Season Preview: 4A Desert League

2024-2025 Standings   Sierra Vista (26-5) - Now in 5A   Clark (19-10)   Somerset Academy Losee (14-12) - Now in the 4A Mountain League   Cheyenne (4-21) - Now in the 4A Mountain League   Somerset Sky Pointe (11-13) - Now in the 4A Mountain League   Amplus Academy (7-13)     Newest Additions To The 4A Desert League:   Palo Verde (13-8 Last Year) - Previously in the 4A Lake League   Faith Lutheran (15-13 Last Year) - Previously in the 4A Mountain League   Cimarron (17-5 Last Year) - Previously in the 4A Sky League   Durango (13-12 Last Year) - Previously in 5A   Spring Valley (11-13 Last Year) - Previously in 5A   Desert Oasis (9-12 Last Year) - Previously in the   Doral Red Rock Academy (6-16 Last Year) - Previously in 3A     Predictions   1. Palo Verde - Palo Verde beat Faith Lutheran in the first round of the playoffs last year. But they then lost to Legacy in the second round. Although I'm sure they would've liked to have made it further. They did gain a ton of experience and they have much of last year's roster returning. However, Zuby Toms (last year's second leading scorer) decided to transfer to MODE Prep a couple of months ago. But they did bring in a few transfers themselves. Including: [player_tooltip player_id='2128634' first='Brady' last='Robinson'], Fred Jones Jr. "Deuce", and Cam Banks. [player_tooltip player_id='2128634' first='Brady' last='Robinson'] is a sharpshooter from long range, and also brings rebounding to the table. Fred Jones Jr. is a bucket getter and playmaker. While Cam Banks can make tough finishes and hustles on defense. When you look at the rest of their roster, they definitely have a well-rounded group. As they have Ethan Inonencio running the show. [player_tooltip player_id='2325960' first='Tavien' last='Phoenix'] is a workhorse for them in the paint and can score second chance points. [player_tooltip player_id='1922278' first='Crew' last='Peery'] is another shooter that you don't want to leave open. Plus they have [player_tooltip player_id='2806931' first='Isaiah' last='Nangah'] who is 6'6 and he stays active around the rim. And [player_tooltip player_id='2656032' first='Gavin' last='Gaspar'] and Dane Duff who can both score or facilitate a bit. They also have underclassmen, [player_tooltip player_id='270420' first='Jordan' last='Contreras'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2919445' first='Eli' last='Powell'] who should he able to contribute if their numbers are called. Overall, there is a lot to like about this team and they have depth. Which is why they are my pick to win the conference. If they can put it all together, there's chance they make a State Title run.   2. Clark - The Clark Chargers got better and better last season. They then made a nice playoff run and took home 3rd place in the 4A Southern Region. This year's team likely has their eyes set on first place though. Recent Akron commit, [player_tooltip player_id='2418885' first='Devan' last='Christion'], will be their leader. He'll be very tough to contain on offense thanks to his height and athleticism. While on defense, he can disrupt and swat shots. The Chargers also have a couple of their top guards back: [player_tooltip player_id='2806939' first='Amir' last='Wright'], [player_tooltip player_id='2637173' first='CJ' last='Edwards'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2286675' first='Sir' last='Montgomery']. Wright is a senior who can control the pace of the game and he knows how to get to his spots. Edwards can facilitate things when he draws attention on his drives, and he's also a strong perimeter shooter. Montgomery is an agile guard who can get a bucket and he competes hard on defense. Another couple of players who will look to help out are [player_tooltip player_id='2286677' first='Andrew' last='Yeung'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1633205' first='Drake' last='Afe Passion'] Jr. . Yeung is essentially a stretch 4 that can give them some spacing on offense. And on defense he'll be a difficult player to shoot over. While Afe Passion Jr. has a nose for the basket and can score in bunches. On paper, they have the height, guard play, and shooting to play with anybody. So it will come down to execution and performing at their best come playoff time. Look for them to also be a potential contender for the state title.   