Predictions: 4A Desert Southwest X-Factors
The 4A Desert Southwest Basketball conference maybe one of the most talent rich conferences in all of Nevada. It is a conference for years that have been led in large part by Bishop Gormon and Clark. If you casually look…
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Continue ReadingThe 4A Desert Southwest Basketball conference maybe one of the most talent rich conferences in all of Nevada. It is a conference for years that have been led in large part by Bishop Gormon and Clark. If you casually look through the player rankings you’ll see the likes of Noah Taitz, Mwani Wilkinson, Martell Willams just to name a few. Along with the household names this conference has it is also loaded with a lot of different X-Factor’s that will pay huge dividends as the season develops.
Mason Mich’l 6’7 Desert Oasis C 2021 (#17 PHN 2021) – Here’s one of my biggest stock risers in the state. Desert Oasis has one of the better back-courts in all the state led by Dominque Ford and Nathan Van. Mich’l is indeed my X-Factor on this team because his size and his ability to stretch out and hit the open jump shot. He was a JV player most of last year when he moved up to varsity he had a 20 point 11 rebound game. He has great size and can provide rebounding and help defense. Mich’l knows how to find his rhythm. What I have learned bout this division is having a legit inside presents maybe one of the keys to making a statement.
James Webster 6’4 Spring Valley SG 2020 (PHN #44 2020) – Talent wise Webster can ball with anyone in this division. In fact, Webster is one of three double-digit scorers that Spring Valley is returning. Webster averaged 13 ppg a season ago. The biggest knock on Webster is his health he’s only played 15 games the last two seasons. If Spring Valley wants to contend they need Webster at full strength. If he is fully healthy this season it’s safe to say he could be the biggest X Factor in this conference. The 6’4 Guard is a physical specimen. Between himself and teammate Amari James Spring Valley may have one of the top back-courts in Nevada. Webster is a fantastic finisher around the rim. He’s a natural jump shooter. Tremendous run and jump ability. His game is all there hopefully is health is.
Sterling Knox 6’3 Durango SG 2024 – Durango may arguably have the best freshman class in the state. With Knox and Sebastian Mack. Knox, is a knock down shooter who provides floor spacing for the team. Durango’s team strength in my opinion is their guard play. Led by Tone Hunter and Keshon Gilbert. When ever you have pass first guards on your team having active shooters and good spacing is imperative. That’s where the addition of Knox becomes that much more important. Knox has good size for the position. Once he fully grows into his body he can develop into one of the top wings in the state.
Braden Lamar Bishop Gorman 6’5 SF 2020 (#10 PHN 2020) – Hate to be Captain Obvious here but Gormon has a ton of talent. Even in saying that Gormon lost two key front court players on there team in center Max Allen and F Isaiah Cottrell. Lamar is one of those players who will benefit in playing extra minutes. Lamar is a strong physical wing. Lamar is a natural shooter. Good athlete with the ability to finish at the rim and can get to the rim off the dribble. Most importantly for Gormon he is a willing defender. Gormon lost a lot of inside defense with those two departures. However, Lamar is a guy with plenty of experience that they can plug in and feel comfortable being a key contributor.
Cameron Kimble 6’4 SG Clark 2021(#7 PHN 2021) – Kimble maybe the biggest stock riser in he state. He was a key contributor on a 4A state runner up squad last season. With success you often lose key members on your team. Clark lost 8 seniors So Kimble is in an absolute ideal spot for a breakout year. Kimble is a long 6’4 that is quick and very hard to guard. He has plenty of big game experience. It wouldn’t shock me if he led the conference in scoring because he will be asked to do a lot not only that he has all the physical tools to score and score at will. Kimble will surely draw the top player from each team night in and night out. Every game Kimble plays in this conference is a much watch game.
John Fox 6’6 C Sierra Vista 2020 (#61PHN 2020) – John Fox has an old man’s game and I mean that in the purest way possible. Fox is a young man that knows his role and plays it well. He’s undersized as a center but fundamentally that doesn’t matter. He has a strong box out game using his 225 pound frame. He’s a very strong rebounder, he has very nimble feet on the inside. Feathery soft touch around the basket. Fox really upped his stock this summer averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds per game. He’s received a ton of interest from D2 schools. I think he is in for a huge year in his senior year.
Noah Sherrard 5″11 G Silverado H.S (#28 PHN 2021)- Sherrard is really coming off a strong summer. He displayed plenty of court vision and strong basketball IQ. Sherrard maybe one of the best pure shooters in all of the state. Last year as a sophomore he made 51 threes. I feel as he grows more comfortable in his role that number can increase. He is a huge part of Silverado’s future he had a number of signature performances a year ago including a 18 point 3 assists 2 steal ball game to help clinch Silverado the third seed in the playoffs against Durango. He may be the most underrated player on a stacked Silverado team.