Season Preview: 3A Southern Region

2024-2025 Playoff Teams:   Mater East Academy (22-6)   Boulder City (20-7)   Democracy Prep (19-8)   The Meadows School (19-8)   Virgin Valley (15-11)   Pinecrest Sloan Canyon (13-10)   Coral Las Vegas (13-12)   Moapa Valley (11-13)     Predictions   1. The Meadows School - The Meadows School made it all the way to the 3A Southern Region Semifinals last season, however they ended up falling to Mater East Academy. They return both starters and rotational players. Including [player_tooltip player_id='2280840' first='Uzo' last='Nwapa'], [player_tooltip player_id='1817875' first='Grant' last='Moses'], [player_tooltip player_id='2447899' first='Alex' last='Hutchison'], [player_tooltip player_id='2812186' first='Patrick' last='Lewis'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2806804' first='Ryan' last='Kirk']. They will also likely call up some of their star JV players from last season like [player_tooltip player_id='2695186' first='Benjamin' last='Chilton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2695258' first='Ethan' last='Schneiderman']. Unfortunately it doesn't look like they'll have Cade Campanella and [player_tooltip player_id='2050108' first='Ethan' last='Fink'] to start the season, as they're out due to injury at the moment. In order for them to make my prediction come true. They will need to get consistent production from their starters, and their bench mob will need to perform when needed. At the moment they are my pick to win the 3A Southern Region.   2. Virgin Valley - Virgin Valley advanced to the second round of the playoffs last year. But they then lost to Democracy Prep. Some of their top players this season figure to be [player_tooltip player_id='2812171' first='Drew' last='Dixon'], [player_tooltip player_id='2348529' first='Corban' last='Waite'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2277065' first='Elian' last='Pinto']. They all saw ample playing time last year and they should be ready for even bigger roles. If they can all elevate their level of play, they'll be a very difficult team to beat. Like any team though, they'll also need to find other players to chip in. One prospect who might bring a spark is Isaac Noel. He stands at 7'0 and was on the varsity roster the last 2 years. They also have Jhett DeLano who got on the court a bit last season. Look for them to be a contender in 3A and they are my pick to lock down the #2 seed.   3. Boulder City - The Boulder City Eagles were bounced by Virgin Valley in the first round of the playoffs last season, despite a very successful regular season. Sean Pendleton, Luke Wright, and Aiden Birch were their top scorers and they leave some big shoes to fill. As they all averaged over 10 PPG. But they do have a few lengthy players returning. [player_tooltip player_id='2461217' first='King' last='Raleigh'], [player_tooltip player_id='2263758' first='Branch' last='Danko'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2280933' first='Levi' last='Randall'] all stand at 6'5 and taller. Which should help them a good deal on defense and rebounding. They can also all get a bucket in the paint and [player_tooltip player_id='2898353' first='Tyler' last='Bradshaw'] will give them some outside shooting. When considering their size and play style, they'll be a tough team to go against in 3A. Although I'm not sure they'll reach 20 wins again, their regular season should help them prepare for the post season. And right now I believe they'll end up with the #3 seed.   4. Moapa Valley - Moapa Valley lost to the Meadows School in the first round of the playoffs last season(Final Score 83-74). While they graduated quite a few seniors, they do return their second leading scorer Jackson Bunker. They will also have Caden Rawson back, who had 19 points in that playoff loss to the Meadows School. And he also contributes by coming down with rebounds and by dishing out assists. Outside of them, they will need some of their underclassmen to step up. Austin Reese (2027) saw some playing time last season and his height (6'4) should give him and the Pirates an advantage on defense. Time will tell, but I believe they can improve upon last years record and make the playoffs once again.   