3. Faith Lutheran - Faith Lutheran did make the playoffs last season and they went over .500 (15-13). But this team appears ready for even more success. Their chemistry and experience will help them win a lot of games this season. They have a 8 seniors who have all been playing together for quite some time now. Many of them also play together in the offseason for Team Decisive. Their list of seniors includes: [player_tooltip player_id='1895435' first='Dashel' last='Wiley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1962913' first='Bentley' last='Swinn'], [player_tooltip player_id='2877361' first='Charles' last='Hyde'], [player_tooltip player_id='1253134' first='Mason' last='Schweitzer'], [player_tooltip player_id='2474540' first='Cason' last='Tomsheck'], Brady Farnan, Gavin Beckner, Filip Manovich. Their top scorer may wind up being Wiley, who scores inside frequently and gets to the line at a high rate. But you can also expect contributions from Schweitzer who can get hot from downtown. And [player_tooltip player_id='1962913' first='Bentley' last='Swinn'] who can dunk and pour in jumpers. In addition to that trio, I think Hyde, Farnan, Beckner, and Manovich should all be able to score when needed. And they're also the type of players that don't take possessions off on defense. The Crusaders may have a few juniors and sophomores on the roster as well. Like [player_tooltip player_id='2147459' first='Neal' last='Pomerantz'], [player_tooltip player_id='2635727' first='Beau' last='Glusman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2520982' first='Reese' last='Riccio'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2619680' first='Ryan' last='Rowan']. They're can all shoot fairly well from 3 point land, and they've got some IQ. Even though they are currently my 3rd pick in the conference, they should be a dangerous team to face once it's the post season.   4. Durango - Durango has moved from 5A to 4A and they are now led by Devin Matthews (Durango Alum). Although they are in a transition period, they will still be a team to keep an eye on. They have seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2199605' first='Fabian' last='Gomez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2302752' first='Elijah' last='Outlaw McDaniel'] who both played big roles on last year's squad. Gomez is a great on ball defender and his combination of quickness and length make him a difficult player to score on. He can also get out in transition and he's not easy to slow down when he hits the gas pedal. Outlaw McDaniel is a solid college prospect, due to his frame and athleticism. He may need to take things up a notch this season for the Trailblazers on offense, and I also expect that he'll have to be a rim protector for them. Outside of them, they'll have some underclassmen to watch for like [player_tooltip player_id='2888804' first='Christian' last='Gonzales'] , who impressed during the summer a few times. I wouldn't say I'm ready to call them a playoff team just yet, but perhaps that will change after I see more from them.   5. Spring Valley - Spring Valley has also moved from 5A to 4A and they will be rolling out a very different lineup this year. Since [player_tooltip player_id='1965181' first='Angelo' last='Imperial'] moved to the Philippines and Kevan Wilkins graduated, the Grizzlies need to find some new producers on offense. Guys that look ready for the challenge include: Azea Melo Powell, [player_tooltip player_id='1494636' first='Nas' last='Green'], and Xavier Joliff. Melo Powell may be their most dynamic scorer right now, and he uses crafty maneuvers to slip by defenders. Then there is [player_tooltip player_id='1494636' first='Nas' last='Green'], who has the athleticism needed to dunk it with authority and he utilizes his height to score inside. Joliff will be an outside threat and he can connect on multiple 3-pointers if left open. The Grizzlies likely need production from rotational players as well, and they'll be a team that needs to be cohesive on defense.   6. Cimarron - Cimarron graduated 5 seniors and replacing them will be no easy task. They also have a new coach at the helm, Jacob Hernandez. Despite the changes, they should still be able to win a number of games this season. PG, Dakari Gill ,will be handling the rock. From what I saw at the Border League, he plays with hunger and he's got confidence. So he should help this team improve as the season goes on. They also brought in a 6'7 transfer, [player_tooltip player_id='2819431' first='Solomon' last='Anderson']. Who gives them some presence in the paint. There are also a few other players that figure to chip in. Like [player_tooltip player_id='2318705' first='Greg' last='Ward'], [player_tooltip player_id='2640643' first='Rashad' last='Moore'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2767004' first='David' last='Quesada']. Ward is a shifty guard that can utilize his change of direction skills to get to the cup. Moore is another forward for them, who battles for boards and he can get physical on defense. Quesada is quick with the rock and likes to get in the paint. By the end of the year, this team will likely have grown a lot. But there is no guarantee that they make the playoffs.   