POY Watchlist: Week 5
The State Player of the year is one of the most prestigious awards a prep player can take home in his career. No POY race in recent memory has had as many potential candidates as this one. Throughout the season…
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Continue ReadingThe State Player of the year is one of the most prestigious awards a prep player can take home in his career. No POY race in recent memory has had as many potential candidates as this one. Throughout the season PH will keep you updated with the POY race. In this article, we take a look at the candidates after week 5 .
Favorites:
Julian Strawther 6’6 SF Liberty 2020 (#2 2020) – Strawther was the winner of last week’s Twitter Poll. He has put together a strong year and is firmly entrenched as one of the favorites.
Daishen Nix 6’5 PG Trinity International 2020 (#1 2020) – The future Bruin got some much-needed time off this week. After leading his team to back to back tournament titles, Trinity had the week off. They will be back in action this week against Green Valley Christian.
Jaden Hardy 6’4 PG Coronado 2021 (#1 2021) – Hardy was off this week. He and Coronado prepare for a monster showdown against Julian Strawther and Liberty.
Contenders:
Milos Uzan 6’3 PG Desert Pines 2022 (#3PHN 2022) – Uzan currently leads DP in points and assist. With continued strong play during conference, he has an outside shot at POY honors.
Will McClendon 6’4 SG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#3 2021) – McClendon and the Gales have a terrific chance to use the momentum from Les Schwab to get on a roll. McClendon who shook off flu-like symptoms two weeks ago should be ready to go this week as the Gaels take on Durango and Silverado.
Zaon Collins 6’1 PG Bishop Gorman 2021 (#2 2021) – Collins has a terrific head to head matchup waiting for him this week, as the Gaels face-off against Anthony Hunter and Durango.
Mason Whittaker 6’5 PG Spanish Springs 2020 (#44 2020) – Whittaker has remained steady. He has helped the Cougars jump out to a 10-4 record, leading the team in points and assist.
Donavan Yap 6’2 SG Arbor View 2020 (#5 2020) – I have a feeling Yap is about to catch his second wind. Arbor view has dealt with some adversity this year, however, they are a deep, experienced, and talented squad. With the return of Big Man Jaylon Lee, I expect to see Yap’s numbers rise.
Dark Horses:
Kareem Rowe 6’4 PF McQueen 2020 – The numbers are there, however, McQueen has lost 4 out of their last 5. For Rowe to get back in the race he is going to have to help the Lancers break their slump.
Glenn Taylor 6’5 SF Cheyenne 2021 (#4 2021) – It’s Taylor time. Taylor showed last season that he has the ability to carry his team to a playoff birth. He’s currently averaging over 22 per game and playing all positions for Cheyenne.
M’Wani Wilkinson 6’6 SF Bishop Gorman 2020 (#4PHN 2020) – Wilkinson has quietly put together a POY type season. He has been the glue holding the Gaels together during a difficult stretch of the season. While he hasn’t always been the best player on the floor, he has consistently been one of the two best. He recently averaged 19 a game at the Les Schwab Invitational.
Long Shots:
Keshon Gilbert 6’2 PG Durango 2021 (#7 2021) – Gilbert looks to help the Trailblazers get back on the winning track after a 1-2 road trip down south.
Anthony Hunter 5’11 PG Durango 2020 (#6 2020) – Hunter has been steady for Durango, however, they struggled going 1-2 this past week. As conference play approaches, he will need to help the Blazers get back on the winning track in order to stay in the race.
Michael Klekas 6’3 SF Elko 2022 – (#10 2022) – Klekas will end up playing somewhere, mark my words. While he might be a long shot to win player of the year. Averaging over 25 per game for a team that has championship potential will not go unnoticed.