Week 2: 6 Games to Watch
We are officially on to Week 2. For those of us looking for intriguing games to attend or monitor, here are some of the top games to watch for Week 2.
Week 2: 6 Games to Watch
Liberty vs. Sunnyslope
November 28, 7:00 PM at Sunnyslope
Liberty is a little undermanned at this point. However, Quentin Guliford has been playing like the NCAA Division I caliber player that he is. As far as Sunnyslope is concerned, they are coming off of their first lose, to Deer Valley, since winning the 5A state championship in dramatic fashion. Slope brings back their entire team and it will be interesting to see how they respond to the early lose.
Players to Watch:
Liberty: Matt Edahl and Quentin Guliford
Sunnyslope: Chris Orozco, Kyle Fischer, Allan Abayev, and Bryson Mewhinney
Mesa vs. Gilbert
November 30, 7:00 PM at Gilbert
Mesa and Gilbert are both coming off of strong first weeks. Mesa won their tournament “Fear the Hop” with a win over Hamilton, a team that looks destined to be in the state championship conversation. Meanwhile, Gilbert started the year 3-1 with a big win over Perry. Further, their only lose was a close game to one of the best teams in 6A in Westview. These two should be quite competitive and one of the top games to watch for 6A.
Players to Watch:
Mesa: Mark Hatch, Xavier Fuller, and Zach Hobbs
Gilbert: Trajon Hawkins and Doc Self
Higley vs. Estrella Foothills
November 30, 7:00 PM at Estrella Foothills
Higley, due in large part to 6’8+ and NCAA Division I caliber transfers, has become a state title contender for 4A. Speaking of transfers, Estrella Foothills has also received the services of a transfer in Shaun Walhstrom. Further, they bring back one of the best shooters in 4A in Grant Greabell. This could be a preview of a 4A state tournament game.
Players to Watch:
Higley: Shon Robinson and Jason Harris Jason Harris 6'7" | PF Higley | 2020 State #242 Nation AZ (Out due to transfer)
Estrella Foothills: Shaun Walhstrom and Grant Greabell
Paradise Valley vs. McClintock
December 1, 7:00 PM at McClintock
Both McClintock and Paradise Valley have opened the season undefeated. Only time will tell if both teams will make it to this game undefeated. However, they both should. Paradise Valley has played the tougher schedule of the two teams. However, both teams bring back their core from last season and should be quite competitive. This will be one of the top games to watch this week.
Players to Watch:
Paradise Valley: Jordan Morris, Tashon Brown, and Logan Gallaga
McClintock: Josh Baker and Armani Williams Armani Williams 6'1" | SG McClintock | 2020 State AZ
Flagstaff vs. Mohave
December 1, 7:00 PM at Mohave
Flagstaff will come into this game battle tested with a win over Bradshaw Mountain and a game against one of the top teams in 4A in Estrella Foothills. On the other hand, Mohave will play 3 games this week with the last one being against Flagstaff. In all likelihood this game will be between the top two teams in this particular region. Despite winning the region last year in convincing fashion, Mohave brings back more experience and should be the favorite due to having home court advantage.
Players to Watch:
Flagstaff: K.P. Kortsen and Troy Yazzie
Mohave: Joe Heath, Jerimiah Jaques, and AJ Hernandez
Apollo vs. Wasatch Academy (UT)
December 2, 12:00 PM at Southern Utah University
Apollo will be without their full team due to waiting for transfers to get cleared. However, this should be a good test for Emmanuel Taban against some of the nations top prospects from Wasatch Academy. Taban has been playing at an extremely high level and will be challenged by
Players to Watch:
Apollo: Emmanuel Taban
Wasatch: Matt Bradley, Bryan Penn-Johnson, Dusan Bubanja, Damion Squire, and Matija Ilic