Tarrian’s Take: 2019-2020 Nevada All State Team Predictions
We are just a couple weeks away from the start of what should be a very exciting year in high school basketball in Nevada. The collection of talent in this state is extremely stacked. The race for who will win…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe are just a couple weeks away from the start of what should be a very exciting year in high school basketball in Nevada. The collection of talent in this state is extremely stacked. The race for who will win player of the year will be an intense battle. It is a little bit early to even discuss this. However, I’ve always been a better early than never kind of guy. So here are my first and second team predictions.
First Team
Jaden Hardy, Coronado (6-4,G) Last year as a sophomore Hardy won the Southeast League’s MVP. He averaged 25.3 points 8.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists. In his first 50 games he has scored 1,324 points. The scary part is he is just a junior and has so much more time to go in his prep hoops career. Arguably the best PG in the class of 2021. He displays a great understanding of keeping his team playing at a pace. It’s Hardy’s show and if you’re guarding him you’re welcomed to it. Hardy has a great ability to take control of a game. He can get in the lane and dish to open teammates.He has the size to see over smaller guards, and the athleticism to blow by and finish over larger ones.
Julian Strawther, Liberty (6-7,F) A season ago as a junior he made the All-Southeast League first team. He averaged 26.3 points helping Liberty reach the Desert Region quarterfinals. The recent Gonzaga signee is a gifted wing-type player he has a soft touch from close and far away, crafty ball skills, and a high basketball IQ. His game reminds me a lot of Jason Tatum of the Celtics. He has the ability to play multiple positions on the floor and he was a 5 star recruit for a reason. He is the key to Liberty’s success and definitely be in the running for player of the year.
Donovan Yap, Arbor View (6-3,G) As a junior the recent UNLV signee was a first-team All-Northwest League selection and led Arbor View to its first state tournament appearance. He averaged 15.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals. Yap has a multi facet of skills he can bring to a team, but the two that are the most vital to his game are his high IQ and playmaking ability. These two go hand in hand as he is able to determine whether to attack and look to score or drive and kick it out to his open shooters. He is a gym rat the loves the game of basketball and is always looking for ways to approve.
Martel Williams, Silverado (6-3, F) Maybe the most well rounded scorer in this class. He was a first-team All-Southwest League selection a season ago. The now senior averaged 22.3 points and 9.1 rebounds. He is a heavy favorite to lead the state in scoring. He is built like a house of bricks and can have his way with any guard in the state. Williams is an ambidextrous player meaning he can score with either hand around the basket. He has range for days and a silky smooth release. When his ball goes through the net the net gets stuck. Williams is an excellent rebounder for his height at 6’2 averaging 9 rebounds one shy of a double-double. The most impressive aspect of his rebounding ability is that he can get in and out of transition with ease and is a force when the ball in his hands.
Second Team
Will McClendon, Bishop Gormon (6-4, G) Averaged 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals last year as a sophomore. He made the All Southwest League second team a year ago. Big time shooter off the catch. Hit 7 3’s in a game last year. 3 and D describes his game perfectly. He has great length to defend. Good passer and team player. He knows when to shoot the ball. He has a good handle, very smart passer. He can shoot the ball off the dribble. He has great potential to be in the first team. Gormon is always stacked.
Anthony Hunter, Durango (6-1,G) As a junior Hunter made the All-Southwest League first team. He average 22.4 points, 4.0 rebounds 4.6 assists and 2.9 steals. Hunter just has that IT factor he’s 6’0 but plays like he is 6’7 a natural leader that will put his body on the line to win a game. He has good range on his jump shot can finish tough around the basket and displays great court vision. Tone may very well lead the valley in steals. He had one of my all time favorite performances last season scoring 33 vs Bishop Gormon. That performance alone showed me he is a big game player.
Milos Uzan, Desert Pines (6-2,G) As a freshman he was the Northeast League’s MVP. He averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.0 steals. At 6’3 he has the size to see over defenders, and he uses that size to show off his elite passing ability. As a freshmen he was among the assist leaders in the state. He will be a top leader in passing again this year with a talented team around him.
Zaon Collins, Bishop Gormon (6-1, G) Last year as a sophomore he was a first team All Southwest League selection. He averaged 9.6 points 3.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.7 steals being a key component in Bishop Gormon winning its 8th consecutive title. Pure PG. Has great handles. Very fast with the ball in his hands and can dictate the pace of a game. His nickname is “sauce” for a reason. He makes others better. Incredible speed to defend despite being undersized. His ability to change speeds helps him get by with ease.
Noah Taitz, Bishop Gormon (6-3,G)- As a junior he was a first-team All-Northwest League pick. He averaged a team best 15.6 points. Taitz is a combo wing. He is a set shooter with a smooth stroke. Very efficient off catch and shoots. Taitz has a deadly pump fake. He’s the kind of guy a defense would hate to leave open.