5A All-Tournament Team
The state tournament for 5A is officially completed. Below is the 5A All-Tournament Team. MVP: Carson Towt 6’7 SF/PF 2019 Gilbert It was hard to choose an MVP from Gilbert as their well-balanced attack is a huge part of what…
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Continue ReadingThe state tournament for 5A is officially completed. Below is the 5A All-Tournament Team.
MVP: Carson Towt 6’7 SF/PF 2019 Gilbert
It was hard to choose an MVP from Gilbert as their well-balanced attack is a huge part of what made them difficult to beat. However, when Gilbert needed big plays, last night, Towt made it happen. On one end of the floor, he blocked a shot that brought even more life and energy to Gilbert.
Then, on the other end of the floor, he got a huge dunk that aided in giving Gilbert the momentum that would carry them the rest of the way in a low scoring affair. Towt’s effort on the offensive glass throughout the tournament and last night were as vital to the team’s success. Moreover, while DaRon Holmes protected the rim better than anyone in the state tournament, Towt provided a similar presence for Gilbert.
1st Team All-Tournament
DaRon Holmes 6’9 PF 2021 Millennium
If Millennium wins the state title, there is no question that Holmes is the MVP. In the quarterfinals, Millennium beat Ironwood by 1 at Ironwood and Holmes impacted the game by having 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 blocked shots. He followed that performance up with a huge game against Apollo in the final four.
All night, Gilbert struggled to score the basketball inside the paint due to Holmes’ presence. He impacts the game in an array of ways and demonstrated why he is a top tier prospect throughout the tournament.
Justus Jackson 5’11 PG 2021 Millennium
While Holmes is always making game changing plays, it is Jackson who makes this team go. He hits tough shots, including a mid-range jumper on the baseline last night when Millennium looked like they had lost all momentum.
Further, Jackson puts people in spots where they can make plays. He is one of the top guards in the state and showed just that in this tournament run.
Doc Self 5’10 PG 2019 Gilbert
Self, like most of Gilbert, struggled shooting the basketball last night. However, after 3 offensive rebounds on one possession, Self found himself open for a 3 pointer that he would finally connect on. That 3 pointer was a huge momentum changer that played a pivotal role in Gilbert going on a 14-0 run to take the lead at 34-32.
Big time players make big time plays. In addition to making that momentum changing 3, Self ran the show all season and throughout the tournament for Gilbert.
Emmanuel Taban 6’7 SF 2019 Apollo
While Apollo came up short, they would not have made the run that they made if Taban had not provided the presence that he provided. His knockdown shooting was vital to beating Sunnyslope convincingly in the quarter finals. Further, while Millennium controlled the game, Taban’s shooting kept Apollo in a position to make it close down the stretch.
Paul Maldonado 6’0 SF 2019 Gilbert
Maldonado hit some crucial shots against McClintock in the final four in order to get them into the championship. Further, Gilbert struggled to score against Millennium’s zone. However, Maldonado making the move to the high post proved to be pivotal. He hit a couple of mid-range jumpers and facilitated well.
Further, if we are going to give credit to Self for hitting a game changing three on a possession that Gilbert got 3 offensive rebounds, it is important to note who corralled all of the boards. Maldonado got 2 of the 3. His effort and toughness were key.
2nd Team All-Tournament
Jake Ehmann 6’3 PF 2019 Gilbert
Ehmann plays his role and does it well. Often times, it is easy to overlook him and all that he provides this team. However, his fundamentally solid play and willingness to do all of the little things ended up being the difference for Gilbert. They do not win this state championship without Ehmann and Maldonado.
Josh Baker 6’3 SG 2019 McClintock
While Baker’s numbers were not what they have been all season in the state tournament, McClintock does not make the run that they made without him. Opposing team’s game planned for him which enabled others to make plays.
With that said, Baker still hit tough shots and crucial 3s that gave McClintock a shot to beat Gilbert.
Donovan Williams 5’11 2019 McClintock
Williams had a career night in the Elite 8 vs. Cactus Shadows. Williams performance was vital to propelling McClintock into the final four.
Cassius Carmichael 6’5 SF 2019 Ironwood
While Holmes seemingly stole the show, Carmichael put together a 19 point and 10 rebound performance vs. Millennium. Further, in the 1st Round vs. Casteel, he had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Carmichael’s versatile play made him tough to compete against for opponents all year.
CJ Nnorom 6’0 PG 2019 Cactus Shadows
Nnorom did all that he could to keep Cactus Shadows alive. He had solid performances in both the 1st Round and the Elite 8 of the state tournament. Cactus Shadows competed at a high level all season and Nnorom was a big part of that.