Season Preview: Mojave

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mojave was 5-6 in conference play, and 13-12 overall last season. They lost a close game to Liberty in the first round of the playoffs, 67-65. [player_tooltip player_id='1268866' first='CJ' last='Shaw'] led all of 5A in scoring with 25.8 PPG last season and [player_tooltip player_id='1665140' first='Zacarrion' last='Jackson'] was 10th, with 15.9 PPG. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Run Your Race </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Kejuan Clark runs a tight ship and has been very focused on developing his players this offseason. They've been hitting the track, the weight room, and also competed in the Fall Varsity League and Border League. From what I have seen, they've looked fast and aggressive. Just about every player on the team can drive to the rim and that makes them extremely difficult to defend. With [player_tooltip player_id='1268866' first='CJ' last='Shaw'] and Jackson in the backcourt, just about every team is going to have their work cut out for them to keep up with their scoring. In addition to the players that Clark has been developing, [player_tooltip player_id='1285970' first='Antonio' last='Burns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1420496' first='Isaiah' last='Trotter'] transferred over. Burns brings his elite speed to the table and Trotter looks like a solid interior player. If they can continue to focus on improving daily, they'll likely look very sharp come playoff time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1268866"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6734e9e84f077"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1268866' first='CJ' last='Shaw'] can score at will and uses a variety of moves to get to his spots. I expect him to lead all of 5A in scoring again this year and I wouldn't be surprised if he averaged closer to 30. Now that he has more experience, he seems poised to lead Mojave even further into the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1665140"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6734e9e84f0e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1665140' first='Zacarrion' last='Jackson'] is a great two way guy for Mojave. He has a solid shooting stroke and can hit both 3's and pull up 2's. Jackson was also Mojave's leading assist guy last year with 4.2 a game. On defense, he uses his high IQ to anticipate passes and comes up with steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1638995"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6734e9e84f130"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Denson is one of the faster guys on the Mojave squad. His athleticism is key to his game. On defense, he is an absolute pest and uses is lateral quickness to beat guys to the spot they're trying to get to. I'm looking forward to seeing how he does this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1420496"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6734e9e84f170"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Trotter should be a great rebounder and defender for Mojave. He has a very big frame and uses his wingspan wisely on defense. On offense, he uses his footwork and athleticism to get to to the basket. Expect him to throw down more than a few dunks this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1668933"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6734e9e84f1ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1668933' first='Phil' last='Gordon'] is a solid all around athlete and player. He's picks his spots well on offense and isn't one to waste dribbles. If he gets downhill with the ball, he usually finishes. Mojave will also need him to be one of their better defenders this season. I think he has the length and toughness to guard some of the opposing team's stronger players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1285970"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6734e9e84f1eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was a big fan of the way that Burns played in the preseason for Mojave. His speed allows him to create a lot of separation from his defenders and his vertical allows him to float in the air to let the ball go at the right time. Burns speed is also going to help on defense when Mojave wants to apply pressure this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1571006"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6734e9e84f228"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1571006' first='Devin' last='Thomas'] is a quality rim-runner who has some good touch around the basket. He may be even taller than 6'4 now, or at least he plays like it. If he can step up when Mojave needs him to, I expect that he'll be more well-known and higher in the rankings soon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Key Contributors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Devin Luna -</em> <strong> </strong>3 and D </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Ricky Bunch Jr. </em>- Quick guard who can defend well</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Steven Lockett</em> - 3 point specialist and a high energy guy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2640709' first='Rory' last='Scott'] </em>- Lock up defender</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Season Outlook</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They have a schedule filled with top notch opponents. Despite having a tough schedule, I expect them to have success in the regular season and I also predict that they'll have a better seed in the playoffs. Which should help their chances of making it all the way to the state title game. But there will be some stout teams like Bishop Gorman and Liberty in their way. Based on what I have seen recently, they appear to be legit contenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>From A Recruiting Standpoint</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're a college coach and you're looking for speed, this is the team to look at. Their seniors are studs and a few of their juniors have high level athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->