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 will be asked to guard forwards on her opponent

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.  Steadman led the Pioneers in scoring with 18 p

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 Huskies and was named Most Outstanding Player of

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 the charity stripe.     Its Valley's inside thr