Chad Groth and D. Wade
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Northern Arizona Spring Showcase 2012 Highlights
Click here for highlights from the Northern Arizona Spring Showcase 2012. More »
Ben Howland UCLA
Herb Sendek
Dobson wins Just Hoops Summer Tourney
Mesa, AZ – Last weekend Brian Peabody directed one of the largest annual summer high school teams only, basketball tournaments in Mesa, AZ. The Tournament took place June 22-24 at Mesa HS, Dobson HS and Mesa Mountain View HS. For updated information on next year’s event follow Just Hoops at www.justhoops.org
Over 40 teams participated in three divisions and over 600 players got exposure from Chad Groth of Area Codes Basketball and Jeff Meadows of Hoopsreport.com as we evaluated as many players as possible for our summer rankings and scouting service.
Lets break down some of the top teams and performers of the weekend.
Teams to watch for:
Varsity Division:
Kodi Justice – Dobson HS
1. Dobson (Mesa, AZ) – Very fast and get out well in transition, with Arizona’s top player in the State 2013 PG Jaron Hopkins it’s hard to stop the 6 foot 5 guard and 6 foot 5 shooting guard Kodi Justice, this is the best backcourt in the state without question. Justice a 2014 prospect gave a verbal to Arizona State and Herb Sendek last Fall and Hopkins has a mix of choices like Arizona, Stanford, Harvard, UNLV, Oregon State, USC and Colorado.
2. Ironwood Ridge (Tucson, AZ) – Peabody always has his teams ready to play and are very competitive, watch out for 6’6 Frosh Mitch Lightfoot he has great upside.
Frosh prospect – Mitch Lightfoot – Ironwood Ridge
3. Queen Creek (Queen Creek, AZ) – Talented young group and well coached. Eight solid players is all he needs and players like Jacob Hepp and Zach Auguste, not to mention 2016 Bradley Woods as a incoming freshman on varsity.
4. Durango (CO) – Coach Alan Baptiste knows how to coach, and does what he can to get his kids exposure. Baptiste is a Tucson, AZ native and former basketball star at Santa Rita does a great job is teaching and XO’s, has a good line-up of prospects like 2014 Trent Andrews, the 6 foot 6 wing has upside and Kaleb Cobb in the 2014 class.
Trent Andrews – Durango (Colorado)
5. Seton Catholic (Tempe, AZ) – Under newly hired head coach Commander King this young group should be one to watch. King knows how to coach and runs a very structured program.
6. Catalina (Tucson, AZ) – Solid younger athletes but learning, with a really good coach in Joe Preter and his teaching they will learn to develop more team concept and will improve.
7. Cesar Chavez (Phoenix, AZ) – Gary Lee always has a group of really athletic and high energy players. This team will make a strong run for the State championship this year.
Coronado (Scottsdale, AZ)
8. Coronado (Scottsdale, AZ) – Good coaching often leads to success and this team plays hard, communicates and gives it all on the court. Proud of there effort this weekend, one team to watch.
Others to mention: Catalina Foothills (Tucson), Rincon (Tucson), Higley (San Tan, AZ) and Flowing Wells (Tucson).
JV Teams on the Rise:
Boulder Creek (Anthem, AZ)
1. Boulder Creek – Well coached and the kids know how to play.
2. Cesar Chavez – Athletic and fast young group that shares the ball.
3. Desert Vista – Once again this school is producing some good talent.
Mesa HS (Mesa, AZ)
4. Mesa – So many gifted and talented players, that play together.
5. Coronado – Plenty of young gunners on this team.
6. Ironwood Ridge – One to watch in the next few years.
Desert Vista (Phoenix, AZ)
7. Horizon – Lot’s of guards but a few post players that will soon develop.
8. Dobson – Good program and should make noise this year.
Freshman teams for the Varsity future:
Desert Vista (Phoenix, AZ)
1. Mesa
2. Cesar Chavez
3. Iroonwood Ridge
4. Boulder Creek
5. Desert Vista
6. Horizon
