Season Recap: Southern AZ Guards Part One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have finished up the basketball season and what a regular season it was. After attending many games and viewing many streams I'd like to cover some of the top break out guards in the Southern Arizona Boys Basketball scene. These will include the 2027, 2028 and 2029 classes.</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-69d33c33c1ea6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ortiz was arguable the biggest 2027 stock riser not only in Southern Arizona but in the state. Ortiz is one of the more athletic guards in the state regardless of class. Ortiz received the following honors this season: 3A Conference First Team, 3A South Region First Team and was selected as the MVP in the 3A State Championship Game where he led Palo Verde to the first state title in school history. He averaged 19.6 points, 1.4 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. Ortiz was lights out from beyond the arc this season shooting 87/182 (48%) and finished the season with 567 points. Ortiz will hit his 1000 career points mark early in the upcoming season as he is already at 945 career points. Expect a lot of momentum to build in his recruitment this off-season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2506438"],"_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-69d33c33c1f1c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sahuaro needed some of their young guys to step up this season and Teasley answered the call. The sophomore averaged 13.8 points, 3.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. He was a dependable deep threat knocking down 36 percent of his three with 73 made on the season. Has a very strong knowledge of the game and is a very confident and disciplined player. Guards the length of the court and will out hustle just about anyone. Teasley was selected to the 4A Kino First Team in a season where he put up 373 points. Teasley has one of the strongest work ethics paired with great skill that'll place him on some radars these next two years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2834414"],"_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-69d33c33c1f6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Moore had an amazing season where he led the Cienega Bobcats to a 17-1 overall record, 10-0 region record and 14-0 conference regular season record. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.7 assists, 6.3 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game. His most notable game of the season came against Salpointe where he finished with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals while shooting 4/7 from beyond the arc. Moore was selected as the 5A Southern Player of the Year, 5A Southern Offensive player of the Year as well as selected to the 5A Conference second team. He accomplished 1000 career points in his junior season. Moore is a hustler who has shown to be one of the more impactful players in the state on either side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2990149"],"_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-69d33c33c1fac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Knight had a sensational sophomore season with the Badgers. The out of state transfer didn't take long to make a name for himself. Knight averaged 12.7 points, 1.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. He had one of his best games of the season against one of the top teams in the state, Basha where he finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Knight is a defensive menace. He is very quick on his feet, has a very high IQ and will force many bad passes with his pressure. Very skilled with the ball. Will cross his defender and blow by finishing at the rim or stop for a mid range pull up. A very dangerous shooter from behind the arc. Knight plays with purpose and will start to gather attention his junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2386958"],"_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-69d33c33c1fec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gill had a great season with Mountain View where he helped lead the Mountain Lions back to the 5A state playoffs. He was selected to the 5A Sonoran Region First Team in a season where he averaged 10.8 points, 3.3 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game. His terrific awareness and speed help make him one of the top two way players in Southern Arizona. Gill has great ability and discipline to control the pace of the game. Makes high level reads and is an extremely gifted passer. Great at getting his teammates involved. A high impact player who gets it done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2506450"],"_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-69d33c33c202c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Salter had a breakout season with the Sahuaro Cougars that saw him win 4A Kino Region Defensive Player of the Year. Salter plays every game with a chip on his shoulder and plays every second with something to prove. A guard who's hustle makes him the biggest rebounding threat on the floor in most games. He finished the season with 4 double doubles and finished with 10 or more rebounds in 8 games this season. He averaged 7.2 points, 3.0 assists, 7.6 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.7 blocks per game. One of his most notable games of the season game against region rival Ironwood Ridge where he finished with 4 points, 21 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. Salter is a very impactful player and plays very unselfish. Salter will take on a much bigger role this season for the Cougars and will definitely be a player you'll read a lot about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2396139"],"_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-69d33c33c2068"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the key pieces that helped win Palo Verde its first state championship in school history was the play making ability of [player_tooltip player_id='2396139' first='Kristian' last='White']. White has developed into one of the top defensive guards in Southern Arizona. White averaged 13.5 points, 1.4 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. White is another high flying guard for the Titans who had many momentum shifting dunks on the year. One of his more notable games came against Bourgade Catholic where he finished with 29 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. White attacks the rim with purpose and finished very well through contact. A high energy player who will look to get Palo Verde back to the state title game for a third consecutive year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2268365"],"_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-69d33c33c20a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A very under the radar prospect that I believe should be getting more attention is Del Rio. Del Rio is one of the top competitors in Southern Arizona and despite things out of his control I've always seen Del Rio play at the highest level he can. He was crucial for the Bobcats on their 17-1 regular season that saw him average 11.3 points, 4.5 assists, 7.2 rebounds and 2,5 steals per game. Del Rio earned First Team All 5A Southern Region honors while helping the Bobcats go 10-0 in region play. A very physical guard who can get to his spots and score well. Another player I expect to get attention this off season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->