Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from May, 2020

Lady X Tournament

In one of the more exciting Championship games at the Lady X Tournament Millennium defeated Perry in an overtime thriller in which Tournament MVP Kassady Dixon delivered a last second assist to Sophomore Guard Mia Amundsen, who was able to drain a game winning 3 as time expired.  The matchup showcased the 2018 Champion vs the 2019 Champion.   While this year's tournament did not have all the perennials powers that it usually showcases, presumable due to it postponement from its June slot due to the the pandemic, it did not disappoint in terms of game play and excitement.  What follows are some take a ways that we have about the teams that made the Lady X Tournament a success in 2020.   Millennium (Finished #1 with an Overtime victory over Perry) is still talented.  They have a D1 committ in Kassidy Dixon (GCU) and a top 5 Freshman in Ellie Guiney.  However they are not still a defensive minded program. In the past the Tigers would hang their hat o...
Post a Comment
Read more

6A Contender: Xavier College Prep

Back to Back Title Game appearances has put Xavier College Prep in the conversation every year, to win a 6A championship.   Coming off of a 18-11 season in 2019-20 and a no. 10 seed in the state playoffs, the Gators will lean on young stars and a mix of veteran returnees.   In 2018, Xavier made it all the way to title game, falling to Valley Vista.   In 2019, they returned to the final game, falling to Hamilton, in 2020, the Gators fell to upstart Westwood of Mesa, in the round of 16.   2020-21 could be the year that Head Coach Jennifer Gillom breaks through and bring home the Golden Ball trophy.   The Gators will need good play from their young leaders in 20-12.   Sophomore Mia Davis has unique size and skill for a guard.   She was the 2 nd leading scorer on the 19-20 team at just over 9 points a game.   Her ability to get to the hoop and distribute the ball on offense will be key to Xavier’s success in 20-21.   At her size, 6’1” she wil...
Post a Comment
Read more

6A Contender: Pinnacle

Many changes have come to Pinnacle.  A coaching change, most likely a stylistic change, and maybe even a player change.  Head Coach Rick Bunger has resigned after several years of success leading the Pioneers a Final Four appearance in 2020.  In comes Erica Farnsworth from Shadow Mountain, where she appeared in several Final Fours in 4A and won the 2019 State Title.  Bunger’s style was man to man defense and motion offense with a set of movements that allowed for players to make plays.  Farnsworth’s style, in the past few years at Shadow Mountain, was a zone-based defense both half court and full court, with a set-based offense.  The question is how well do the Pinnacle players transition to this different coaching styles.  On paper Pinnacle has the two of the biggest pieces in place for success.  First is senior guard Ally Stedman.  She is one of the best off the dribble shooters in the state and can really get her teammates open....
Post a Comment
Read more

6A Contender: Hamilton

Hamilton 2 trips to the Championship game, 1 title in the past 2 seasons as well as another title to boot has made Hamilton a perennial contender to cut down the net in 6A.   Hamilton does lose some firepower from its back to back title game runs.   3 seniors to graduations and at least one key player has chosen to go the Prep School route.   This will give Coach Trevor Neider a big challenge if they are to return to a 3 rd straight title game appearance.   If anyone can do it, it should be the Huskies, who have always played tough defense and shot the ball well, when they needed to. The Husky’s will be led by 2 senior guards with tons of experience.   Graciela Roybal has played in 88 games over her 3 years at Hamilton.   She has range from deep and can get her shot off quickly, which is needed as a shooter of her size.   She fills up the score sheet in a hurry.   The other guard is Amyah Reaves.   She has played in 66 games for the Husk...
Post a Comment
Read more

6A Title Contender: Valley Vista

Valley Vista -  The Monsoon are Defending 6A champs.  They have won 3 titles in the past 4 years and will return most of the core that won the 19-20 title.  Led by Senior Post Marissa Davis Jones who has been instrumental in 2 of those Championships, the Monsoon look to repeat in 20-21.  Jones was able to expand her game from a primary post threat and rebounder, into a full wing threat.  She might just be the best all around player in the state as she can score the ball from anywhere on the court as well as guard 1-5.  She will be a top candidate for player of the year.   Davis Jones is not the only threat that Valley has.  Junior Guard Jenna Isia, missed a good portion of the season with a knee injury that she suffered in last years club season.  Isia was able to play significant minutes in the big games vs Hamilton and Perry, which seemed to carry the Monsoon over the hump. She has an innate ability to get in the lane and lives from th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Popular posts from this blog

Lady X Tournament

In one of the more exciting Championship games at the Lady X Tournament Millennium defeated Perry in an overtime thriller in which Tournament MVP Kassady Dixon delivered a last second assist to Sophomore Guard Mia Amundsen, who was able to drain a game winning 3 as time expired.  The matchup showcased the 2018 Champion vs the 2019 Champion.   While this year's tournament did not have all the perennials powers that it usually showcases, presumable due to it postponement from its June slot due to the the pandemic, it did not disappoint in terms of game play and excitement.  What follows are some take a ways that we have about the teams that made the Lady X Tournament a success in 2020.   Millennium (Finished #1 with an Overtime victory over Perry) is still talented.  They have a D1 committ in Kassidy Dixon (GCU) and a top 5 Freshman in Ellie Guiney.  However they are not still a defensive minded program. In the past the Tigers would hang their hat o...
Post a Comment
Read more

5A Contender: Gilbert

The Tigers have completely owned the East Valley for the past 4 years.  They have made 4 straight trips to the Final 4 in both 6A and 5A.  Each of those trips they fell to West Valley powers Millennium or Valley Vista.  Once, 2019, they were able to make it to the championship game, but fell again to Millennium.  But against the rest of state and particularly the East Valley, they have won an astonishing 88 games with only 1 loss in that 4-year span.  They truly have dominated the East Valley.  Now with Millennium and Valley Vista losing so many top players to graduation and Prep Schools, is 2021 the year the Gilbert can win a 5A Championship? Time will tell. The Tigers graduated 33 points a game from its 2020 Final 4 team.   But with seniors graduation, comes plenty of opportunity for younger players to contribute in 2021.   They will be led by some players with extensive varsity experience.   One of these players is Nicole Evenson.  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Rise of the Prep School: Part 2

During our previous post we discussed how the Prep Schools recently arose in Arizona This type of talent drain in one state is not common.   In states like California, New York, and Ohio, the most talent laden teams are nonpublic, often private academies such as Arch Bishop Mitty, La Jolla Country Day, St. Johns, and Riverdale Baptist.   Since these schools have established campuses, curriculum, and teaching staffs, the top players in areas around them would flock to play at these prestigious and elite schools.   In Arizona open enrollment has allowed Public High Schools like East Valley schools Hamilton, Perry, Gilbert, and Chandler and schools like Valley Vista, Millennium, and Tolleson in the West Valley to be power houses.   In addition to this, Tucson schools such as Sabino and Sahuaro have been strong contenders.   With that said there are a few traditional private preparatory academies that have had major success in the past 15 years such as Seton Ca...
Post a Comment
Read more
Tweets by AzPrepsGirlzHo1