Bash in the Desert: All 17U 8th Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I&nbsp;attended the annual Prep Hoops AZ&nbsp;<strong>Bash in the Desert</strong>&nbsp;at the Phhacility in Phx May 1-3. I viewed nearly every team in the 17U division and came up with nine all-17U Teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Here is the 8th team</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gage Bluford PF 6'7 2027 Shadle Park/WA (Spokane Bulls 17) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A plus size power forward can face from mid to the three point line. He is very strong to get on the glass and score with offensive rebound put backs and throws his body around to grab rebounds in and out of his area with his sheer size and girth.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preston Dees PF 6'3 2026 Coolidge (O3 Elite 17) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A power forward with an unreal motor who seems to live on the glass. He is undersized at only about six foot-three but has long arms, broad shoulders and he is very athletic to spring up in a blink of an eye to corral the board. He will score with layups and earn trips to the free throw line. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2298905' first='Jorden' last='Etheridge'] Verrado (AZ Storm 17) (Pictured)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An undersized point guard is quick on quick. The ball is on a string for him and he handles pressure easily and will make players around him better. He will score with mid-range jumpers and bursts down the lane. He is tough on the ball and will take charges. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2412232' first='Terrell' last='Fair II'] Cactus Shadows ([program_tooltip program_id='2076648' first='Peak' last='Basketball'] 17 Rise) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A tough combo guard is a physical lefty who is a natural two-way player. He loves attacking the basket and getting downhill and scoring thru the contact with euro takes and speed dribble drives. He will defend the 1-3 for his teams and play aggressively. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2475408' first='Kyree' last='Harder'] Catalina Foothills (O3 Elite 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good sized combo guard is a natural scorer. He can fill it up with perimeter jumpers from mid to the three point line but hesitate and get to the basket and plays off of two-feet in the paint. He makes smart reads and brings confidence to the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1986833' first='Noah' last='McKinney'] Pusch Ridge (O3 Elite 17)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An athletic guard/wing can score it from all three levels. He can hit the three but likes the playing from mid-range and in. He will rip thru with a burst&nbsp;and score with and-1 contact takes using advanced body control combined with his next level bounce. He also can fall away from his defender and rebound well. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2506446' first='David' last='Mujambere'] Salpointe Catholic (Tucson Spartans Grind 17) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A wing forward who can play the shooting guard spot as well. He rebounds well in his area with some length and a stronger frame. The lefty can score with threes off the catch, tough takes in traffic and he seems to often get to the free throw line with his aggressive play. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314614' first='Powell' last='Perkins'] Notre Dame Prep (AZ Storm 17)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A stronger framed power forward is a defensive type of prospect. He rebounds in and out of his area while boxing out and using some athleticism plus plays the passing lanes.&nbsp;He will block shots and is a sneaky good passer. He scores with rolls to the basket and put backs off the glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->