5A Southern Stat Projections
The season is right around the corner, so that means it is prediction time! We’ll be looking over 5A Southern and predicting the leaders in scoring, rebounding, and assists (plus some superlatives).
Player of the Year: JT Elder (Cienega 2021)
This was a hard decision, going back and forth between Kino Bellinger and JT. However, I think JT’s entire body of work gives him a slight edge over Bellinger. JT will probably lead Cienega in points, rebounds, and assists this year and that is too impressive not to take note of him. He has grown to 6’8 and has the handles of a guard. He scores, defends, rebounds, and has play making ability. He is the 2018-2019 5A Southern Player of the Year.
Most Points: Kino Bellinger
Kino Bellinger is a scoring machine, it will be very difficult for anyone in 5A to outscore him throughout the whole season. Buena did lose 6 seniors, all of which averaged around 20+ minutes, so that does worry me. Kino will probably improve his scoring average from 18.8 to around 22-24 this year, simply because he will be the main option on the team.
Most Rebounds: JT Elder (Cienega 2021)
JT is 6’8 and springy as anyone in the region. That will win him top rebounder easier this season. His long wingspan and gritty play style should average him near 8-12 rebounds per game.
Most Assists: DeMarco Dunn (Marana 2021)
I think Marana gives Dunn a lot of free-range this year. I think they put the ball in his hands and let him do what he does. I anticipate that he will be the main ball handler for the team, as he was for his AAU team this summer, and this should land him in line for most assists.
Most 3’s made: CJ Cerventez (Nogales 2019)
This kid can shoot the lights out. In our Sweet 16 Tournamnet, Nogales had the unlucky draw of matching up against Hillcrest Prep in the first round. They actually competed throughout the game and they were led by Cervantez’s incredible scoring ability. He was guarded by Jeron Artest (Hillcrest Prep 2020) for most of the game and was still able to give him trouble from deep.
6th Man of the Year: Mason Goodman (Ironwood Ridge 2020)
Mason is a very gifted passer, who has a great ability to read the floor. However, Trey Cox will most likely be the starting point guarding, leaving Goodman to be the backup point guard/6th man. I think he will do fine in this role and will provide some solid guard play when the starters are out.