5A Region Preview: Metro
All of the regions for 6A have been covered, and now it is time to move to 5A with a preview on the Metro region. This region features multiple teams that should be considered not only potential region title winners,…
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Continue ReadingAll of the regions for 6A have been covered, and now it is time to move to 5A with a preview on the Metro region. This region features multiple teams that should be considered not only potential region title winners, but state championship winners. This should be a fun group to watch.
Metro Top 3
Apollo High School
At this point, Apollo is not just the top candidate for winning the metro region. They are the favorite to win the state championship. Returning, Apollo has one of the top backcourts in the entire state with NCAA Division-I prospects Holland Woods and Dre Marin. Marin’s ability to play lock down defense, hit shots from anywhere on the court, and play mistake free basketball mixed with Woods’ playmaking ability is enough to make them a top tier talent. Add to it that they will have 2019 Emmanuel Taban, 2017 knockdown shooter Jeff Perez, and another skilled PG/SG in Elloheim Clark. This team is dangerous and has the ability to play an array of styles due to their versatility. Expect them to make a deep run in the state tournament after a highly successful regular season in which they won the region and the region tournament ended far too early in the state tournament.
Sunnyslope High School
If Apollo is the leading contender for winning this region and the state tournament, Sunnyslope is 1b in both categories as they return the bulk of a very talented team that made it all the way to the state championship for Division 1 basketball next season.Gone is leading scorer from last season in Dane Maggi, and back will be a good portion of juniors, seven of which were on the varsity team last year. Look for 2018 prospect Chris Orozco, a big bodied 3/4 who has some nice footwork on the block and a consistent mid-range jumper, and 2018 Kyle Fischer, a high level talent who makes an impact in an array of ways due to his hard nosed style of play and skill, to be the highest level players on the team. In addition, 2018 Bryson Mewhinney, a crafty and quick lefty who gets into the paint well and shoots the ball with consistency off of the dribble from mid-range and the 3, and 2018 Terrence Gilder, a strong guard who makes few mistakes and plays pressure filled defense, will add a lot of guard depth and talent to this group. Do not miss January 17 or 31 as Apollo and Sunnyslope will face each other in games that will most likely determine the winner of the Metro region.
Ironwood High School
The Eagles return the vast majority of their roster with a good balance of young and senior led talent. Last year’s team captain, 2017 Cody Carmichael, looking to run the team and improve a 12 point, 4 assist, and 4 rebound per game performance last season. In addition to Carmichael, the eagles feature good size and much improved big man, Geoff Hibbitt, who has become one of the best players on this team due to his solid footwork, aggressiveness, and ability to play the pop four and the five; and Noah Foskit, a 6’6 big man who has improved his ability to play on the perimeter and on the block. Moreover, Ironwood looks for a strong return from 2018 Tyrese Eugene who averaged 7 points per game as a sophomore while guarding the best player on the opposing team. Lastly, the Eagles will rely heavily on sharp shooting from 2017 guards Marko Paravac and George Lopez. Be ready for their bench to feature some length and youthful talent that should be ready to contribute at an extremely high level.
Metro Best of the Rest
McClintock – The Chargers lost a lot of talent last year; however, look for Josh Baker and Adam Wright to make a huge impact in a McClintock team that could easily make a top 3 appearance in this region.
Players to Watch
Josh Baker 6’0 PG 2018 McClintock
Adam Wright 6’0 PG/SG 2017 McClintock
Cody Carmichael 5’9 PG 2017 Ironwood
Geoff Hibbitt 6’6 PF/C 2017 Ironwood
Noah Foskit 6’6 PF/C 2017 Ironwood
Marko Paravac 5’11 SG 2017 Ironwood
George Lopez 5’11 PG 2017 Ironwood
Tyrese Eugene 6’0 PG 2018 Ironwood
Chris Orozco 6’6 PF 2018 Sunnyslope
Kyle Fischer 6’3 SG/SF 2018 Sunnyslope
Terrence Gilder 5’11 PG 2018 Sunnyslope
Bryson Mewhinney 5’11 PG 2018 Sunnyslope
Elloheim Clark 6’3 PG/SG 2017 Apollo
Emmanuel Taban 6’6 SF 2019 Apollo
Holland Woods 6’1 PG 2017 Apollo
Dre Marin 6’2 SG 2017 Apollo
Jeff Perez 5’11 SG Apollo