Southern Arizona Region POY Watch List 1A-3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get closer to the end of the Boys Basketball regular season and closer to the post season I wanted to take a second to highlight players whom I believe to be in the end of season region POY/DPOY/OPOY conversation. I have included players I have personally seen play this season. Other players are highly deserving in these regions but I am only including players I've personally seen play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2396138"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6976fe74d7efc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At this point in the season Ortiz is looking like the favorite to win the 3A South Player of the Year. Ortiz is averaging 20.6 points per game and has been shooting light out this season. He currently has 69 three pointers on the season with 53 percent made. That is the best perimeter percentage than anyone in the top 10 for threes made in the state. He's a very disruptive defender who guards the length of the court effectively and averages 2.2 steals per game. Ortiz is a true three level scorer with gifted athletic ability. Highly impactful player who is leading Palo Verde to one of their best seasons in history. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2632440"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6976fe74d7fcb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stevens has been on a tear this season. The senior guard has shown his ability to score in just about any way this season. Stevens is averaging 21.7 points per game for the Sabercats and knocking his shots down at 44 percent from the field. He has developed into on of the most consistent scorers in Southern Arizona. He puts up on average a third of his teams points and despite opponents knowing this he still consistently gets it done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1986833"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6976fe74d8029"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McKinney can flat out play. He was one of the key performers that helped lead Pusch Ridge to a State Championship last season and is showing he's vital to another deep playoff run this season. He will eclipse 1000 career points in just his junior year. McKinney is averaging 17.7 points, 2.4 assists, 6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game for the Lions. McKinney can shoot lights out and is able to completely take over games. He has great awareness and has great athleticism. A first team all region pick for me and will be in the discussions for POY and OPOY. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1956213"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6976fe74d80a5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A dark horse candidate for 3A South Player of the Year and my current favorite for the region Defensive Player of the Year. Lambe has been dominant in the post against any caliber of team the Lions have faced. He currently is averaging a double double with 12.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game. Lambe leads the state in blocks per game with 3.2. One of the top players at his position in Southern Arizona. Can space the floor well with his ability to shoot from outside. A play maker on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3456131,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Carlos Acuna","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Augustine","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6976fe74d816d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Acuna is always fun to watch. Always plays with high energy and is willing to do whatever it takes to put his team in a position to win the game. Acuna will hit the 1000 career points mark before the end of his junior year. He's one of the better "small ball" offensive players in Southern Arizona. He's currently averaging 22.2 points, 3.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 2 steals per game. He has 183 field goals made on the season with 65 of those coming from beyond the perimeter which leads the 2A South. He should be highly considered for the OPOY award for that region. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"JD Whetten","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Willcox","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6976fe74d8241"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whetten when I have had the opportunity to see Willcox play has been the difference maker. He's an exceptionally good rebounder and hustles when he is on the court. He has helped lead Willcox to the top of the 2A South Region while averaging 15.2 points, 2.9 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 4.3 steals per game. He impacts the game at a high level on both sides of the ball and is on of the better overall players in the 2A South. A no brainer for first team all region who should see himself in the discussion for an end of season POY award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2404557"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6976fe74d82a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dobbins is capping of an incredible career for the Desert Christian Eagles. When its all said and done Dobbins will have scored 2500+ career points for the Eagles. He is currently averaging 20 points, 2.3 assists, 6 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1 block per game in his senior season. He has been one of the most consistent scorers in their region even after moving up to the 2A conference from 1A. Dobbins should be adding another first team honor to his shelf and is always an OPOY/POY candidate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2133645"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6976fe74d8319"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In his third season Smith has helped lead Gregory to now three Region titles. Last season he helped the Hawks secure its second consecutive State Championship. Smith has been dominant since starting his career at Gregory and this season is no different. He is averaging 15.2 points, 3.9 assists, 10.4 rebounds and just under 2 blocks per game. He's a dominant force in the post on both sides of the ball. A high impact player and displays top notch leadership skills. Smith in my opinion is the favorite for the 1A South Player of the Year award.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->