Region Realignment: 6A Central
6A Central is one of the toughest regions in the state. The winner of this region will have a legitimate chance of winning the state championship. Keep an eye on this region as there is plenty of talent. Corona Del…
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Continue Reading6A Central is one of the toughest regions in the state. The winner of this region will have a legitimate chance of winning the state championship. Keep an eye on this region as there is plenty of talent.
Corona Del Sol (14-13, 2-8)
Corona has a terrific basketball history and is a well-coached team. With that said, they have a lot of pieces to replace after their 14-13 season. Eric Blackwell Eric Blackwell 6'0" | CG Corona del Sol | 2020 State AZ ’s departure will be hard to recover from. However, Roberto Yellowman ii brings back the most varsity experience and success. Yellowman will play a huge role for whatever success this team has this upcoming season.
Desert Ridge (16-10, 5-5)
After a solid showing in this region last year, Desert Ridge will return 1st Team All-Region Joe Kelsey Joe Kelsey 5'10" | PG Desert Ridge | 2021 State AZ . While there is always room for other prospects to step up, it is nice to know that you have a player of that magnitude returning in this skilled region. In addition to Kelsey, Kaden Kennedy Kaden Kennedy 6'4" | SF Desert Ridge | 2021 State AZ and Matt Haltrop will also provide this team with proven leadership as well as ability. This core also has the confidence to beat region favorite, Desert Vista, as they did so last season.
Desert Vista (28-3, 9-1)
Desert Vista is losing talent to graduation and transferring. However, this team will reload and brings back plenty of talent. Desean Leque provided this team with consistent scoring while Marcus Wady Marcus Wady 5'11" | PG Bella Vista Prep | 2021 State AZ created for himself and for others. Guard play that can be trusted is vital to winning at any level. Desert Vista has guards and will be ready to compete with anyone in the state once again after claiming the 6A Title.
Highland (17-9, 7-3)
After two years at the helm, Coach Fazio has Highland moving in the right direction. Derick Kaps Derick Kaps 6'1" | PG Highland | 2021 State AZ , who transferred from Mesa Mountain View, provided the team with another skilled guard who aided in dictating the tempo of the game. AJ Riggs AJ Riggs 6'2" | SG Highland | 2022 State AZ ran the show for the duration of the season despite his youth. Riggs will play a major role in this region and be a contender for player of the year. Mason Knollmiller Mason Knollmiller 6'2" | SG Highland | 2022 State AZ provides another established prospect for a team that will look to challenge this loaded region for the region title.
Mountain Pointe (16-12, 5-5)
Mountain Pointe caught fire light and made its way to the state championship where they lost to fellow region peer Desert Vista. This team has plenty of returning prospects that should make them feel like they can compete for a region title. Jason Kimbrough Jr Jason Kimbrough Jr 6'1" | PG Bella Vista Prep | 2022 AZ and Mark Brown Jr Mark Brown Jr 6'2" | PG Bella Vista Prep | 2023 State AZ provide the team with consistent guard play. Further, they bring back an athletic rim protector in Zereoue Williams Zereoue Williams 6'7" | PF Mountain Pointe | 2021 AZ . Between these three prospects, Mountain Pointe will look to make another big leap.
Queen Creek (8-17, 2-8)
While this team finished in last place in the region last season, they have their four leading scorers from last year returning. The good news is that they should be more competitive. The bad news is that this region is returning plenty of quality prospects that will make it hard for Queen Creek to make a huge leap. If they are able to do so, Calvin Gustafson Calvin Gustafson 6'7" | PF Mountain View | 2021 State UT , Preston Thompson Preston Thompson 6'4" | SF Queen Creek | 2020 UT , Jaxton Bobik, and Raydon Thorson Raydon Thorson 5'11" | PG Phhoenix Prep | 2023 State AZ will need to continue what they did last season and take another step forward.