Basketball Tournament Preview: Sunnyslope Hoopsgiving Tournament
The Sunnyslope Hoopsgiving Tournament will be hosted at two sites this year with Sandra Day O’Connor and Sunnyslope playing host. This particular tournament features a number of quality opponents and should be quite competitive.
Sunnyslope Hoopsgiving Tournament: First Eight
Teams:
O’Connor vs. Greenway, Liberty vs. NFL Yet, Apollo vs. Sunrise Mountain, Ironwood vs. Deer Valley
The top half of the bracket is loaded with last year’s 5A Runner-Up in Apollo and 5A Final Four qualifier Liberty. Add Deer Valley and Ironwood to that list. Deer Valley and Ironwood highlight the first round of the tournament. Both are picked to finish in the top 10 in the Way Too Early Rankings and meet in the first round. Making it out of this particular bracket will be quite challenging to say the least and should provide for some exciting games early in the season.
Prediction:
The winner of the Deer Valley and Ironwood game will make it alive and to the championship game. Although Apollo will be stout and play hard, they are still young and will experience some growing pains early. Liberty will also be without a couple of key contributors, one being Josh Ursery who will not be able to play until later in the season due to transferring.
Players to Watch:
Ironwood: Ajang Aguek, Dominic Gonzalez, Dhol Majak, Tyrese Eugene
Deer Valley: Deven Breckner, Bryce Davis, Jaret Allen, Johnny Diaz
Liberty: Jacob Edahl and Quentin Guliford
NFL Yet: Shekeedren Bryant
Apollo: Emmanuel Taban, Paris Woods, and Marcus Wady
Sunrise Mountain: Logan Shinaut and Cody Fowler
O’Conner: TJ Connaker, Keaton Rodgers, and Chase Morley
Sunnyslope Hoopsgiving Tournament: Bottom Eight
Teams:
Sunnyslope vs. Thunderbird, Estrella Foothills vs. Peoria, Camelback vs. Moon Valley, and Rancho Solano vs. Trevor Browne
The top half of the bracket has more firepower cumulatively. With that said, Sunnyslope brings back their entire team. Thus, they will be heavily favored to win this side of the bracket. In addition to being favored to win this side of the bracket, they are the favorite to win the entire tournament.
Prediction:
Sunnyslope will win out on this side of the bracket. Their toughest game will come in the second round against Estrella Foothills who will have Grant Greabell and Shaun Walhstrom. After taking down Foothills, Sunnslope will have a tough battle with 2A state champion favorite Rancho Solano.
Players to Watch:
Sunnyslope: Chris Orozco, Bryson Mewhinney, Kyle Fischer, Allan Abayev
Thunderbird: Clarence Bozeman
Estrella Foothills: Grant Greabell and Shaun Wahlstrom
Peoria: Lahad Adeim, Kaleb Brown, Isaac Monroe, and Khot Anyieth
Camelback: William Rhymes and Jacob Helean
Moon Valley: Jok Jok and Gabe Lee
Trevor Browne: Ambulai Quayle and Rosario Preciado
Rancho Solano: Caden Hoffman, Nikc Jackson, Hunter Ruck, and Kiimani Holt
Championship Prediction:
Sunnyslope wins the championship in a hard fought battle over Ironwood or Deer Valley.