6A: Southridge Skyhawks – 2025-26 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season approaches, rosters are being released and I'm going to be previewing each team from the 6A and 5A levels. I'll go over each team's key players going into this coming season, list the returners/newcomers, and key departures. Here is the preview of the Southridge Skyhawks (6A) of the Metro League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Phil Vesel (19th Season at SRHS, 277-179 Record)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season's Record: 22-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1607597"],"_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-691fe7076f574"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arguably the top long-ranger shooter in his class, Groenig's range can be described by the proverbial phrase "when he steps into the gym". The Southridge senior has proven this season that he simply cannot be left open - and left open feet beyond the high school three-point arc as he's liable to burn the nets from deep. More than just a shooter, his abilities at creating off the dribble are continuing to improve as well. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1787372"],"_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-691fe7076f5fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After spending all of his high school career at private schools so far - he played as a freshman at Catlin Gabel - Zanon will use his senior season at Southridge where the big man figures to play a big part in the Skyhawks success. Surrounded by shooters, the rising 6-foot-9 senior has been effective getting position in the post and getting the ball out to open shooters for looks, while also using his footwork and soft touch to get buckets down low. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2026058"],"_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-691fe7076f663"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson's rise continued this off-season as he turned heads on the PUMA circuit. The 6-foot-2 Southridge junior has gotten more athletic but has continued to exhibit the all-around play on both ends of the floor that has started to earn him the college recruiting attention he deserves. The first scholarship offer should be coming for Thompson his upcoming year as he'll be taking on a leadership role for a Skyhawks team aiming for a long run in the post-season. (JT)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returners:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2026514' first='Nikko' last='Kalish'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1604658' first='Julius' last='Vesel'] (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2026515' first='Brooks' last='Fortune'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anthony Taylor (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1787372' first='Ryder' last='Zanon'] (Class of 2026, Transfer from Central Catholic)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nadav Minyan (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2910088' first='Judah' last='Hardt'] (Class of 2029)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beckett Birkes (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elliott Bucks (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grant Albright (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Departures</strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alonzo Hoff (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keenan Reckamp (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Additional Contributions by Jed Tai</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->