5. Green Valley Christian - Green Valley Christian has made the move from 2A to 3A. They will be led by senior, [player_tooltip player_id='2806769' first='Nick' last='Madsen']. Who will look to generate offense for the Guardians. He is a solid play maker thanks to his size and consistent shooting stroke. The Guardians will also have [player_tooltip player_id='2477814' first='Wake' last='Rolwing'] running PG, and he is a threat from behind the 3-point arc. If he and Madsen can play off one another, they should be able to keep pace with other quality 3A teams. Dean Cootware and Julian Walls should also be players to be on the lookout for. It may take a minute for the Guardians to adjust to the different level. However I expect they'll gain their bearings and they have the potential to make some noise this year.   6. Pahrump Valley - Pahrump Valley wound up with a 6-20 record last year and they failed to make the playoffs. I'm sure that they would like to turn things around this season. Players that could help right the ship are [player_tooltip player_id='2812190' first='Lucas' last='Gavenda'], [player_tooltip player_id='2813407' first='Jack' last='Toth'], and Keir Sheppard. Gavenda is a hard worker on both ends of the court and can score in the paint when he uses his quickness and footwork. Toth is more of a shooter and he'll look to knock down shots from beyond the arc for them. And then Keir Sheppard can get downhill on offense. The real test for them will be keeping things close, since they gave up around 55 PPG last year. But only averaged 40 PPG themselves.   7. Coral Las Vegas - Coral Las Vegas top 4 scorers from last year all graduated. Which opens the door for a good number of their rotational players from last year. Dominic Escobedo averaged 5.4 PPG game last season and he'll likely be one of their go to guys. They also have Jason Dolfinger and Jayden Orpilla who are are capable scorers. While they may have some growing pains, they still have a chance at going over .500.   8. Cristo Rey - Cristo Rey unfortunately didn't collect a single win last season. Going 0-15. They will need all hands on deck this year and hopefully they can pick up at least a few wins this year.     Top Returning Scorers   [player_tooltip player_id='2280840' first='Uzo' last='Nwapa'] - 17.9 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2806769' first='Nick' last='Madsen'] - 16.9 PPG (In 2A)   [player_tooltip player_id='2806773' first='Jaxson' last='Bunker'] - 16.4 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2477814' first='Wake' last='Rolwing'] - 13.7 PPG (In 2A)   [player_tooltip player_id='2050108' first='Ethan' last='Fink'] - 13.4 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='1817875' first='Grant' last='Moses'] - 12.3 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2277065' first='Elian' last='Pinto'] - 10.1 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2806429' first='Caden' last='Campanella'] - 10.1 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2447899' first='Alex' last='Hutchison'] - 8.6 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2348529' first='Corban' last='Waite'] - 8.5 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2812171' first='Drew' last='Dixon'] 7.4 PPG   Keir Sheppard - 7.2 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2461217' first='King' last='Raleigh'] 5.5 PPG     Projected All-Conference Teams   First Team   [player_tooltip player_id='2280840' first='Uzo' last='Nwapa'] - The Meadows School   [player_tooltip player_id='1817875' first='Grant' last='Moses'] - The Meadows School   [player_tooltip player_id='2447899' first='Alex' last='Hutchison'] - The Meadows School   [player_tooltip player_id='2277065' first='Elian' last='Pinto'] - Virgin Valley   [player_tooltip player_id='2806773' first='Jaxson' last='Bunker'] - Moapa Valley   Second Team   [player_tooltip player_id='2348529' first='Corban' last='Waite'] - Virgin Valley   [player_tooltip player_id='2812171' first='Drew' last='Dixon'] - Virgin Valley   [player_tooltip player_id='2806769' first='Nick' last='Madsen'] - Green Valley Christian   [player_tooltip player_id='2263758' first='Branch' last='Danko'] - Boulder City   [player_tooltip player_id='2280933' first='Levi' last='Randall'] - Boulder City     Best Of The Best (While some prospects could be considered for multiple superlatives, I am only putting them in one category)   Best Underclassmen: [player_tooltip player_id='2477814' first='Wake' last='Rolwing']   Best Rebounder: [player_tooltip player_id='2447899' first='Alex' last='Hutchison']   Best Defender: [player_tooltip player_id='2277065' first='Elian' last='Pinto']   Best College Prospect: [player_tooltip player_id='2280840' first='Uzo' last='Nwapa']   Most Improved Player: [player_tooltip player_id='2280933' first='Levi' last='Randall']   Best 3-Point Shooter: [player_tooltip player_id='1817875' first='Grant' last='Moses']

2024-2025 Playoff Teams: