Mid-Season Rankings: 6A
We have officially reached the mid-season point of the 6A season. With the season in full swing, here are our 6A rankings at this point. A number of the top teams are not surprising as they made our Way Too Early Rankings.
With that said, Mountain Pointe looks to have finally maximized their talent and look like the best team in 6A as well as one of the best teams in the state cumulatively. Mountain Pointe leads the way with a number of other worthy competitors behind them.
Mid-Season Rankings: 6A
1. Mountain Pointe
Although Mountain Pointe lost to #2 Brophy, there is not a team in the AIA with the same number of quality wins on their resume. While the Pinnacle win lacks some merit due to them being far from fully staffed, Mountain Pointe still has a number of other big wins.
At the McClintock tournament, they carved through an extremely tough field en route to winning the championship. The path to winning the state championship does not get any easier. However, they have demonstrated an ability to win big games.
Amarion Cash and Khalid Price have played extremely well this year in supplemental roles to Jalen Graham. While serving this role, they have become one of the best backcourts in the state. Both are capable shooters and tough on ball defenders who can create at the rim.
While the case can be made that Brophy deserves this spot due to beating Mountain Pointe, it is extremely hard to overlook the quality of wins and the strong play of this group.
Key Players: Amarion Cash, Khalid Price, Ryan Pate, and Jalen Graham
Key Wins: Pinnacle, Westview, Perry, Desert Vista, Mesquite, Gilbert, McClintock, and Mesa
2. Brophy
Brophy is not necessarily outscoring opponents en route to their extremely strong start. Rather, they are executing extremely well offensively and playing stout defense.
Ian Burke and Jaxson Baker lead the way for this group offensively. Both players are long and skilled which possesses mismatch nightmares for opposing teams. In addition to Burke and Baker, Marques White has stepped up as of late and is playing extremely well on the offensive and defensive end.
As stated earlier, this group has a rightful claim to the #1 spot in a way due to beating Mountain Pointe. However, they still have more work to do in order to further validate that #1 ranking.
Key Players: Ian Burke, Jaxson Baker, and Marques White
Key Wins: Mountain Pointe, Perry, and Mountain View
3. Desert Vista
As far as sheer talent is concerned, Desert Vista has it. Wesley Harris and Christian Anigwe might be the best forward and center combination in the state.
Further, transfer guards, Tyrek Chambers and EJ Jackson are a strong backcourt duo who can create for themselves as well as others. Further, they are both solid on ball defenders who can impact the game on both sides of the court.
Although Mountain Pointe was able to claim the W against Desert Vista, Vista demonstrated in that game as well as many others that they are one of the more formidable teams in the state. It would not be a surprise what so ever to see Desert Vista take the championship.
Key Players: Wesley Harris, Christian Anigwe, EJ Jackson, and Tyrek Chambers
Key Wins: Chandler, Red Mountain, Shadow Ridge, and Liberty
4. Pinnacle
Pinnacle was the preseason favorite in many people’s minds, including my own as they topped the 6A Rankings prior to the start of the season. However, injuries to Nico Mannion and Trent Brown hampered their success early. In fact, Brown will finally be making his debut with less than half of the season left to play.
Between Brown, Mannion, and Spencer Rattler; Pinnacle has the best back court in 6A and arguably in the state. Although they would have to contend with Shadow Mountain for that title, Brown did not play in that game against them earlier this year, and he was extremely solid against them last year.
With this team finally at full strength, they are more than capable of running the table. They have a talented and deep team that is capable of beating anyone in the state.
Key Players: Nico Mannion, Trent Brown, Spencer Rattler, Mason Johnson, and Jordan Mains
Key Wins: Perry, Central, Mesa, Gilbert, and Sandra Day O’Connor
5. Mesa
Mesa took a year to gather themselves after winning the state championship. However, Coach Shane Burcar has this team playing at an extremely high level.
Mark Hatch was the guard in waiting after a solid campaign that aided them in winning the state championship during his sophomore year. With that said, the emergency of Zach Hobbs and Xavier Fuller has assisted this team greatly in returning to relevance.
Mesa always plays stout defense and a physical brand of basketball. In addition to skill, they are aided in their prowess to win 50/50 balls due to their toughness and competitive mentality. Mesa is definitely back in contention for the state championship.
Key Players: Mark Hatch, Zach Hobbs, and Xavier Fuller
Key Wins: Hamilton, Desert Mountain, Perry, and Red Mountain
6A Rankings: 6-10
6. Hamilton
Key Players: Zach Anderson and Rashad Smith
Key Wins: Cienega and Perry
7. Red Mountain
Key Players: Andre Harris and Timmy Allen (Utah)
Key Wins: Gilbert and Desert Mountain
8. Westview
Key Players: D’Maurian Williams, Cedric Bridges, Christian Diaz, and Cameron Katal
Key Wins: Mountain View and Gilbert
9. Mountain View
Key Players: Zach Lyons and Kaleb Doka
Key Wins: Corona Del Sol and Perry
10. Sandra Day O’Connor
Key Players: TJ Connaker, Keaton Rodgers, Chase Morley, and Elijah Trice
Key Wins: Apollo and Estrella Foothills