Winter Warzone: High School standouts
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On January 14th I attended Justin Vargas’s Winter Warzone tournament at the Phhacility in Phx, AZ. I watched six local prep teams with some post grad teams mixed in with HS preps. Here were some of the high school standouts: 2022…
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Continue ReadingOn January 14th I attended Justin Vargas’s Winter Warzone tournament at the Phhacility in Phx, AZ.
I watched six local prep teams with some post grad teams mixed in with HS preps.
Here were some of the high school standouts:
2022
Orlando Gonzales Orlando Gonzales 6'0" | PG Leading Edge Academy | 2022 State AZ Phhoenix Prep
One of the better shooters in the class. He squares up likes you should and lets it fly with a quick release and he comes with range. He also thinks the game and will thread the needle to his teammates and spray the ball around. He can pull-up from mid or from the 3.
Chase Mayo Harmon Chase Mayo Harmon 6'2" | CG Phhoenix Prep | 2022 State AZ Phhoenix Prep
A scoring guard with a pretty 3pt stroke. He has bounce on the break and he can drive the lane and score contested layups using his athleticism. He makes good reads to teammates and is a natural scorer from all levels.
Nathaniel Knight Nathaniel Knight 6'6" | SF AZ Compass Prep | 2022 State AZ AZ Compass Prep Green
A wildly athletic forward who flies on the break. He seems to glide in the air and will make difficult shots in traffic with good body control. He can make perimeter jumpers and will defend his position inside and out.
Lareon Ginnis Lareon Ginnis 5'9" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2022 State AZ AZ Compass Prep Green
A pure PG with one of the tighter handles in the class. He uses his long arms, speed and quickness to defend on the ball. He can burst into the lane plus step back on his defender and hit from the 3pt line.
Justin Shorts Justin Shorts 6'3" | SF Glenview Prep | 2022 State AZ Skyline Prep
A powerful downhill wing is good in the passing lanes. He has a quicker first step to burst into the lane and score among the trees. He is also a physical on-ball defender using his length and bulk. He will take charges and rebounds and his shooting stroke looks more confident.
2023
KaShar Benton KaShar Benton 6'9" | C Skyline Prep | 2024 State AZ AZ Compass Prep Green
An old school five-man is a strong post player who will score with his back to the basket. He has good hands and feet and he is a strong two-handed rebounder. He is a little grounded but strong and efficient in the paint using his girth and skill.
Masaiah Binford Masaiah Binford 6'4" | SF Ascending Life Prep | 2023 State AZ Ascending Life
A big time transition player transferred over to Ascending Life from South Mountain. He can hit the catch-3 and the athletic forward almost posterized a Skyline Prep player on the break. His skill can keep evolving but when he get rolling, he is a tough cover.
2024
Aeramiah Binford Aeramiah Binford 6'4" | SF Ascending Life | 2024 State AZ Ascending Life
MJ’s younger brother also made the move to Ascending Life. He can make contested shots in the lane, he plays the passing lanes and plays with a big time motor. He rebounds in and out of his area jumping to corral the ball at its highest point. Like his brother, he is also a star in transition.
2025
Jaden Vance Jaden Vance 6'6" | SF Bella Vista Prep | 2025 State AZ AZ Compass Prep Green (Pictured)
A scoring guard is one of the longer kids you will see. He defends his position and will collect steals plus blocks shots in his area. He has a knack for scoring the ball as he has a nice touch on his jumper to the 3pt line and he comes with range.