10 observations from Desert Edge at Camelback
On Thursday night I attended the 4A Desert Edge at 5A Camelback game. Here were 10 observations from the two games I viewed: #1 Both teams have some nice freshman and sophs on JV. Here were some of the…
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Continue ReadingOn Thursday night I attended the 4A Desert Edge at 5A Camelback game.
Here were 10 observations from the two games I viewed:
#1 Both teams have some nice freshman and sophs on JV.
Here were some of the top prospects:
Camelback 60 Desert Edge 59
Joven Allen SF 6’2 2023 Desert Edge
-Thick power wing has strength and girth to score it inside the paint. Has a nice handle to create his own shot inside. He can also face-up and hit the catch 3pt shot and from mid-range.
Amos Slokan SG 5’8 2023 Camelback
-A very fast and athletic guard who runs by his defenders. He rebounds well despite being smaller and can hit the 3pt shot. Once he learns the game better, he will contribute immediately on varsity. He played half on freshman and half on JV.
Cuthbert Tambatamba PG 5’10 2023 Desert Edge
-One of the better passers of the class that I have seen so far early on in the season. He is very shifty and changes speeds well and plays with a good pace. He has deep 3pt range and gets by his defenders easily. A smart player who will play good minutes next year and then lead the team his junior year.
Michael O’Neal CG 6’4 2022 Camelback
Came in from Grand Rapids and is a long passing guard wing type. Sees the court really well and takes the longest strides. He is a capable 3pt shooter but loves to slash to the basket. He has unreal length and can fill in moving forward. Should be a stud on varsity next year with their 5 senior starters graduating.
Varsity game:
#2 Both schools will make the playoffs.
#3 Big Zion Johnson is a LOAD to deal with. Desert Edge doubled and sometimes tripled teamed him.
#4 Camelback guards will need to make jumpers more consistently when Zion Johnson gets doubled teamed to advance deep into the playoffs.
#5 Desert Edge has a legit chance at the elite-8 or higher.
#6 Desert Edge junior class is just as good as anyone’s in state.
#7 If Desert Edge wants to make that deep run, their bench needs to show up in big games.
#8 The Desert Edge program has turned around dramatically over the last few years.
#9 I am not sure there is a more versatile player in the state then Shay Cain and proved it last night with an insane stat line of 15 points 13 rebounds 8 assists 6 steals 4 blocks.
#10 Here were the Varsity standouts:
Desert Edge 62 Camelback 57 OT
Shay Cain SF 6’4 2021 Desert Edge
-Arguably the most unique prospect in the AIA from the junior class. He is a walking triple double and has great length, he is a quick-twitched athlete and defends all 5 positions. He blocks shots, grabs rebounds out of area and is an unreal passer. He doesn’t attempt many shots from the perimeter but he is a true point forward who is always trying to set up his teammates. He does score it efficiently inside with impressive body control.
Zion Johnson C 6’7 2020 Camelback
-Johnson is a load to deal with in the paint. He has soft hands and is a very consistent scorer. He was doubled on every touch and sometimes triple teamed yet still managed 23 points and 15 rebounds. He is all under the rim but has great length, strength and girth to help him.
Jacob Clapper SG 6’4 2021 Desert Edge
-A bigger guard who can shoot it from the perimeter. He has a stronger frame and plays hard inside to rebound the ball. He has a nice spin on the ball from deep and slashes hard to the basket. He gets high elevation and plays hard on defense. He is always fully engaged on both ends of the court.
Amarei Hunter SG 6’0 Desert Edge
-Defensive minded guard can shoot it plus is a great defender. He is very thin but has good length, quick reflexes and jumps high. He times shots consistently to block his opponents. He is a 3 and D type of player.
Adrian Banuelos PG 5’10 2021 Desert Edge
-An undersized scoring lead guard who is very quick and skilled. He has a nice handle and burst to slither into the lane to touch the paint to score it or find a teammate. He can make a catch 3 plus is a quick defensively moving his feet.
Prince Nshuti PG 5’9 2020 Camelback
-Jet quick scoring ball handler. He is fast in the open court and can get hot quickly. He had 18 points last night with 3 3pt shots made plus had a floater and a nice pull-up from around 17-feet. He can be a ball hawk on defense as well.