AIA Superlatives: Regular Season
In this article:
As the playoffs are starting with the heavy hitters playing Wednesday-Friday seeded #1-8 in 4A-6A, let’s look back at some of the best players at many different categories.
Only the players I have personally viewed since Thanksgiving are eligible.
MVP in 6A
Elijah Saunders Elijah Saunders 6'8" | PF Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope
MVP in 5A
Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo
MVP in 4A
Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite
MVP in 3A
Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian
MVP in 2A
Garrison Sherman Garrison Sherman 6'7" | SF Scottsdale Christian Academy | 2022 State AZ SCA
Best performances I viewed live
Bradey Henige Bradey Henige 7'0" | C Cactus | 2024 State #192 Nation AZ Cactus (40 pts 20 rbs)
Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S Maricopa (33 pts 10 rebs 5+ asts 4 blks)
Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian (53 pts 8 rbs)
Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite (30+ pts vs Hamilton)
Top Newcomers in 6A
Quincy Adams Quincy Adams 6'5" | SF Hamilton | 2022 State AZ Hamilton
Kota Benson Kota Benson 6'0" | PG Mesa | 2023 State AZ Mesa
Benito Carter Benito Carter 5'11" | PG Westview | 2023 State AZ Westview
Top Newcomers in 5A
Yarell Greer Yarell Greer 5'10" | PG Higley | 2023 State AZ Higley
I’yar Shadowvine I’yar Shadowvine 5'7" | PG Ironwood | 2025 State AZ Ironwood
Top Newcomers in 4A
Brennan Peterson Brennan Peterson 6'0" | PG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ NDP
Bryce Quinet Bryce Quinet 6'3" | PG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ NDP
Top Newcomer in 3A
Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian
Breakout players in 6A
Logan Hopkins Logan Hopkins 6'2" | SG Mountain Ridge | 2022 State AZ Mountain Ridge
Caden Hunter Caden Hunter 6'5" | PF Liberty | 2023 State AZ Liberty
Breakout players in 5A
Carter Gittens Carter Gittens 6'5" | SF Sunrise Mountain | 2023 State AZ Sunrise Mountain
King Turner King Turner 6'5" | PG North Canyon | 2023 State AZ North Canyon
Breakout players in 4A
Dillan Baker Dillan Baker 6'5" | SF Salpointe Catholic | 2022 State AZ Salpointe Catholic
Calvin Windley Calvin Windley 6'3" | SF Peoria | 2023 State AZ Peoria
Breakout player in 3A
Weston Haebig Weston Haebig 5'10" | CG Sabino | 2023 State AZ Sabino
Best shooters
Andrew Camacho Andrew Camacho 6'1" | CG Peoria | 2023 State AZ Peoria
McCoy Kelly McCoy Kelly 5'11" | CG American Leadership Academy-Queen Creek | 2022 State AZ ALA-QC
Jake Lifgren Jake Lifgren 6'2" | CG Centennial | 2022 State AZ Centennial
Brennen Neal Brennen Neal 6'3" | SF Liberty | 2023 State AZ Liberty
Ashton Reese Ashton Reese 6'5" | SG Pinnacle | 2023 State AZ Pinnacle
AJ Riggs AJ Riggs 6'2" | SG Highland | 2022 State AZ Highland
Other top shooters
Bryce Ford Bryce Ford 6'2" | CG Pinnacle | 2023 State AZ Pinnacle
Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo
Tanner Pate Tanner Pate 6'3" | SG Mountain Pointe | 2022 State AZ Mountain Pointe
Deveraux Roberts Deveraux Roberts 6'0" | SG Higley | 2022 State AZ Higley
Tyler Stegmeier Tyler Stegmeier 6'0" | CG Saguaro | 2024 AZ Saguaro
Scorers
Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite
Jason Parent Jason Parent 6'4" | SF Prescott | 2022 State AZ Prescott
Styles Phipps Styles Phipps 6'1" | PG St Mary's | 2024 State #182 Nation AZ St. Mary’s
Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian
