Arizona 4A Semifinals Preview and Predictions
There has been little surprise in the 4A world as the top four seeds have all advanced to the semifinals. Moon Valley has had a historic year as they have won their region for the first time in many years…
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Continue ReadingThere has been little surprise in the 4A world as the top four seeds have all advanced to the semifinals. Moon Valley has had a historic year as they have won their region for the first time in many years and moved all the way to this prestigious point. Shadow Mountain merely continues the success that they have had for a number of years while Catalina Foothills and Salpointe Catholic have lived up to the expectations, but will have to face each other for a third time this season. Here are the preview and predictions for the 4A semifinals that will take place on Thursday, February 23.
4A Semifinals Preview and Predictions
#4 Moon Valley vs. #1 Shadow Mountain
Moon Valley has plenty of talent and has had to win some tough games in order to make it to the semifinals. In fact, I predicted that Cactus Shadows would beat them in the 1st round. In addition, they had to beat a highly talented St. Mary’s team in the quarterfinals. Moon Valley is led by Jok Jok, Trevor Thompson, and Ja’van Lee. Jok Jok is a the backbone of the defense who has improved his touch around the rim while improving his ability to shoot the basketball from deep. Thompson and Lee, on the other hand, are constant play makers on the offensive end while Thompson shows his full value and ability to impact a game with his ability to crash the glass.
Shadow Mountain has a number of top tier role players in Jordan Pace, Darion Spottsville, and Tyler Jafary. In addition to having the edge as far as X-Factor players are concerned, Shadow Mountain has three of the most talented guards in the entire state in Marcus Shaver, Jaelen House, and Jovan Blacksher. A team who has just one of these talented guards is immediately catapulted. A team that has all three, like Shadow Mountain, is an absolute nightmare for opposing teams. Shaver, House, and Blacksher are dynamic players who are all capable of scoring, creating for teammates and playing tough defense. Blacksher has excelled this year in creating shots for teammates as he is averaging almost 6 assists per game while House is averaging an almost unprecedented 6 steals per game.
Prediction:
Moon Valley’s tournament run will end as they will be overwhelmed with the talent and depth of this Shadow Mountain team.
#3 Catalina Foothills vs. #2 Salpointe Catholic
It is hard to beat a team three times. This particular phrase is used frequently in sports with teams who have played each other multiple times. However, Catalina Foothills has the type of team who is capable of doing it. Foothills is led by extremely talented and solid point guard Sam Beskind. He is provided with support from the rest of his team, specifically, Jimmy Stewart and Jared Irwin. This cast has proven to be too much for Salpointe this season as they have won both of the previous match-ups. Beskind will look to continue to create for himself and others as a means fo continuing the winning and moving Foothills into the state championship.
Salpointe Catholic is led by one of the most intriguing 2019 prospects in the entire state in Majok Deng. Deng is one of the state’s most premier players due to his ability to do everything at an exceptional rate despite only being a Sophomore. In addition to Deng, Salpointe will have the assistance of a top tier guard of their own in Cameron Miller. Miller and Deng will have to play some of the basketball that they have played this season as well as in their careers in order to ensure that Salpointe moves on to the next round. This should be a highly competitive game with many labeling it as the 2017 Tucson Boys Basketball Championship.
Prediction:
Despite the difficulty of beating a team three times, Catalina Foothills will move on to the state championship and play a tough Shadow Mountain squad.