6A All-Tournament Team
The 6A state tournament has concluded and for the 2nd straight season, Pinnacle hoisted the golden ball. Mannion’s 3 years as a high school basketball player have concluded with 2 state championships for Pinnacle, the only 2 that the school…
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Continue ReadingThe 6A state tournament has concluded and for the 2nd straight season, Pinnacle hoisted the golden ball. Mannion’s 3 years as a high school basketball player have concluded with 2 state championships for Pinnacle, the only 2 that the school has. His dominance earned him the MVP award for this years 6A State Tournament.
MVP: Nico Mannion 6’2 PG 2019 Pinnacle
This was the easiest selection of the list. Mannion scored over 30 points ever game of the state tournament. He had the most dominate performance throughout the state tournament that I have covered. He scores the basketball with ease from anywhere on the floor. Mannion has tremendous change of pace and direction as well as an ability to stop on a dime. Further, he is never rushed. At the end of the 1st quarter vs. Chaparral, he used a nice pump fake with 2 seconds on the clock to get an uncontested jump shot. At the end of the 2nd quarter, he used a pump fake to get 3 free throws.
The great players have an ability to slow the game down. Mannion does just that at an elite level.
1st Team All-Tournament
Trent Brown 6’2 PG/SG 2019 Pinnacle
Brown does things that many who do not understand the finer details of the game miss. In addition to being one of the top knockdown shooters in the state, he keeps the rhythm of this team going. He hits tough shots, does not force things, and plays tough defense. While that does not sound glamorous, it wins. That is all that Brown has done throughout his high school career: Win. He does whatever it takes to put his teams in a spot where they can be successful. He did just that once again throughout his senior state tournament.
Marcus Libman 6’1 PG 2020 Pinnacle
Brophy and Chaparral both had life late in their respective state tournament games. The game changer? X-Factor, Marcus Libman. The game plan for beating Pinnacle was very clear from both teams: Make someone other than Mannion or Brown score the ball. In both games, he got a rhythm in the 3rd and 4th quarter that would aid in putting the basketball game away. His confidence was unrattled vs. Chaparral after starting the game 1-5. He locked down on defense and shot the basketball at a high level the rest of the game. Further, his energy was contagious and aided in the confidence of everyone on the court.
Jordan Joseph 6’5 PF 2020 Chaparral
Joseph’s athleticism and ability to finish around the rim was a game changer for Chaparral throughout the state tournament. He changed the game vs. Hamilton due to his ability to make plays that many cannot make. He did the same thing against Pinnacle. Joseph was vital to Chaparral’s state tournament run.
Alem Huseinovic 6’3 PG/SG 2020 Chaparral
Huseinovic was not afraid of the moment whatsoever in the title game. He hit big shot after big shot while not taking any rushed or forced shots. In fact, it probably would have served the team well to continue to find ways to put the basketball in his hands due to his high percentage shooting and confidence. Huseinovic was solid throughout the state tournament. With Joseph and Huseinovic coming back, Chaparral should be considered one of the top contenders in 6A for next year.
Jalen Williams 6’4 PG 2019 Perry
Williams did what he has done throughout his high school career in the state tournament: Score the basketball. He shot the basketball at an extremely high level which made it challenging for opposing teams to guard him. Further, he facilitated well to Perry’s other weapons. This group had all it needed to make it to the state championship. However, they were cut short by having to play Pinnacle in the semifinals.
2nd Team All-Tournament
Dylan Anderson 6’10 PF 2022 Perry
Anderson is the primary reason that Perry is the favorite to win the 6A state title next year. He is a skilled and fairly polished stretch 4 despite only being a freshman. With time on the circuit this off-season and an opportunity to get stronger, it is scary to think what he will look like next season. In this state tournament, he demonstrated his versatile skill set and scored the basketball effectively from an array of spots on the floor. Further, he played with a high IQ and was solid on the defensive end of the floor.
Blaise Threatt 6’2 PG 2019 Chaparral
While his numbers weren’t as flashy as Huseinovic or Joseph, it is safe to say that Chaparral is not in the state championship without Threatt. He was the primary prospect that Pinnacle was focused on defensively due to his ability to generate offense for himself and everyone else on the team. His wide body and soft touch enables him to get into the paint at will and score at a high level. Further, when the defense rotates, he gets the basketball moving and puts his teammates in good spots.
Alec Bryan 6’6 PF/C 2019 Chaparral
Bryan brought versatility to Chaparral. He was responsible for guarding Libman in Chaparral’s attempt to pack the paint and force someone other than Mannion or Brown to beat them. Unfortunately, it did not work in the 2nd half due to Libman catching fire, but Bryan executed the role as well as he could have. He made a number of solid defensive plays, crashed the glass well, and shot it well from deep throughout the tournament.
Kyle Patterson 6’5 SF/PF 2019 Perry
While Patterson is exploring football at the next level, he demonstrated that he could definitely play post high school basketball in the state tournament. He is a knockdown shooter with a solid handle. This allows him to score from multiple spots on the floor. Further, his physical build enables him to bully defenders and clean up the glass. He brought a physicality to this team’s defense that was much needed as well.
TyTy Washington 6’3 PG 2021 Cesar Chavez
Washington has made a name for himself with his smooth mid-range jump shot. After dropping 30+ once again, he had a chance at the buzzer against Chaparral from his favorite place on the floor. Unfortunately, he was unable to connect. However, Washington showed the state, once again, that Chavez will not be a team to overlook for future state titles. He scores the basketball at a high level and is a dog.