Top seniors in 6A Region: Southwest

<p>We are all still hopeful for the HS season will happen. If it does take place in the fall or maybe even the spring, I want to take a look at the top players in each region plus make some way too early rankings. </p> <p>This region like some others did lose some players but are still very top heavy with talent. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Let’s more over to the 6A Southwest region predictions followed by the top players: </p> <p><strong>1. Sunnyslope</strong></p> <p>-Coach Portela did lose some stud seniors and two transferred out  That being said he still has one of the better starting 5’s in the region. </p> <p><strong>2. Valley Vista  </strong></p> <p>-Coach Isai has a younger talented core coming up plus he still has a good senior group to mix in with his youth. </p> <p><strong>3. Tolleson</strong></p> <p>-Coach Johnson just missed the playoffs last year and lost 9 seniors but played a deep group of freshman. Those rising sophs and one star rising senior will carry them. </p> <p><strong>4. Shadow Ridge </strong></p> <p>-Coach Bohon had a good season last year and made the playoffs. They did unfortunately lose 10 seniors but have a nice core of rising juniors who will carry them. </p> <p><strong>5. Westview </strong></p> <p>-Coach Holmes is the brand new coach and comes into a situation where top scorer and region 1st team JJ McCain plus honorable mention R. Brownlee transferred and he lost 3 talented senior graduates. There are still players who have talent, but it is definitely a taller task.   </p> <p><strong>6. Copper Canyon</strong></p> <p>-Coach Murphy’s team struggled last year at 4-24 overall and 0-10 in the region plus lost 5 seniors. He did have a nice soph group who will be rising juniors to lead a young core. They are probably a year away from competing at the top of the region. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Top seniors:</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="703797" first="Carson" last="Basham"] (Sunnyslope) <strong>(Pictured) </strong></p> <p>-The high ranked big man committed to <strong>Pepperdine</strong> this year and he will look to get his team back into the Final-4. This time it will be in 6A. Both conferences are always tough at the top. He uses his skill, length, size and elite passing ability for a big to get the job done.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="703820" first="Grady" last="Lewis"] (Sunnyslope) <strong>(Pictured) </strong></p> <p>-Not many stronger then him at the natural power forward position. He has a chiseled frame and can rebound with the best in the state. He is most comfortable from elbow and in. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="991885" first="Malcolm" last="Olexa"] (Sunnyslope)</p> <p>-A quick scoring guard will be asked to step it up. He is a tough hard-nosed defender, he can shoot it from the perimeter plus makes smart reads to teammates. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="703839" first="Elijah" last="Thomas"] (Valley Vista)</p> <p>-He made a big leap up last year and looks to get even better this year. He can shoot it with consistency, he is a versatile defender and plays above the rim. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809708" first="Demari" last="Hackett"] (Valley Vista) </p> <p>-A wide-body rebound can play with his back to the basket plus can step out and hit the 3. He is extremely strong to bang with anyone bigger then him. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809723" first="Dwight" last="McKnight"] (Valley Vista)</p> <p>-A fast and athletic pure PG who has a nice burst to get into the lane. Once he touches the paint, he can score it or make a dime. </p> <p><strong>David Aysho PF 6’3 (Valley Vista)</strong></p> <p>-A super athletic undersized power forward will be needed for depth off the bench. He will throw his thick body around deep inside and grab out of area rebounds and throw it down in transition.   </p> <p><strong>Michael Parris CG 5’10 (Tolleson)</strong></p> <p>-A very quick scoring guard is very under the radar. He is an easy scorer and proved it last year with seven 20+ point games including an incredible 37 point explosion vs Queen Creek. He is a little streaky but competes hard. He is quick on the ball defensively and loves to attack the basket. </p> <p><strong>Javon Staples-Howard SF 6’2 (Shadow Ridge)</strong></p> <p>-An athletic wing played quality minutes last year on a very old team as their 6th man. He rebounds well out of area and is a consistent mid-range shooter. He is a 50/50 hustle player that will defend. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="932395" first="Michael" last="Harris"] (Westview)  </p> <p>-A volume shooter has deep range and a high arching stroke. He is very competitive on defense and will lead the Knights in scoring.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="958885" first="Cesar" last="Ruiz"] (Westview) </p> <p>-The sharp shooter is another one that has been rumored to have transferred, which means possibly 3 of their top 4 have went to other teams. If he does stay, he will fill it up from the perimeter and has some good length to rebound.   </p>