Early Look: 5A State Championship Contenders

It has been over a month since Section 7 and the Nevada Live Invitational, where we got to see a glimpse of how all of 5A contenders are shaping up. With the start of school just around the corner now, I decided now would be a great opportunity to write about teams that may be in the hunt for a 5A State Championship in 2027.   (This list can certainly change in the coming months leading up to the official start of the 2026-2027 season)   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Coronado Cougars (2025-2026 Record: 17-8 Overall, 6-2 in 5A)   Can the reigning champs repeat? As of now I believe it's safe to say the Cougars will absolutely be in the hunt for their second 5A State Championship. They will have top recruits [player_tooltip player_id='1406767' first='Munir' last='Greig'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2484289' first='Devaughn' last='Dorrough'] both back. [player_tooltip player_id='1406767' first='Munir' last='Greig'] is a matchup problem at the guard position due to his speed, strength, and finishing skills. While [player_tooltip player_id='2484289' first='Devaughn' last='Dorrough'] supplies them with real scoring and rebounding punch. Although the forward has been out all summer, he should be back on the court this fall. In addition to that duo, the Cougars will also have transfers: [player_tooltip player_id='2895483' first='Ean' last='Britt'], [player_tooltip player_id='2374248' first='Dashaun' last='Harris'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2280428' first='Jaylan' last='Virgil'] ready to contribute. Each of them are above average athletes who can change the game with the scoring prowess and competitiveness. Then they also have guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2819205' first='Graceson' last='Snow'], [player_tooltip player_id='2407333' first='Cooper' last='Stahl'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2888920' first='Logan' last='Svendson'] who can come in help out. Overall, there is talent top to bottom on their roster, and they have many of the pieces needed to win in conference play and in the post season.   Desert Pines Jaguars (2025-2026 Record: 18-8 Overall, 5-3 in 5A)   The Desert Pines Jaguars are sure to be hungry for a deeper playoff run after being ousted in the first round by the Democracy Prep Blue Knights this past season. [player_tooltip player_id='2374347' first='Aaron' last='McMorran II'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2111894' first='Tyler' last='Merto'] are set to return, and man did they both make some noise in the AAU/Scholastic season. McMorran II is up to 6 Division I offers, and NXT Pro Champion [player_tooltip player_id='2111894' first='Tyler' last='Merto'] is now up to 7! The pair combined for over 50 PPG regularly during the month of June, and I expect their success to continue. The Jaguars also have a few other steady producers in [player_tooltip player_id='2812155' first='Mason' last='Robles'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2588076' first='Maleki' last='Sims']. Robles has snagged a few D3 offers recently, and Sims was a standout regularly on the Adidas Gold Circuit. Outside of them, they will look to wings/bigs: [player_tooltip player_id='2819207' first='Jerome' last='Jackson Sequiera'], [player_tooltip player_id='1965276' first='Quentin' last='Stewart'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2634178' first='Kru' last='Brown'] to handle the dirty work in the paint. Considering the way that McMorran II and Merto have been performing, they are no doubt in contention to win a good amount of 5A games and potentially make it all the way to the state championship game.   Liberty Patriots (2025-2026 Record: 23-8 Overall, 8-0 in 5A)   The Liberty Patriots have reloaded and will definitely be a team that we have to consider as a true threat in 5A. Part of their reload includes: [player_tooltip player_id='2468244' first='Jaden' last='Redding'], Gianni McGhee, [player_tooltip player_id='1965124' first='Jayvion' last='Wall'], [player_tooltip player_id='3663907' first='Kaemon' last='Thomas'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3663904' first='Lucas' last='Persin']. Redding consistently impacts the game, and has all of the tools to compete for an all 5A Team spot. McGhee has looked sharp since suiting up for the Patriots, converting on tough shots from the perimeter frequently and driving to hoop when there's a driving lane. Wall was the leading scorer in 5A last season, and opposing defenses will need to account for him every possession. Then there is the newcomer, [player_tooltip player_id='3663907' first='Kaemon' last='Thomas'], who will be both a bucket getter and facilitator for them. 2030 [player_tooltip player_id='3663904' first='Lucas' last='Persin'] figures to be a big time asset as well, and he should give them an edge on both ends of the court. The Minutemen will also return [player_tooltip player_id='2128311' first='Taytum' last='Webb'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2813423' first='Duante' last='Johnson']. Webb was my 5A DPOY last season, and Johnson is a legit 3 point shooter who can get hot in a hurry. With ample time to keep building chemistry, they may be very dangerous come February.   