Southern Arizona Showcase Small School Standouts Part One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Southern Arizona Showcase hosted over 150 student athletes from over 40 different high schools across Southern Arizona. Players were placed on teams and played in 2-3 games throughout the day. Small School (1A-3A) had some talent in attendance. Below are some of the small school standouts that caught my attention.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2990408"],"_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-68fd241fa78c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My first time seeing Bronson play. Thatcher is known for producing tough guards and you can add Stingfellow to that list. A player that shocked many in attendance with his athleticism. Has a very nice three point shot that he gets off quickly. Very solid defensive footwork. Explosive laterally and makes it difficult for his opponents to advance. Good on ball defender. Thatcher plays in a tough 3A South Conference, expect Bronson to be a key piece to the Eagles success this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2134454"],"_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-68fd241fa796b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably the best playmaker in attendance. Pippen handles the ball extremely well and has a gift for the way he sees the floor. Showed the ability to advance the ball even against some of the better on ball defenders in attendance. Patient and allows plays to develope. Skilled passer in the pick and roll and can throw a dime for the baseline lob. Strong physical defender and a vocal leader. Pippen continues to establish himself as one of the top true point guards available in the 2026 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2396138"],"_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-68fd241fa7a02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ortiz continues to impress. From each showing his development takes leaps. He gets more athletic, stronger and his shot gets better. One of the top mid- long range shooters in attendance. A true three level scorer. Ortiz was one of the top overall performers who did it all on both sides of the ball. Ortiz's ceiling his high. I expect him to start getting college attention this year and for his recruitment to really take off his graduating year (2027).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2632440"],"_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-68fd241fa7a78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stevens will be the leader of a young Sabino team this upcoming season. A tough, physical combo guard who can do it all. Stevens is very dangerous on the offensive end and can score at will. Stepback, dribble fadeaway, side step it didn't matter as Stevens was knocking them all down at the event. Skilled dribbler with a quick first step that'll blow by his defender and finish for two at the rim. Stevens should find his name as one of the top scorers in the 3A conference this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2133645"],"_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-68fd241fa7aed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The back to back state champ had a solid performance at this years showcase. A strong physical force in the paint that dominates the boards and blocks shots. A very solid mid range/floater and can shoot the three very well. A vocal leader and has a very strong feel for the game in all aspects. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1986833"],"_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-68fd241fa7b65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McKinney is just flat out electric. I first saw him at this event as the only eighth grader at the time participating. McKinney found himself voted as one of the top performers that year and has been so every year after. McKinney is talented on both ends of the ball. Elevates high and has a quick smooth release on his jump shots. Rebounds and blocks shots very well. McKinney helped lead Pusch Ridge to a state championship his sophomore year and will look to do the same this year. College coaches have and continue to take notice of him when he plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->