Elijah Saunders Elijah Saunders 6'8" | PF Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope
Tru Washington Tru Washington 6'3" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #61 Nation AZ Mountain Pointe
Most athletic in 6A
Quincy Adams Quincy Adams 6'5" | SF Hamilton | 2022 State AZ Hamilton
Ky Green Ky Green 6'6" | SF Liberty | 2023 State AZ Liberty
Mason Knollmiller Mason Knollmiller 6'2" | SG Highland | 2022 State AZ Highland
Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S Maricopa
Trey Phillips Trey Phillips 6'6" | PF Brophy College Prep | 2022 State AZ Brophy Prep
Most athletic in 5A
Jai Anthoni Bearden Jai Anthoni Bearden 6'6" | SF Sunnyslope | 2024 State AZ Kellis
Carter Gittens Carter Gittens 6'5" | SF Sunrise Mountain | 2023 State AZ Sunrise Mountain
KJ Perry KJ Perry 6'2" | SG Hillcrest Prep | 2024 CA-S Gilbert
Erenzo Scroggins Erenzo Scroggins 6'4" | SF AZ Compass Prep Black | 2023 State AZ McClintock
Jaylen Wesley Jaylen Wesley 6'4" | PF McClintock | 2022 State AZ McClintock
Most athletic in 4A
Anthony Batson Jr Anthony Batson Jr 6'3" | SG Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State #181 Nation AZ NDP
Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite
Kyle Hubbard Kyle Hubbard 6'4" | PF Saguaro | 2022 State AZ Saguaro
Garrison Phelps Garrison Phelps 6'6" | SG Saint Marys Catholic | 2022 State AZ St. Mary’s
Best Motors
Caden Hunter Caden Hunter 6'5" | PF Liberty | 2023 State AZ Liberty
Tru Washington Tru Washington 6'3" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #61 Nation AZ Mountain Pointe
Fastest End to End
Oakland Fort Oakland Fort 5'9" | PG Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope
Yarell Greer Yarell Greer 5'10" | PG Higley | 2023 State AZ Higley
Most Versatile
Torin Bosch Torin Bosch 6'4" | SF Basha | 2023 State AZ Basha
Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S Maricopa
Cody Williams Cody Williams 6'8" | SF Perry | 2023 State #25 Nation AZ Perry
Best Defenders in 6A
Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S Maricopa
Braeden Speed Braeden Speed 6'3" | CG Brophy Prep | 2024 State AZ Brophy Prep
Christian Warren Christian Warren 6'4" | SF Basha | 2024 State AZ Basha
Tru Washington Tru Washington 6'3" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #61 Nation AZ Mountain Pointe
Best Defenders in 5A
Yarell Greer Yarell Greer 5'10" | PG Higley | 2023 State AZ Higley
Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo
Abe Rangel Abe Rangel 6'0" | PG Centennial | 2022 State AZ Centennial
Best Defenders in 4A
Blessing Nwotite Blessing Nwotite 6'2" | SG Paradise Honors | 2022 State AZ Paradise Honors
Garrison Phelps Garrison Phelps 6'6" | SG Saint Marys Catholic | 2022 State AZ St. Mary’s
Cuthbert Tambatamba Cuthbert Tambatamba 5'11" | PG Desert Edge | 2023 State AZ Desert Edge
Best Football Hoopers
Jeremiah Newcombe Jeremiah Newcombe 5'9" | PG Casteel | 2024 AZ Casteel
Duce Robinson Duce Robinson 6'6" | PF Pinnacle | 2023 AZ Pinnacle
Heart and Soul of a Team
Isaiah Kai Isaiah Kai 6'2" | PG Campo Verde | 2023 State AZ Campo Verde
Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo
Nikko Pentelute Nikko Pentelute 6'1" | CG Gilbert | 2022 State AZ Gilbert
Jaylen Wesley Jaylen Wesley 6'4" | PF McClintock | 2022 State AZ McClintock
Wildcards of 6A for a deep playoff run
Marsai Mason Marsai Mason 6'6" | SF Phhoenix Prep | 2024 State AZ Mountain Pointe
Trey Phillips Trey Phillips 6'6" | PF Brophy College Prep | 2022 State AZ Brophy Prep
Wildcards of 5A for a deep playoff run
