X-Factors in the Final-4’s
We head into the Final-4 for 4A-6A. On Tuesday we have Peoria vs St. Mary’s and Salpointe Catholic vs Catalina Foothills for 4A. Then Thursday we have Chandler vs Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista vs Skyline for 6A plus Ironwood…
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Continue ReadingWe head into the Final-4 for 4A-6A.
On Tuesday we have Peoria vs St. Mary’s and Salpointe Catholic vs Catalina Foothills for 4A.
Then Thursday we have Chandler vs Mountain Pointe and Desert Vista vs Skyline for 6A plus Ironwood vs Sunnyslope and Millennium vs South Mountain.
Every team has 2-3 players that we all know will get many touches and produce, but who are some of the X-Factors that may change the course of the game on every team.
6A
Chandler
Mekhi Mason PG 6’2 Soph–The bigger lead guard had some great moments this season and he can shoot it to stretch the defense plus defend opposing guards. If he can hit some shots and make plays, Mason may be an X-factor for the Wolves.
Mountain Pointe
Mark Brown PG 5’10 Freshman–The young bull has the game to take parts of the game over. He can hit big shots and make plays for others. Kimbrough and Williams are expected to produce, but if Brown can give them a big game, he may be the X-Factor for the Pride.
Skyline
Tyree Tyler F 6’5 Senior--He doesn’t score the ball at the high rate as the other four starters but his task may be just as important. If he can help slow down Osa and Solomon inside plus grab EVERY rebound in and out of his area limiting second chance opportunities for the bigger team, he may be the X-factor.
Desert Vista
Andrew King SG 6’2 Soph–The top-tier shooter may be the most important player for the Thunder in this particular game. Since Skyline goes zone a lot of the game, he can be the zone buster to get them out of it and King can be the X-Factor if he gets the touches.
5A
Sunnyslope
Xzavier Lino SF 6’5 Senior–Ironwood may pack it in a little with the size advantage, so if Lino can keep the defense honest and hit 2-4 3’s in the game, game #4 with these two teams could go the Vikings way and make Lino the X-Factor.
Ironwood
David Teibo PF 6’4 Senior--Slope’s size is obvious, so if Teibo can push Basham, Saunders and Lewis out just enough to make it a little tougher for them, it can make all the difference for him to be the X-Factor. It wouldn’t hurt if he can clean the glass as well.
South Mountain
Lareon Ginnis PG 5’8 Soph—Justus Jackson is having just as good a season as Holmes is, so if Ginnis can slow him down a little and make him work on the defensive end, he may be the X-Factor.
Millennium
Zach Foster SG 5’10 Senior–Choose your poison with the Tigers. They are arguably the deepest team in state but shooting can make all the difference. If Foster can stretch the floor and be an outlet for Jackson and give Holmes space to work, he can be the X-Factor.
4A
Catalina Foothills
Cody Blumenthal PG Junior--Without Hayden Moser playing, he will have to step up and hit shots plus make plays. He had a good game last time, but the stakes are higher. If he can come through on the bigger stage, he may be the X-Factor.
Salpointe Catholic
Grant Weitman SG 6’3 Senior–Nelson and Gainey will get their points but if Weitman can be the 3rd scorer plus defend or at least help on big man Menaugh, he may be their X-Factor.
St. Mary’s
Deven Dahlke SG 6’2 Senior--The Knights have A LOT of scorers but I like going with older players who may lead by example or spark the team and score. If he can score 10+ points, he may be the X-Factor.
Peoria
Andrew Camacho SG 6’0 Freshman–Another team with a lot of scoring. Camacho not only can score it but collects steals and takes charges. If he can slow down some of the talented Knights guards plus hit some 3’s, he may be the X-Factor.