4A State Tournament: Semifinal Preview
The 4A state tournament is full of intrigue as Moon Valley, Shadow Mountain, Salpointe, and Buckeye are all that are left. With the Shadow Mountain win feeling imminent, the question remains as to who they will play in the state championship.
Salpointe would create a lot of interest as Shadow Mountain and Salpointe played for the title last year. Further, Shadow and Buckeye might provide even more sparks as the two went toe to toe earlier this year.
4A State Tournament: Semifinal Preview
#4 Moon Valley vs. #1 Shadow Mountain
Moon Valley has had a strong season and brings into this game some athletic and skilled players. Of note, Gabe Lee and Jok Jok will be looked to greatly if they are to pull off one of the biggest upsets in Arizona high school basketball history.
Jok has to be a crucial part of the game plan as Shadow Mountain does not have anyone that can match his height and length. Further, Lee will need to find a way to manage the pressure that is employed by the talented and athletic guards of Shadow Mountain.
While Shadow might not have anyone who can match Jok Jok’s length, they have plenty of athletes who can match up with
him and make things challenging. Immanuel Allen, Antonio Reeves, and Shemar Morrow Shemar Morrow 6'4" | SF Shadow Mountain | 2020 State AZ could all potentially play that role.
In addition to those talented wings, Moon Valley will have their hands full with trying to guard Jovan Blacksher and Jaelen House. House and Blacksher will pressure these guards and attempt to create easy transition buckets. Further, in the half court, they are a nightmare to stay in front of.
Prediction: While Moon Valley is solid, they will struggle, like every other in-state team has, with Shadow. Shadow wins this one in convincing fashion.
#11 Salpointe vs. #2 Buckeye
While the number next to Salpointe makes it look like they have completed upsets to get here, it is more so that they are finally healthy and everyone is eligible. At the beginning of the season, Majok Deng struggled with some injuries. Further, Evan Nelson Evan Nelson 6'1" | PG Salpointe | 2020 State #184 Nation AZ had to sit the 1st half of the season.
Between Deng and Nelson, Salpointe has found a way to peak at the right time and get their way to the final four. Obviously on their horizon is the hope for a repeat of last year’s state title game against Shadow Mountain.
However, in order to do that, they will have to get through a very talented Buckeye team. Buckeye is the only in-state 4A team who has been able to go toe to toe with Shadow Mountain. While it ended up being a 20 point lose, they gave Shadow all that they could handle in the 1st half.
Buckeye is balanced and has a number of playmakers who are capable of taking over a game. Their top prospect is Otis Frazier. Frazier is athletic, long, and can shoot the basketball well. His versatility against that of Deng will be extremely fun to watch this evening.
In addition to Frazier, Tay Boothman Tay Boothman 6'0" | PG Buckeye | 2020 State AZ is a constant scoring threat who is capable of going on huge runs. Frazier and Boothman are also aided by multiple other threats.
Prediction: Buckeye has a lot of talent and depth. However, there ability to contain Deng and Nelson is of concern. Buckeye finds a way to pull it off and meets Shadow in the state title.