Nevada H.S Preview: Palo Verde Panthers
The 4A Mountain Northwest may be from top to bottom, the most competitive division in the state. Last season Palo Verde epitomized the parity of the league by finishing exactly 6-6 in conference. This season, with four starters returning, including…
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Continue ReadingThe 4A Mountain Northwest may be from top to bottom, the most competitive division in the state. Last season Palo Verde epitomized the parity of the league by finishing exactly 6-6 in conference. This season, with four starters returning, including do it all guard Kade Madsen, the Panthers are looking to improve on last season’s conference record. In this article PH takes a look at some of the key contributors for the Palo Verde Panthers.
Head Coach:
Pat Condron 2nd Season
Conference: 4A Mountain Northwest
Key Returners:
Kade Madsen (featured image) (#21PHN 2020) 6’1 SG 2020 – Madsen is an absolute stud. Alpha personality with the ability to take over games. Quick twitch athlete that likes to play above the rim. He did it all for the Panthers last season, leading the team in scoring, assist and steals.
Connor Peterson 6’1 PG 2020 (#40PHN 2020) – Peterson and Madsen form one of the more exciting backcourts in the state. Their skills blend together seamlessly. Peterson can handle, create and knock down jumpers. He’s effective playing both on and off the ball, and has a knack for finishing around the bucket in a variety of ways.
Jason Condron 6’0 SG 2021 – Condron is a high IQ guard. A knock down shooter, that provides floor spacing, and perimeter d. Last year in limited minutes, he averaged over 4 per game. Condron is a hard worker, who was still getting up shots well after the workout had concluded.
Antonio Mallerio 5’10 PG 2020 – The Panthers will be guard heavy this season. The play of Mallerio may determine whether this is an advantage or not. The lefty is a scrappy hard nose competitor. Mallerio is not afraid to stick his nose in and battle for rebounds, evident by averaging over 3 per game from the guard position. Good floor general and his ability to protect the basketball frees up Peterson and Madsen to score.
Harlan Nichols 6’5 PF 2020 – Nichols gives the Panthers an inside presence. Terrific rim runner, who can play pick and pop basketball out to about the elbow. He also is a skilled player with his back to the basket, Nichols has several 1 on 1 post moves that he’s effective with. His two best traits may be the fact that he plays extremely hard, and is a high academic performer who scored a 30 on his ACT’s.
Key Newcomers:
Mike Smith 6’2 SF 2022 – Smith is a live body that can be a huge X factor for the team. He’s a good athlete, and if he buys into Palo’s defensive principals he has the ability to be effective guarding multiple positions. Right now he’s primarily a driver and slasher.
Top Prospect: Kade Madsen – Kade Madsen is must see basketball. Super Alpha, that oozes confidence. Madsen is the type of guy that walks out to the golf course his first time and gets a hole in one. An explosive run and jump athlete Madsen does a little bit of everything. He’s a playmaker, knock down shooter and elite on ball defender. He’ll have the opportunity to stuff the stat sheet partly because it will be difficult to take him off the floor, mostly because he is a terrific player that will make for a nice pickup for some school.