3A Elite-8 Difference Makers

Tomorrow kicks off the Elite-8 games for the 3A Conference. Games will start at 6:00pm tomorrow night or one at 7:00.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">We look at some of the difference makers for the 4 games:</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#1 Ben Franklin vs #8 Sabino</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2249646' first='Talan' last='Speir'] Ben Franklin   A hyper athletic guard plays on or off the ball. He takes very few strides to get to the basket and will score at or above the rim impressively. He can shoot it but prefers to touch the paint. He is good on the ball defensively.   [player_tooltip player_id='2136460' first='Landon' last='Christensen'] Ben Franklin   The sharp shooter of the team is definitely Landon. He can go on his own personal runs from deep with college range past the three point line. He uses his size to rebound and score it inside. If Landon catches fire, they will be a tough out.   [player_tooltip player_id='2533653' first='Bennett' last='Christensen'] Ben Franklin   The maestro of the team is Bennett. He sees the court differently then most and especially for only a freshman. He throws ropes up the court and drives and kicks. He will pull-up from mid to the three and will be asked to guide them to the final-4.   [player_tooltip player_id='2784379' first='Brendan' last='Gargus'] Sabino   A scoring guard with toughness and good court vision. He can get downhill with his size and a deceptively quick first step plus he is athletic enough for alley-oop layups. He is a capable three point shooter and brings some grit to the court as he takes contact well.   [player_tooltip player_id='2784393' first='Caden' last='Watkins'] Sabino   A bigger bodied guard/wing who can play on the ball some to create for himself. He uses his tighter handle and weight at 190 lbs to score thru the contact at the rim. He will make the touch passes to his teammates on the break and comes with some body control to score near the rim. He can also step back and hit the three.   [player_tooltip player_id='2784428' first='Chris' last='Herndon'] Sabino   A super quick undersized point guard can score and facilitate. He moves the ball like you should and will throw some players open as he plays off the pick and roll game smartly. He makes his money with his speed with the ball. He has a very quick first step to get into the paint and will finish off layups.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#4 ALA-Ironwood vs #5 Palo Verde</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2039490' first='Noah' last='Adkins'] ALA-Ironwood   A scoring PG for the Warriors. There are not many better shooters in all of the 3A than Adkins. He had 9 triples to lead them versus Ben Franklin recently in the playoffs and he comes with serious range and confidence. He is quick and shifty also with the ball to free himself up to get his own offense going.   [player_tooltip player_id='1951728' first='Zachary' last='Jiggens'] ALA-Ironwood   A strong and cerebral pure point guard. He can go on his own runs too with drive by's with changing speeds and he will hit the three off the catch or pull. He sees the court well with advanced court vision and he will defend most positions on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='2134454' first='Kameron' last='Pippen'] Palo Verde   A powerfully built pure point guard who can score. He is very physical and tough. He has a tighter handle and strength to get downhill using his burst and toughness. He often scores at the rim and will also hit the three. He will drive and kick it and find teammates in stride.   [player_tooltip player_id='2134381' first='Daniel' last='Ortiz'] Palo Verde   Their top scorer most nights is Daniel. He recently hit a game winner at the buzzer in OT that caught everyone's attention. He can shoot it easily with mid-range pull-ups and threes off the catch or dribble and can get to the paint to score.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#7 Coolidge vs #2 Florence</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2533435' first='Adrian' last='Taufaasau'] Florence   One of the top motors in the paint of the eight teams is Adrian. At only six-foot four he plays like he is four inches taller with a huge wingspan and immense energy. He will score with offensive rebound put backs and rip thrus to the rim. He averages 10+ rebounds per game and will need them all versus a tough Coolidge team.   [player_tooltip player_id='2039508' first='Preston' last='Dees'] Coolidge   An undersized power forward with advanced post footwork for days. He uses his soft hands and girth and scores it in the paint with counter moves and a nice touch around the basket. He had a double-double in both games in the regular season where they split 1-1.   [player_tooltip player_id='2161181' first='Corbyn' last='Downs'] Coolidge   A scoring combo guard plays on or off the ball. He is one of their top scorers of the team and scored in double figures in both outings. He has a pretty stroke from the three point line and can pull-up from mid. He can also make plays and will have to with the loss of their starting PG for the season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#3 Page vs #11 Pusch Ridge</h2>   [player_tooltip player_id='2784378' first='Tyree' last='Stingley'] Page   A do it all two-sport athlete that seems to play multiple positions for the Sand Devils. He rebounds well in his area and scores thru the contact with his thicker frame. He is also a good passer and will hit the three as an all-around player.   [player_tooltip player_id='1986833' first='Noah' last='Mckinney'] Pusch Ridge (Pictured)   One of the top bucket getters is only a sophomore. He is one of their leading scorers and he can carry them in many possessions with his scoring from all three levels. He is a dead-eye shooter with range and he has a nasty pull-up from mid but also footwork inside to utilize.

Tomorrow kicks off the Elite-8 games for the 3A Conference. Games will start at 6:00pm tomorrow night or one at 7:00.