Team Preview: Las Vegas Wildcats

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a lot to complain about when it comes to modern-day high school basketball, holdbacks, transfers, and pay-for-play dominate the landscape, turning off many traditionalists, nostalgic for a simpler time. Well make no mistake about it, The Las Vegas Wildcats Basketball Program embodies everything that's right about high school basketball. Tucked away in East Las Vegas in the shadow of the world-famous strip, the program has been under the leadership of Head Coach Jason Wilson since 2008. A no-nonsense, humble guy Wilson doesn't pretend to be the high school version of Phil Jackson or Greg Popovich. "If I was the best coach in the world, I wouldn't be at Las Vegas," says Wilson. Last year, the humble coach, was at the head of a magical season, as the Wildcats led by one of the best players in program history, current Colorado St PG Tavionte Jackson, made a run to the 4A final four. This team doesn't have a superstar, however, what they do have is a tough collection of neighborhood kids, who as coach Wilson says, "plays their tales off" For those still searching for traditional basketball, look no further, as this is what a program looks like. In this article, we preview the Las Vegas Wildcats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Returners: </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634e8e8dcfb20","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1345414"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1631845,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Gomez looked really good in the workout. He put himself on the map as a candidate for most improved player in 4A displaying his offensive skills in the workout. Gomez showed a good wiggle and the ability to score in 1 v 1 situations.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1345415"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u0022 We need to get bigu0022 says Massey, when measuring hearts, no ones is bigger. A pitbull type player, he emodies the heart and toughness of the program. He showed a lot of that grit in the workout, grabbing tough interior rebounds, or driving to the paint to finish through contact. He'll be counted on for leadership and scoring for the Wildcats.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcomers: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634e8ef5cfb23","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1631323"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Sims is similar to another player on the team [player_tooltip player_id='1631320' first='Bryce' last='Davis']. The transfer from Spanish Springs is long and rangy and plays with good activity on the defensive end. Sims is another defense first player for the Wildcats, he will be called upon to defend multiple postions for the team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1631322"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"I think the Wildcat faithful will love Hunter. He has size, long arms, and will bring a physical presence to the team. The Wildcats don't have a ton of size, so they will have to rely on the grit and toughness of Hunter for a portion of their interior production.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":1631331,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Kollin McCoy","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77248","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Las Vegas","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Prominent Elite","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"McCoy provides the Wildcats with an outside shooting punch. The lefty knocked down several deep threes during the scrimmage, and should provide floor spacing for the team's slashing guards.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sleeper: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634f7a2ac16f9","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1631320"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Davis looks the part. A long rangy athletic player he impressed with his defensive versatility. Davis should see minutes if for no other reason than his length alone. While on the floor, he will be expected to defend multiple postions.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top Prospect: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_634f7a3cc16fa","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1253136"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Honestly could have went with Massey, Gomez or Jackson on this one. u0022Guda gets the edge because of his youth and signature skill. He is one of the best defenders in the state and contributed major minutes as a freshman, showing the ability to score and shoot the three. Although only a sophomore, expect him to be one of the teams leaders and main contributors.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/0aTjcNnUJhs","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/0aTjcNnUJhs </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->