Fortuna’s Final Top 10 Teams in Nevada

As the season comes to a close, it's a good time to take a final look at how teams stacked up across Nevada. There were plenty of highly competitive games, clutch performances, and teams that continued to improve as the year went on. While records and playoff results tell part of the story, overall consistency and the quality of wins also played a role in shaping these rankings. With that in mind, here is my final Top 10 teams in Nevada for the season.   1. Coronado (17-8) - Coronado sits atop the final Power Rankings, and for good reason. They went 6–2 in conference play before turning things up a notch in the playoffs. They were truly an exciting team to watch this season, and I think we can all agree that they delivered under the bright lights. Considering their star talent and youth, this is definitely a squad to watch out for next year as well.   Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='1490283' first='Amare' last='Oba'], Siyahe Siaisiai, [player_tooltip player_id='1707488' first='Demari' last='Hunter'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1463264' first='Jonny' last='Collins']   Key Players Set To Return: [player_tooltip player_id='2819205' first='Graceson' last='Snow'], [player_tooltip player_id='1406767' first='Munir' last='Greig'], DeVaughn Dorrough, Angelo Leareuax, and [player_tooltip player_id='2407333' first='Cooper' last='Stahl']   2. Liberty (23-6) - Liberty climbed up to #2 in the final power rankings after just barely falling to Coronado in the final (60–55). They were playing some phenomenal basketball once conference play began, and they ended up upsetting both Coronado and Bishop Gorman, helping them achieve an 8-0 record in conference play. Although they didn't reach their ultimate goal of a state championship, this team has a lot to hang their hats on, as they truly emptied the tank.   Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='1463237' first='Tayshawn' last='Caesar'], [player_tooltip player_id='1463230' first='Tyus' last='Thomas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1493480' first='Dante' last='Steward'], [player_tooltip player_id='2640655' first='Eric' last='Alisca'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2145851' first='Evan' last='Hilliard']   Key Players Set To Return: Taytum Cios-Webb   3. Bishop Gorman (18-10) - The Bishop Gorman Gaels were legitimately in contention to three-peat. After going 7–1 in conference play, they looked like a team that was as dangerous as any heading into the postseason. Unfortunately for them, they faced a Coronado team that essentially turned into a buzzsaw down the stretch. Despite the semifinal loss, I thought they had an impressive year, beating some other top West Coast teams. As well as winning several close 5A games.   Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='1266706' first='Tyler' last='Bright'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2370258' first='Dino' last='Roberts']   Key Players Set To Return: [player_tooltip player_id='2086139' first='Tyler' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2047786' first='Kameron' last='Cooper'], [player_tooltip player_id='2654821' first='Braylen' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2691549' first='Canon' last='Mullen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1965271' first='Hudson' last='Dannels'], [player_tooltip player_id='2450360' first='Noah' last='Grossman'] 4. Democracy Prep (14-13) - The Blue Knights had a number of transfers come in right before the year started, giving them a significant boost, especially after Josiah Stroughter departed for Utah Prep. But their quick guards rose to the challenge, and we saw them become one of the more electric teams in Nevada. In addition to their competitiveness in 5A, they also made some noise out in California at the beginning of the season, and they played very well at the Tarkanian Classic. Then in the post season, they got by Desert Pines and squared up against Liberty in the semifinals. However Liberty shut the door in the 4th quarter to punch their ticket to the final.   Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='1546226' first='Kaden' last='Lea'], [player_tooltip player_id='1667541' first='Mario' last='Allen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1529853' first='Tai' last='Coleman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2122232' first='Kaden' last='Arnold']   Key Players Set To Return: [player_tooltip player_id='2434274' first='Elizjah' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='2374248' first='Dashaun' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='1945840' first='Ien' last='Kirkland'], [player_tooltip player_id='2468244' first='Jaden' last='Redding'] 5. Desert Pines (18-8) - The Jaguars' season featured both highs and lows. They defeated the eventual 4A State Champions, Clark, early on in impressive fashion. They then went 2-2 at the Tarkanian Classic and won a couple of notable games at the Damien Classic. Once they got to 5A conference play, they were already pretty tested, which prepared them for the likes of Bishop Gorman, Liberty, Coronado, and Democracy Prep. Although they finished 5-3 in league play, it was evident that they could play with anybody. They then lost to DPAC in a barn burner in the quarterfinals, but they accomplished a lot this year.   Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='1707443' first='Chase' last='Robertson'] and Lavelle Lovelace   Key Players Set To Return: [player_tooltip player_id='2374347' first='Aaron' last='McMorran II'], [player_tooltip player_id='2588076' first='Maleki' last='Sims'], [player_tooltip player_id='2111894' first='Tyler' last='Merto'], [player_tooltip player_id='2634178' first='Kru' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1965276' first='Quentin' last='Stewart'], [player_tooltip player_id='2812155' first='Mason' last='Robles'], and Jerome Jackson-Sequeira   4. Clark (22-5) - The 4A State Champions had an incredible year. They finished with a 22-5 record overall and didn't lose in conference play. Then when it got to the playoffs, they showed their dominance, winning by 15 or more in the 4A Southern Region games (including the 4A Southern Region final). The Reno Huskies then gave them a good battle in the state semifinals, but they pulled it out. They then put their championship grit on display after going toe to toe with the Bishop Manogue Miners, winning 56-54.   Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='2418885' first='Devan' last='Christion'], Drake Afe-Passion, [player_tooltip player_id='3539777' first='Kingston' last='Young'], [player_tooltip player_id='2806939' first='Amir' last='Wright']   7. Bishop Manogue (26-3) - The Bishop Manogue Miners ran the table up north this season. They won the most games of any team in 4A or 5A, and finished the year with only 3 losses. Like Clark, they went undefeated in conference play and had a 12-game winning streak going into the 4A State Title game. Their forwards ([player_tooltip player_id='1741167' first='Kade' last='Snyder'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1953886' first='Connor' last='Sheridan']) were just about impossible for any team to contain. They also got scrappy play from their guards on a consistent basis. Overall, they were a complete team that had the pieces, but the Clark Chargers just had other ideas in the championship.   Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='1953886' first='Connor' last='Sheridan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1741167' first='Kade' last='Snyder'], [player_tooltip player_id='2145557' first='Liam' last='Sorensen']   Key Players Set To Return: [player_tooltip player_id='2449393' first='Eli' last='Benna'], [player_tooltip player_id='2286669' first='Veo' last='Dizon'], [player_tooltip player_id='2286665' first='Jamahl' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2449483' first='Aaron' last='Westphal'], Dylan O'Brien   8. Legacy (23-9) - Legacy was the team that surprised me the most this season. They started the season going 3-3, and it appeared as though they'd have an okay year. But the Longhorns then came alive, going 20-6 the rest of the way. They were led by their seniors, and also got some clutch play from their juniors. While it wasn't necessarily expected, they handled business in the 4A Mountain League and didn't lose once. They then continued to show their mettle in the playoffs, beating SECTA, Durango, and Las Vegas. But they then lost to Clark in the “City Final”. The Longhorns still got their state title bid though, but lost to Bishop Manogue. Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='3539687' first='Micah' last='Cazar'], [player_tooltip player_id='2806784' first='Zayden' last='Jeffries'], [player_tooltip player_id='1945332' first='Lennox' last='Grayson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3539734' first='Ethan' last='Hamm']   Key Players Set To Return: [player_tooltip player_id='2635490' first='Grayson' last='Williams'], Cordarrius Paige, [player_tooltip player_id='2288366' first='Jordyn' last='Perdue'], and Nehemiah Williamson   9. Reno (22-6) - While I wasn't totally familiar with the Reno Huskies at the beginning of the year, they went out and had a successful season. Going 10-0 in conference play and securing a #1 seed in the playoffs. They lost to Bishop Manogue in the 4A Northern Region final, but certainly gave them a run for their money. They then nearly knocked out Clark in the state semifinal, when they had a few of their seniors play some high-level basketball ([player_tooltip player_id='3539717' first='Crew' last='Higgins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1463215' first='James' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2807180' first='Eric' last='Platz']). Despite their efforts, they were eliminated. But they still made their mark, no doubt.   Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='2807180' first='Eric' last='Platz'], [player_tooltip player_id='3539717' first='Crew' last='Higgins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1463215' first='James' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3539725' first='Ezra' last='Sambrano']   Key Players Set To Return: Brock Schellin 10. Las Vegas (22-6) - The Las Vegas Wildcats had to be one of the most fun teams to follow this year, and for a variety of reasons. They competed in close contests, had a number of guys make clutch plays, and they played at a fast pace. Their strong regular season, earned them a top seed in the post season. And they took advantage of it, beating Faith Lutheran and Somerset Sky Pointe at home. They then had to go up against Legacy in the “City Semifinals” and were right there to win it. But Legacy made just enough plays to get the job done. Look for this team to come back with a vengeance next year.   Key Players Set To Depart: [player_tooltip player_id='1765906' first='Hunter' last='Iverson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2327731' first='Jakhai' last='Jones'], Malachi Dorsey, and Isaiah Simms   Key Players Set To Return: Ja'Cory Boyce and [player_tooltip player_id='2468405' first='Amari' last='Hinds']

As the season comes to a close, it's a good time to take a final look at how teams stacked up across Nevada. There were plenty of highly competitive games, clutch performances, and teams that continued to improve as the year went on. While records and playoff results tell part of the story, overall consistency and the quality of wins also played a role in shaping these rankings. With that in mind, here is my final Top 10 teams in Nevada for the season.