Preseason State Championship Contenders (4A)
The high school season is right around the corner! School is about to start and programs will begin open gym soon. Everything that happened last season is over and teams are now hungry to make a run at the state championship. It’s every team’s ultimate goal. Here is the preseason state championship contenders:
Favorite: Shadow Mountain
Shadow Mountain has won three state championships in a row. They look to make that four in a row this season and they will probably get that. Once again led by their dynamic duo of Jaelen House and Jovan Blacksher. Their two star guards make up the best backcourt in AZ and will once again lead them to a state championship. They are the favorite state championship contenders.
Runner-up: Salpointe Catholic
Salpointe Catholic has last the last two state championship games to Shadow Mountain. However, they look to change that this season and this may be their best chance. Majok Deng is without a doubt the leader of this squad and they will look to him to get them over the hump that is Shadow Mountain. However, Evan Nelson has shown that he is a legitimate star and has only gotten better this AAU season. I think his improvements may narrow the gap between Salpointe and Shadow Mountain. They are the runner-up state championship contenders.
Sleeper: Palo Verde
Last season the team went 21-6 and suffered a heartbreaking loss in the first round. The team has some nice pieces returning this year, all three started last year. Zionn Sandoval, Darius Rollins, and Jeffery Thomas. Sandoval won Player of the Year in his region, Thomas was named to the 2nd-Team in his region, while Rollins was selected to be on Powerhouse UAA. I think the team will be looking to avenge their early exit from last year and will be led by these young men. They are the sleeper state championship contenders.
These three teams should make for an exciting season, can’t wait!