7. Desert Oasis - Desert Oasis went 9-12 last year and they were 5-5 in the conference. One player I expect to step up for them is [player_tooltip player_id='2806816' first='Devin' last='Kai Odinas'], who showed flashes of his skill and speed last season. If I were to guess, I'd say he'll probably be their leading scorer. Another couple of players who are on my radar for them are [player_tooltip player_id='2635483' first='Kamren' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2373866' first='Lorenzo' last='Crockett']. They are both creative players that like to attack the basket. But they can also hit jumpers. At the moment I predict that they'll finish 7th in conference.   8. Doral Red Rock Academy - Doral has been bumped up to 4A after competing the the 3A Southern Region last year. They return [player_tooltip player_id='2477816' first='Brennen' last='Cuello'], [player_tooltip player_id='2877383' first='Paris' last='Brown'], and Daiton Williams. Who were their top 3 leading scorers last season. The Dragon guards should help them go up against some of these more senior heavy teams. Cuello is known for his IQ, craftiness, and effort. Brown is a strong downhill driver, and Daiton Williams can connect on 3's and lay-ups. While their may be growing pains playing in a more difficult conference. Their players are sure to develop a good deal and that should help from a recruiting standpoint.   9. Amplus Academy - The Amplus Academy Archers were 6-13 last season and went 0-10 in conference play. If they want to improve and move up in the standings, they'll need to play as a unit on both ends of the court. I'd expect Faith Lutheran transfer, [player_tooltip player_id='1965270' first='Refugio' last='Caro'] aka Junior, to take the reigns on offense. He has the skill to create his own shot and he has the ability to jump start runs. They also bring back Jhayden Batangan who averaged 5.6 PPG last year.     Top Returning Scorers   [player_tooltip player_id='1962969' first='Ethan' last='Inocencio'] - 23.7 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2418885' first='Devan' last='Christion'] - 15.5 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2477816' first='Brennen' last='Cuello'] - 13.5 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2302752' first='Elijah' last='Outlaw McDaniel']s - 13.1 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2637173' first='CJ' last='Edwards'] - 12.4 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='1895435' first='Dashel' last='Wiley'] - 11.7 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2806939' first='Amir' last='Wright'] 11.5   [player_tooltip player_id='2877383' first='Paris' last='Brown'] - 10.5 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='1494636' first='Nas' last='Green'] - 10.2 PPG   Daiton Williams - 10.2 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='1922278' first='Crew' last='Peery'] - 7.0 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='1962913' first='Bentley' last='Swinn'] - 6.5 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2806931' first='Isaiah' last='Nangah'] - 6.3 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2199605' first='Fabian' last='Gomez'] - 6.0 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2656032' first='Gavin' last='Gaspar'] - 6.0 PPG   [player_tooltip player_id='2286675' first='Sir' last='Montgomery'] - 6.0 PPG     All-Conference Team Projections   First Team   [player_tooltip player_id='2418885' first='Devan' last='Christion'] - Clark   [player_tooltip player_id='1962969' first='Ethan' last='Inocencio'] - Palo Verde   [player_tooltip player_id='2128634' first='Brady' last='Robinson'] - Palo Verde   [player_tooltip player_id='1895435' first='Dashel' last='Wiley'] - Faith Lutheran   [player_tooltip player_id='2302752' first='Elijah' last='Outlaw McDaniel'] - Durango   Second Team   [player_tooltip player_id='1962913' first='Bentley' last='Swinn'] - Faith Lutheran   [player_tooltip player_id='2637173' first='CJ' last='Edwards'] - Clark   [player_tooltip player_id='1922278' first='Crew' last='Peery'] - Palo Verde   Fred Jones Jr. "Deuce" - Palo Verde   [player_tooltip player_id='2199605' first='Fabian' last='Gomez'] - Durango     Superlatives   Best Freshman - [player_tooltip player_id='2919445' first='Eli' last='Powell'] - Palo Verde   Best Sophomore - Fred Jones Jr. "Deuce" - Palo Verde   Best Rebounder - [player_tooltip player_id='1895435' first='Dashel' last='Wiley'] - Faith Lutheran   Best Defender - [player_tooltip player_id='2199605' first='Fabian' last='Gomez'] - Durango   Best College Prospect - [player_tooltip player_id='2418885' first='Devan' last='Christion'] - Clark   Most Improved Player - [player_tooltip player_id='1922278' first='Crew' last='Peery'] - Palo Verde   Best 3-Point Shooter - [player_tooltip player_id='2128634' first='Brady' last='Robinson'] - Palo Verde   Best Scorer - [player_tooltip player_id='1962969' first='Ethan' last='Inocencio'] - Palo Verde

2024-2025 Standings