player_tooltip player_id='1253141' first='Jayonni' last='Durrough'], [player_tooltip player_id='1667943' first='Zyon' last='Harris'], Bryce Iwouha, [player_tooltip player_id='2881563' first='Cooper' last='Jenkins'], Jaeden Caesar, Gavin Ahlstrom and [player_tooltip player_id='1965273' first='Jaxon' last='Price'] will all be seniors for them. If they can build even more cohesion this offseason, they may be competing with Bishop Gorman in the State Championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Desert Pines -</strong> Desert Pines surprised some people this season by getting all the way to the 5A State Semifinals. Now that their youthful team has more experience, I expect them to become a more consistent squad next season. Their freshman: [player_tooltip player_id='2374347' first='Aaron' last='McMorran II'], [player_tooltip player_id='1965156' first='Mike' last='Taylor'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2468244' first='Jaden' last='Redding'] should all continue to develop. Then they will also have [player_tooltip player_id='2111894' first='Tyler' last='Merto'], [player_tooltip player_id='2812155' first='Mason' last='Robles'] , [player_tooltip player_id='1965276' first='Quentin' last='Stewart'], and Caleb Candelosas back too (all 2027's).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.</strong> <strong>Democracy Prep</strong> - Democracy Prep will be making the jump to 5A next season after winning two 3A State Titles in the last 3 years. They made it so the State Semifinals this year, before being knocked out by Fernley. [player_tooltip player_id='1529852' first='Josiah' last='Stroughter'] (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='1529853' first='Tai' last='Coleman'] (2026), and [player_tooltip player_id='1965364' first='Dion' last='Parker'] (2027) will be their upperclassmen. I also expect 2028's, [player_tooltip player_id='2434274' first='Elizjah' last='Scott'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2634164' first='Jayden' last='Howard'], to get on the court more often. Although they are a guard heavy team, they'll likely be a contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5.</strong> <strong>Liberty -</strong> At the moment it looks like the Patriots will have a majority of their team back, as they only had 2 seniors this year. There go to guys will be returning starters, [player_tooltip player_id='2642334' first='Jalen' last='Parker'] (2027) and [player_tooltip player_id='1493480' first='Dante' last='Steward'] (2026). [player_tooltip player_id='2145851' first='Evan' last='Hilliard'] (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='2128311' first='Taytum' last='Webb'] (2027) also project to be starters. Assuming they find a big man or another quick guard to fill out the line up, they should be a fairly dynamic team on both ends of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6.</strong> <strong>Palo Verde -</strong> Seniors to be, Ethan Inonencio and [player_tooltip player_id='1974915' first='Zubayr' last='Toms'] look to lead the way again for Palo Verde. They both averaged over 20 PPG this season for them, and took the Panthers all the way to the 4A Southern Region Semifinals. Unfortunately they fell to Legacy, but I believe they have the potential to make the playoffs once again and make a run. [player_tooltip player_id='2656032' first='Gavin' last='Gaspar'], [player_tooltip player_id='2325960' first='Tavien' last='Phoenix'], [player_tooltip player_id='2806931' first='Isaiah' last='Nangah'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1922278' first='Crew' last='Peery'] will also be key contributors again for them next year (all 2026"s). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7.</strong> <strong>Mojave -</strong> Mojave is going to be a very different team without [player_tooltip player_id='1268866' first='CJ' last='Shaw'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1665140' first='Zacarrion' last='Jackson']. However they still figure to be a fast, athletic team that can get after it on defense. Their man guys will be [player_tooltip player_id='1465681' first='Curtis' last='Coleman'] (2026), Ricky Bunch Jr. (2027) , [player_tooltip player_id='1638995' first='Aries' last='Denson'] (2026), [player_tooltip player_id='1668933' first='Phil' last='Gordon'] (2026), Jayden Luna (2026) and [player_tooltip player_id='1571006' first='Devin' last='Thomas'] (2026). I also know that they have a few 2027's who played JV this past season that will be ready for some playing time, like [player_tooltip player_id='2813385' first='Jeremiah' last='Cook'], S'marion Coleman, and [player_tooltip player_id='2813433' first='Damien' last='Glover'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Arbor View - </strong>Arbor View's current sophomore class will take on much bigger roles next year. They have [player_tooltip player_id='1945840' first='Ien' last='Kirkland'], [player_tooltip player_id='2053686' first='Cassius' last='Britt'], [player_tooltip player_id='2053685' first='Wilbert' last='Townsend'], and Ty'Jir Broxie. While it may take some time to sift out, I think at least 2 of those guys starts. Then they also have [player_tooltip player_id='1492605' first='Rylan' last='Hearns'] (2025) and [player_tooltip player_id='1765905' first='Dominic' last='Givens'] (2025), who will be the veterans of the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.</strong> <strong>Faith Lutheran -</strong> At the moment it appears that the Crusaders will have 9 seniors on their roster next season. Which should make them one of the most experienced teams in 4A. [player_tooltip player_id='2303381' first='Tyson' last='Price'], [player_tooltip player_id='1962913' first='Bentley' last='Swinn'], [player_tooltip player_id='1895435' first='Dashel' last='Wiley'], and Mason Shweitzer will likely be in their starting lineup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10.</strong> <strong>Clark -</strong> Clark could be a contender again in 4A. [player_tooltip player_id='2418885' first='Devan' last='Christion'] (2026), [player_tooltip player_id='2637173' first='CJ' last='Edwards'] (2028), [player_tooltip player_id='2286675' first='Sir' last='Montgomery'] (2027), and [player_tooltip player_id='2806939' first='Amir' last='Wright'] (2026) figure to be back. In order for them to find success like they did this past season, they'll need to find some guys who can come off the bench and produce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->