Team Preview: Spring Valley Grizzlies

<p>What’s is it like to go from the hunter to the hunted overnight? For year’s Spring Valley Coach Paul Blair had one simple mantra "We’re just trying to stay out of last place" After some early lean years, Blair built the Grizzlies into a formidable opponent in the toughest league in the State. That league included local powers, Clark and Durango, along with National powerhouse and 9-time state champion Bishop Gorman. Now, with the help of realignment, the infusion of young talent, and ties to one of the winningest grassroots programs in the city, the Grizzlies are the odds on favorite to take home the 4A crown. Just don’t tell that to coach Blair. "We haven’t done anything yet" "We’ll reach our goals if we approach every game with a serious attitude and defend at a high level" - says Blair. One huge advantage for the coach is the opportunity to watch his team play together for the last year. The core group of SV’s players play together on the Chosen Few, a Las Vegas based, Prephoops Circuit program, that places an emphasis on traveling outside their comfort zone and competing. "We wanted to go out and play games," Says assistant Coach Abdul Adem. That core group went on to win several different tournaments and lost a heartbreaker in the PH Region Finals, Championship game. It is their belief that tasting success this summer, will leave them hungry for more. </p> <p><strong>HC:</strong> Paul Blair 7th season  </p> <p><strong>Division:</strong> 4A </p> <p><strong>2019-2020 Record:</strong> 20-8</p> <p><em>Key Returners: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Desean-Moreno-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1275408 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Desean-Moreno-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1137209" first="Desean" last="Moreno"] <em>6’4 SF 2022 (#24PHN 2022)</em> - Moreno is the kind of active, athletic, wing that can cause Havoc. The Grizzlies are blessed with tons of scoring options, his ability to finish in transition, rebound and defend, will be huge if the team is to reach their goals. The senior describes himself as a "leader" whose responsibility is to "keep everyone in line". </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Carson-Dooley.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1275374 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Carson-Dooley-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1275253" first="Carson" last="Dooley"] <em>6’5 PF 2022</em> - Dooley is a multi-sport athlete, returning to the team after a two-year hiatus. His maturity and leadership alone provide a tangible resource to the team. When describing his role on the team, Dooley says, "Just being a brother" "I want to be one of the first people they can come to" In addition to his leadership, Dooley provides frontcourt depth, to the squad. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Raqueeb.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1275375 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Raqueeb-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a><strong>Rah’queeb Sheppard</strong> 6’0 SG 2022 - Sheppard is another senior that will provide a leadership role. The hard-working guard states "Defense" as his main role on the team. Like many of the players, Sheppard mentioned chemistry being one of the main team strengths. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Key Newcomers: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jordon-Cosby-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1275418 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jordon-Cosby-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="986969" first="Jordon" last="Cosby"]<em> 5’10 SG 2024 (#19PHN 2024)</em> - Cosby was impressive playing with Chosen Few this summer. He was one of the top snipers on the circuit and is one of the top shooters in the state. He’s one of several sharpshooters for the Grizzlies. Cosby is a knock-down shooter in catch-and-shoot situations with one of the prettiest releases around. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jamison-McCall.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1275378 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Jamison-McCall-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="986968" first="Jamison" last="McCall"] <em>5’9 PG 2024 (#14PHN 2024)</em> - If Cosby is off, opponents still have to hope McCall’s missing. The floor spacing PG also has a sneaky off-the-dribble game. He highlights the level of talent on Spring Valley. McCall is the type of instant offense player capable of lighting up a scoreboard quickly. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Pharoah-Compton.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1275380 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Pharoah-Compton-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1129386" first="Pharaoh" last="Compton"] <em>6’5 PF 2024 (#9PHN 2024)</em> - Compton is one of the most athletic players in the state. His ability to play above the rim, provides the Grizzles with an X-Factor most 4A teams simply don’t have. His ability to make FT’s should come into play, as most opponents will be forced to simply foul him once he gets a head of steam. Compton didn’t want to talk about being the favorite. "Our goal is to win it all, whether we’re the favorites or not," says Compton. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Sleeper: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/RJ-Nance-3.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1275382 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/RJ-Nance-3-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1177252" first="RJ" last="Nance"] <em>5’10 CG 2024 (#11PHN 2024)</em> - Nance is an instant offense guy, with high-level wiggle and scoring ability. Think a left-handed, high school version of Lou Williams. He makes no secret, of knowing how good the squad is. "We’re stacked," says Nance. Throw him into that stack as well. The shifty combo can get his own, or create for teammates. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Top Prospect: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Alijah-Adem-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1275384 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Alijah-Adem-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="986798" first="Alijah" last="Adem"] <em>6’1 PG 2024 (#8PHN 2024)</em> - It’s been so much fun watching Adem develop over the last few years. Previously one of the cities top sleepers, he used the Prephoops Circuit to make a name for himself this summer. The tough-as-nails PG possesses high-level handles, to go along with in the gym range. He’s one of the top off the dribble shooters in the state, capable of creating, launching, and splashing from deep. His best trait may simply be, being a winner as Adem has racked up countless Championship trophies throughout his youth career. In addition to that, he’s also a 4.0 student. As coach Blair said "He checks all the boxes" </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops</a></p>