Tournament Preview: Judy Dixon Classic
A number of holiday tournaments are underway with the Judy Dixon Classic taking off on December 27. One difference is that this tournament will take place at Greenway rather than at multiple locations.
This tournament features some of the top 4A and 5A teams in the state and should be quite competitive. Here is our preview of the tournament.
Tournament Preview: Judy Dixon Classic: First Eight
Teams:
Rincon vs. Moon Valley, Estrella Foothills vs. Independence, Flagstaff vs. Shadow Ridge, and Walden Grove vs. Apollo
Prediction:
The top game in the initial round is Walden Grove vs. Apollo. Walden Grove uses their skilled guards extremely well and do a great job of moving the basketball side to side. As far as Apollo is concerned, they have the most highly recruited player in the tournament in Emmanuel Taban. Taban will be a mismatch nightmare for every team that plays against them in this side of the bracket. Apollo will survive which will make Walden Grove the most likely candidate to win the consolation championship.
The final four for this side of the bracket will be tough with two of the top 4A teams, Moon Valley and Estrella Foothills, and two of the top 5A teams, Shadow Ridge and Apollo, competing.
Apollo is finally at full strength with all of their transfers becoming eligible. While they will be more talented and deeper, it will be interesting to see how the players mesh with the rest of the teams having played half of the season together.
With that said, Apollo will make it to the semifinals and play against a talented Estrella Foothills team that is led by Grant Greabell. Apollo’s athleticism and improved length will be the deciding factor as they make their way into the championship.
Players to Watch:
Apollo: Emmanuel Taban, Paris Woods, Demetrius Edwards, and Tramane Lee
Estrella Foothills: Grant Greabell and Shaun Wahlstrom
Moon Valley: Jok Jok and Gabe Lee
Shadow Ridge: Anthony Garza and Hunter Tillett
Walden Grove: Conner Verdugo, Chase Verdugo
Independence: Emad Elniel and De’Shawn Pearson
Flagstaff: K.P. Kortsen and Troy Yazzie
Rincon: Japhon Harrison
Judy Dixon Classic: Bottom Eight
Teams:
Washington vs. Ironwood, Peoria vs. Valley Christian, Valley Vista vs. Tucson, and Ironwood Ridge vs. Greenway
Prediction:
The top first round game is Peoria and Valley Christian. Peoria has played well against some of the top teams in 4A and have won 5 out of their last 7. Although Valley Christian’s record is not stellar, they have plenty of talent as well. Although Peoria is the favorite in this game, Valley Christian is capable of taking this one.
Ironwood and Peoria will match-up in a district 2nd round match-up while the two Tucson schools, Tucson and Ironwood Ridge will take on each other.
Ironwood and Peoria will be interesting due in large part to the amount of athleticism that both teams possess. The winner of this game will take on a skilled Tucson team that is led by point guard Derek Williams and Eddy Cordova. Despite both teams possessing athleticism, the length of Ironwood with Dhol Majak and Ajang Aguek will be too much for Peoria. Further, they will have no answer for the scoring abilities of 2020 Dominc Gonzalez.
Ironwood will continue their winning streak as they take down Tucons in a match-up that will be quite challenging due to the strong guard play of Tucson.
Players to Watch:
Ironwood: Dominic Gonzalez, Tyrese Eugene, Dhol Majak, Ajang Aguek, Malik Smith
Tucson: Derek Williams, Eddy Cordova, and Deshaun Bowens
Peoria: Lahad Adeim, Isaac Monroe, and Kaleb Brown
Ironwood Ridge: Jack McKearney
Valley Christian: Jalen Grijalva, Conner Braun, and Zach Timmer
Washington: Momo Franklin, Jared Smiley, Orrlando Moore
Valley Vista: Josh Holloway
Greenway: N/A