Phoenix is blowing up. Given the actual fact it’s a transient metropolis with wonderful climate and comparatively low taxes, folks have been transferring to the Valley of the Solar by the hundreds of thousands since 2000. The higher Phoenix space inhabitants has swelled over the previous 30 years, and now we’re beginning to see the basketball expertise in Phoenix following proper alongside.
Heading to Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.), I checked out the Arizona Interscholastic Actions (AIA) Arizona Open Division Semifinals on Wednesday night time. Sunnyslope (Phoenix) performed Millennium (Goodyear, Ariz.) within the opener, whereas three-time defending state champion and FAB 50 No. 23 Perry (Chandler, Ariz.) took on Sandra Day O’Connor (Phoenix). With a stay environment and no scarcity of D1 expertise, it was fairly the best way to spend a Wednesday night time. Finally, it was Sunnyslope (58-53) and Perry (76-57) that walked away victorious, organising a highly-anticipated matchup in Saturday’s AIA Open Division Championship Sport.
Listed below are a couple of of the gamers who caught our eye:
Delton Prescott, 5’11, PG, Sunnyslope (Ariz.), 2027
A completely electrical lead guard, Prescott stole the present in Sunnyslope’s victory over Millennium to advance to the AIA Open Division Championship. The shifty lead guard confirmed nice tempo in decide and roll play, pulled up from mid-range on the drop of a dime, and performed with a motor on each ends. Prescott is a little bit of a throwback lead guard, however given the best way that he can completely management a recreation, I feel faculties are nonetheless sleeping on him, regardless of fielding six D1 presents.
Koa Peat, 6’8, SF/PF, Perry (Ariz.), 2025
The McDonald’s All-American broke his hand final week in observe and was miraculously cleared by a physician to play. Peat got here off of the bench and performed 18 minutes, however the impression he had on the sport was felt the second he checked in. Clearly favoring his proper hand, he flippantly dunked the ball, however extra so offered presence as some extent ahead and risk on the ground. Peat completed with 16 factors as a reserve and can look to carry residence his remaining state title on Saturday. If that occurs, he may go down as probably the most achieved participant in AIA historical past.
Cameron Holmes, 6’5, SG/SF, Millenium (Ariz.), 2026
The youthful brother of former Denver Nuggets first spherical decide Da’Ron Holmes, Cameron Holmes continues to carve out his personal legacy and it confirmed together with his 24- level exhibiting in a heartbreaking loss to Sunnyslope. Regardless of being face-guarded your complete recreation, Holmes had no downside getting downhill and ending with both hand via contact when he obtained to the paint. The 5 star wing was additionally a vocal chief for his squad all through the sport, exhibiting most of the traits which have made him a precedence for a few of the nation’s elite packages.
Michael Simcoe, 6’8, PF, Sandra Day O’Connor (Ariz.), 2025
Whereas it was definitely a tricky remaining recreation for Simcoe, it got here towards the three-time defending AIA champs and it definitely wasn’t attributable to Simcoe’s play personally. The lefty face-up energy ahead confirmed vary nicely past the 3-point line, displayed loads of explosion ending above the rim on drop-offs or lobs, and confirmed potential as a playmaker from the publish. Heading to UC-Santa Barbara subsequent 12 months, the excessive tutorial ahead may have the chance to contribute in quite a lot of methods below very long time coach Joe Pasternack, who has developed loads of execs all through his time in Isla Vista.
D’Andre Harrison, 6’5, SF, Perry (Ariz.), 2025
The definition of an influence wing, D’Andre Harrison paced Perry of their massive “W” over O’Connor. The lefty is tremendous bouncy, completed via contact on the rim, and made quite a lot of nice cuts in his 24-point efficiency. Signed with UMKC, Harrison is the kind of versatile ahead who will slot in completely within the Summit League.
Rider Portela, 6’6, SG/SF, Sunnyslope (Ariz.), 2026
The son of Sunnyslope head coach Ray Portela, Rider Portela has undoubtedly come into his personal as a severe prospect. Having grown to 6-foot-6, the junior is aware of learn how to make the most of his dimension from the perimeter, has an impressive IQ, and confirmed his defensive potential with quite a lot of key stops all through the sport (together with a final second steal on Cameron Holmes). Having ran with the Compton Magic on the 3SSB Circuit final 12 months, Portela has already gained greater than a half dozen D1 presents with a lot extra to come back.