Ringo Aguek Ringo Aguek 6'7" | SF Ironwood | 2022 State AZ Ironwood
Isaiah Bronson Isaiah Bronson 6'2" | PG Phhoenix Prep | 2024 State AZ Gilbert
Wildcards of 4A for a deep playoff run
Zander Kamai Zander Kamai 6'3" | CG Phhoenix Prep Post Grad | 2024 State AZ Paradise Honors
Julian Riesgo Julian Riesgo 5'7" | PG Salpointe Catholic | 2022 State AZ Salpointe Catholic
All-Senior team
Dylan Anderson Dylan Anderson 7'0" | C Perry | 2022 State #88 Nation AZ Perry
Nathan Calmese Nathan Calmese 6'2" | PG Mesquite | 2022 State AZ Mesquite
Oakland Fort Oakland Fort 5'9" | PG Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope
Ahamed Mohamed Ahamed Mohamed 6'0" | PG Apollo | 2022 State AZ Apollo
Nikko Pentelute Nikko Pentelute 6'1" | CG Gilbert | 2022 State AZ Gilbert
Elijah Saunders Elijah Saunders 6'8" | PF Sunnyslope | 2022 State AZ Sunnyslope
Caleb Shaw Caleb Shaw 6'3" | CG Phhprep | 2022 State AZ Valley Christian
All-Junior team
Andrew Camacho Andrew Camacho 6'1" | CG Peoria | 2023 State AZ Peoria
Carter Gittens Carter Gittens 6'5" | SF Sunrise Mountain | 2023 State AZ Sunrise Mountain
Yarell Greer Yarell Greer 5'10" | PG Higley | 2023 State AZ Higley
Arman Madi Arman Madi 6'7" | SF Brophy | 2023 State AZ Brophy Prep
Kevin Patton Jr Kevin Patton Jr 6'8" | SF Mountain Pointe | 2023 #130 Nation CA-S Maricopa
Tru Washington Tru Washington 6'3" | CG AZ Compass Prep | 2023 State #61 Nation AZ Mountain Pointe
Cody Williams Cody Williams 6'8" | SF Perry | 2023 State #25 Nation AZ Perry
All-Soph team
Anthony Batson Jr Anthony Batson Jr 6'3" | SG Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State #181 Nation AZ NDP
Jai Anthoni Bearden Jai Anthoni Bearden 6'6" | SF Sunnyslope | 2024 State AZ Kellis
Bradey Henige Bradey Henige 7'0" | C Cactus | 2024 State #192 Nation AZ Cactus
Rowan McKenzie Rowan McKenzie 6'2" | PG Boulder Creek | 2024 State AZ Boulder Creek
Styles Phipps Styles Phipps 6'1" | PG St Mary's | 2024 State #182 Nation AZ St. Mary’s
Gabe Pickens Gabe Pickens 6'0" | PG Dream City Christian | 2024 State AZ Millennium
Braeden Speed Braeden Speed 6'3" | CG Brophy Prep | 2024 State AZ Brophy Prep
Christian Warren Christian Warren 6'4" | SF Basha | 2024 State AZ Basha
I want to mention 1 soph that had a great AIA season: (I did not view live)
Isaiah Hill Isaiah Hill 5'11" | PG Premier Prep Tucson | 2024 State AZ Pueblo
All-Freshman team
Carlos Coronado Jr Carlos Coronado Jr 6'3" | PG Supreme Academy | 2025 State AZ Cooldige
Bryce Quinet Bryce Quinet 6'3" | PG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ NDP
Zane Gaul Zane Gaul 6'10" | C Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott
Koa Peat Koa Peat 6'8" | PF Perry | 2025 State #6 Nation AZ Perry (Pictured)
Brennan Peterson Brennan Peterson 6'0" | PG Notre Dame Prep | 2025 State AZ NDP
Michael Simcoe Michael Simcoe 6'8" | PF Sandra Day O'Connor | 2025 State #217 Nation AZ SDO
Uriah Tenette Uriah Tenette 5'10" | PG Prescott | 2025 State AZ Prescott
TayVion Wilson TayVion Wilson 6'0" | PG Sandra Day O'Connor | 2025 State AZ Kellis
Other freshman who had great seasons that I didn’t view in the AIA season:
Lex Clontz Lex Clontz 6'3" | CG Cesar Chavez | 2025 State AZ Cesar Chavez
Archie Graves IV Archie Graves IV 6'0" | PG Supreme Academy | 2025 State AZ South Mountain
DeNali McNeal DeNali McNeal 6'3" | CG Canyon View | 2025 State AZ Canyon View
Dylan Novak ALA-Gilbert North
Alexander Werner Alexander Werner 6'4" | SF Premier Prep Tucson Academy | 2025 State AZ Cienega