5A State Tournament: All-Tournament Team
The 5A State Tournament has officially completed with Sunnyslope winning the title for the 2nd time in a row. The 2018 prospects of Slope finished some of the best careers in Arizona high school history as they appeared in 3 straight state championships while winning 2 of them.
Below are the top prospects for the state tournament. These prospects were largely responsible for the success of their teams in during the state tournament.
5A State Tournament: All-Tournament Team
MVP
Kyle Fischer 6’4 SF/PF 2018 Sunnyslope
Fischer is a repeat winner of this award as he won it last year in Sunnyslope’s state championship run. Last night, he put the exclamation point on the win with a steal and a bucket in the 4th quarter to put it out of reach. He led the team in points and rebounds last night as he had an extremely solid game.
Fischer started the game with two mid-range jumpers and continued to dominate throughout. He moved the ball side to side and picked his spots well. When he did decide to shoot it, he was extremely efficient with his only struggles coming from the foul line.
Fischer was without a doubt the most dominate player in 5A this season. The role that he played for Sunnyslope was vital to them winning both of their state championships.
5A State Tournament: 1st Team
Bryce Davis 6’8 PF/C 2018 Deer Valley
Davis competed at a high level throughout the state tournament. His ability to attack the rim and shoot mid-range jumpers played a big part in Deer Valley making it to the state championship. Opposing teams struggled to guard him, with Sunnyslope doing the best. Davis looks prepared to be a solid prospect at the next level.
Deven Breckner 6’1 PG 2018 Deer Valley
While Breckner was not as efficient against Slope, he was solid throughout the state tournament. Whenever Deer Valley needed a big possession, Breckner seemed to find a way to be involved. For instance, Deer Valley looked like they were on the ropes against Paradise Valley. However, he found a way to get a huge lay-up and drive and kick for a big three.
Tashon Brown 6’0 PG 2018 Paradise Valley
Brown was one of the most fun prospects to watch throughout the tournament. He generates the most offensive out of any of the players in the 4th quarter which was crucial to the comeback that forced overtime against Deer Valley. Brown did it all season long for Paradise Valley as he made plays and put guys in position to be successful.
Chris Orzoco 6’5 PF/C 2018 Sunnyslope
Orzoco’s role was more limited this year compared to the past. However, his willingness to constantly set screens and move without the basketball and made him a huge factor all season and tournament long. Further, he is always in good help side position as a means of being ready to protect the rim. The next center for Slope will have some huge shoes to fill in order to replace the toughness and team first mentality that Orzoco brought to the table.
Koby Jones 6’5 SF 2018 Centennial
Jones’ athleticism and solid play at the right time aided Centennial in navigating to the final four for the first time in a number of years. Jones improvements were crucial to the improvements of this Centennial team and aided them in reaching their maximal potential this past season.
5A State Tournament: 2nd Team
Donovan Reagan 6’5 SG 2018 Fairfax
Emmanuel Taban 6’7 SG 2019 Apollo
Jaran Whitfield 5’10 PG 2018 Sunnyslope
Bryson Mewhinney 6’1 PG 2018 Sunnyslope
Ari Danzy 5’10 PG 2018 Deer Valley
Honorable Mentions
Jordan Morris 6’2SG 2018 Paradise Valley
Payton Nelson 6’1 PG 2018 Centennial
Jaret Allen 6’4 SG/SF 2019 Deer Valley
Nick Cupp-Allen 6’1 SG 2018 Williams Field
Dylan Newell 5’11 PG 2018 Sahuaro