Phoenix is blowing up. Given the actual fact it’s a transient metropolis with wonderful climate and comparatively low taxes, individuals have been transferring to the Valley of the Solar by the thousands and thousands since 2000. The larger 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 ambiance and no scarcity of D1 expertise, it was fairly the best way to spend a Wednesday night time. In the end, 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 Recreation.
Listed here are just a few of the gamers who caught our eye:
Delton Prescott, 5’11, PG, Sunnyslope (Ariz.), 2027
A fully 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 choose 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 believe faculties are nonetheless sleeping on him, regardless of fielding six D1 provides.
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 influence he had on the sport was felt the second he checked in. Clearly favoring his proper hand, he frivolously dunked the ball, however extra so offered presence as a degree ahead and risk on the ground. Peat completed with 16 factors as a reserve and can look to convey dwelling his ultimate state title on Saturday. If that occurs, he might go down as essentially 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 choose Da’Ron Holmes, Cameron Holmes continues to carve out his personal legacy and it confirmed together with his 24- level displaying in a heartbreaking loss to Sunnyslope. Regardless of being face-guarded all the recreation, Holmes had no drawback getting downhill and ending with both hand by means of contact when he bought to the paint. The 5 star wing was additionally a vocal chief for his squad all through the sport, exhibiting lots of the traits which have made him a precedence for a number of the nation’s elite packages.
Michael Simcoe, 6’8, PF, Sandra Day O’Connor (Ariz.), 2025
Whereas it was actually a troublesome ultimate recreation for Simcoe, it got here towards the three-time defending AIA champs and it actually wasn’t as a consequence of Simcoe’s play personally. The lefty face-up energy ahead confirmed vary effectively 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 submit. Heading to UC-Santa Barbara subsequent yr, the excessive educational ahead could have the chance to contribute in quite a lot of methods beneath very long time coach Joe Pasternack, who has developed loads of professionals 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 huge “W” over O’Connor. The lefty is tremendous bouncy, completed by means of 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 critical prospect. Having grown to 6-foot-6, the junior is aware of make the most of his measurement 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 yr, Portela has already gained greater than a half dozen D1 provides with a lot extra to return.
