Game Day Previews and Predictions: Friday, Jan. 22
There are a lot of big time games tonight including numerous ranked teams facing off. Here is a look at the top games taking place. Division I #7 Gilbert at #1 Basha The Bears entered this week as the #1…
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Continue ReadingThere are a lot of big time games tonight including numerous ranked teams facing off. Here is a look at the top games taking place.
Division I
#7 Gilbert at #1 Basha
The Bears entered this week as the #1 team in Division I but a loss to Corona del Sol this week could alter that. They go head to head with a section rival Gilbert who, after having a shaky Christmas tournament, have ran off five straight. The Tigers frontcourt is very good but we look to Basha’s depth to wear them down over the course of the night.
Chandler at #4 Highland
The Hawks go into tonight with momentum as they have won five straight, four against teams that are either currently ranked or are in consideration for a top ten rankings. The Wolves, however, have seen slippage, losing 4 of their last 5 games, albeit to quality opponents. Highland’s interior presence of Weber State bound Tim Fuller should prove to be too much for Chandler to match up with.
#5 Corona del Sol at #9 Perry
The Pumas have been inconsistent but, rest assured, you can guarantee that they have a lot of focus as the 4x champs come into their building tonight. Kyle Van Haren will look forward to a head to head matchup with Alex Barcello and Perry will count heavily on their interior presence to control the inside but the Aztecs have too many weapons throughout their roster. Prediction: Corona leaves on top.
#10 Mountain View at #6 Desert Mountain
The Toros have dropped two in a row against two quality opponents and are looking to bounce back behind the play of seniors Tommy Kuhse and John Trendler. The Wolves, however, have won five straight including a statement win over Mesa. Though Desert Mountain is hot, we feel that Mountain View will use pace and their size to control tempo and the glass which will lead them to a slim victory.
Division II
#2 Paradise Valley at #1 Shadow Mountain
The top two teams in Division II. The Matadors have yet to be beaten by an in state team and, as good as Paradise Valley has been playing, we don’t see that changing today. Shadow’s depth and athleticism will prove to be too much for the Trojans. This is your PrepHoopsArizona Game of the Night.
Williams Field at #4 Gilbert Christian
Gilbert Christian has too many weapons for Williams Field and will likely come out on top but the matchup of Mitch Lightfoot and Wyatt Lowell, the two top seniors in of 2016 player/prospect rankings, will be an exciting one. Lightfoot controls the inside and Lowell will look to contain him. On the other end, Wyatt’s ability to score from multiple positions will prove to be important. He will see multiple defenders including Mitch, Tony Licavoli, and Nate Graville.
#8 Saguaro at #10 Arcadia
The Sabercats have been hot recently, winning 4 of their last 5 games with their only loss being to Shadow Mountain. Their win over Higley proved them to be a legitimate contender in Division II. They are taking on an Arcadia team that has won 7 of their last 8. A matchup between Titan senior Elijah Sikora and Saguaro sophomore Jared Martin will be entertaining. Arcadia is looking like they will pull off the upset.
#9 Salpointe Catholic at Catalina Foothills
Both Salpointe and Catalina are in contention for the title of “Best team in Southern Arizona.” Tonight will be a statement game for whoever wins. The Lancers are led by 5’11” Cam Miller and have received huge contributions from senior Ethan Parkhurst and freshman Majok Deng while the Falcons have relied heavily on 6’4” senior do-it-all guard Nik Nehls. It’s likely that Salpointe will throw multiple bodies at Nehls defensively and wear him down in order to secure victory.
Division III
Cortez at #3 Moon Valley
Before last night’s loss to Millennium the Rockets had won nine straight. They enter today’s game looking to down the Colts by the use of their size and athleticism. Cortez is adjusting to a mid season coaching change and have done so rather well but Bryce Cheney and company will have too much firepower in the end.
Division IV
#3 Yuma Catholic at #5 Northwest Christian
With only one loss, the Knights will face their biggest challenge of the season. They go head to head with a Northwest Christian team who will be playing with a chip on their shoulder after falling to #4 Buckeye Union on Wednesday. In a rowdy environment NWC will come out victorious, getting a quality win over one of the state’s top programs in Division IV.