Bishop Gorman Gaels (2025-2026 Record: 18-10 Overall, 7-1 in 5A)   Can Bishop Gorman retake the throne this year? They won back-to-back state titles in 2024 and 2025 before losing to Coronado in the semifinals this past season. They did lose a few key guys to graduation; however, they have plenty of prospects that will likely take things up a notch. Names that come to mind are [player_tooltip player_id='2654821' first='Braylen' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='2047786' first='Kameron' last='Cooper'], [player_tooltip player_id='2691549' first='Canon' last='Mullen'], [player_tooltip player_id='2499030' first='Maison' last='Phillips'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2086139' first='Tyler' last='Johnson']. Williams recently shot up the 2028 rankings list to #3, and I fully believe that he'll be one of their best options on offense this year. Kansas State commit [player_tooltip player_id='2047786' first='Kameron' last='Cooper'] should also be one of their top scorers, and he's also a guy who can help them close out tight games. I have liked what I have seen from [player_tooltip player_id='2691549' first='Canon' last='Mullen'] lately too, and he just might be due for a breakout. Transfer [player_tooltip player_id='2499030' first='Maison' last='Phillips'] is another 2028 player who can give the Gaels instant offense and provides added length on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='2086139' first='Tyler' last='Johnson']'s play will also be pivotal, as his production and motor will give the other 5A squads headaches game in and game out. Naturally, the Gaels have a few other players in the pipeline too, like Brevyn Johnson, [player_tooltip player_id='3625813' first='Bracey' last='Markley'], [player_tooltip player_id='2918899' first='Kortell' last='Price'], [player_tooltip player_id='3314103' first='Aaron' last='Marmanillo'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3663885' first='Logan' last='Kish']. When it comes down to it, there is skill at every position, and I think they'll be a tough foe to draw in the playoffs.   Democracy Prep Blue Knights (2025-2026 Record: 14-13 Overall, 4-4 in 5A)   There is a bit of a rebuild going on at Democracy Prep since long-time coach Corey Duke departed for a HS coaching job down in Arizona (Canyon View). But they have had some talent come in the door this summer. Fred Jones Jr., aka 'Deuce,' [player_tooltip player_id='2389573' first='Joe' last='McKinney'], [player_tooltip player_id='3663894' first='Johnny' last='Wheeler'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2819431' first='Solomon' last='Anderson'] have all joined the Blue Knights. And they also have [player_tooltip player_id='1945840' first='Ien' last='Kirkland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2634164' first='Jayden' last='Howard'] back. It's a group that has a ton of athleticism and enough size to give opponents issues. Deuce Jones has been on a tear this summer, and I think he'll surprise some people with his knack for scoring this season. 2029 SF [player_tooltip player_id='2389573' first='Joe' last='McKinney'] has transferred from Valley, and I like what he brings to the table for them from a physicality and rebounding standpoint. Not to mention his ability to hammer home dunks and swat shots. I also recently highlighted [player_tooltip player_id='3663894' first='Johnny' last='Wheeler'] in one of my 2030 Watch List articles. He is very dynamic for his age, and he should help the Blue Knights with his next-level instincts + IQ. Anderson fits in as well with this squad because he'll contribute in the paint often for them. [player_tooltip player_id='1945840' first='Ien' last='Kirkland'] is a guy who will make this team even more dangerous if he can be consistent in the scoring department and be disruptive on defense. While [player_tooltip player_id='2634164' first='Jayden' last='Howard'] is a versatile CG who makes highlight-reel plays on offense. Despite the coaching and roster turnover, there is enough talent here for Democracy Prep to emerge as a contender.

It has been over a month since Section 7 and the Nevada Live Invitational, where we got to see a glimpse of how all of 5A contenders are shaping up. With the start of school just around the corner now, I decided now would be a great opportunity to write about teams that may be in the hunt for a 5A State Championship in 2027.