School Rankings for Class of 2023 (Impact on Varsity)

Here are the schools with the top freshmen (2023) classes in Arizona for the 2019-2020 season. Keep in mind that this list is based on freshman impact on varsity. Certain schools such as Valley Vista, Millennium, Hamilton, Perry, Seton Catholic and other traditional basketball powerhouse schools typically do not have more than one freshman playing meaningful minutes on varsity so the 2023 class impact will be much more noticeable in following years. (1) Xavier Prep (Phoenix) Players: [player_tooltip player_id="65611" first="Mia" last="Davis"] (G/F, 6’1’’), [player_tooltip player_id="115507" first="Sienna" last="Cherwinski"] (PG, 5’6’’), Hannah Young (G/G, 6’) [caption id="attachment_168989" align="alignright" width="225"] This is simply a terrific trio. Future is bright for Xavier[/caption] Davis is a top 15 player in the nation, and she can simply do it all. She can guard four positions and Davis is terrific on the offensive end. Cherwinski is considered one of the top point guards in the class. She has a nice stoke especially on the corner 3 and a crafty ball handler. Young is an athletic wing player who can guard multiple position and she is just starting to realize her potential. Xavier will be one of the better teams in 2020-2021. (2) Verrado (Buckeye) Players: [player_tooltip player_id="138092" first="Hannah" last="Beard"] (PG, 5’5”). Bella Barrett (F/C, 6”), Morgan McDaniels (G/F, 5’8”) Beard is a gritty PG who has demonstrated that she can run an offense as well as be the vocal leader of the team. Beard is an exceptional on the ball defender. Barrett is an experienced and polished power forward. She is one of the more physical players in the class. Both players were starters and played significant minutes leading Verrado to a 20-9 record and a second round exit in the state playoffs. (3) Sandra Day O’Connor (Phoenix) Players: Mak Snyder (PG, 5’5’’), Amaya Washington (G, 5’9”), Katy Frost (F, 5’11”) [caption id="attachment_169021" align="alignright" width="222"] Mak Snyder should be an elite performer before she graduates from SDO.[/caption] This group has as much potential as any team outside of Xavier as they have good size and versatility. Snyder may be the most underrated player in the class and she seems to be improving with every showing. SDO was an extremely deep team and Snyder was always in the rotation getting minutes during crunch time. She is a solid player that can help her team in many ways and is a coaches dream player. Washington improved dramatically throughout the season and I expect the her to be one of the better wings of the class by her junior year. Frost is a physical presence that will outwork anyone inside the paint. She runs the floor well and is a tenacious defender. One to keep monitoring. (4) Sunrise Mountain (Peoria) Players: Mackenzie Dunham (F, 6’0”), Reena Bhakta (SF, 6’0”), Mackenzie Nielsen (G) Both Dunham and Bhakta are very solid prospects as they both have a good combination of size, athleticism and effort. They are able to rotate 3 positions which will give Sunrise Mountain a lot of versatility going forward. Both are willing defenders who display a team first mentality. I see nothing but upside here. Nielsen seems to be a promising guard that will be able to play the 1 or the 2. Sunrise Mountain was a 26-5 and made it to the 5A Championship with 3 freshmen playing minutes when it counted most. Rounding out the top 12 (Alphabetical order) Cactus Shadows (Cave Creek) Players: [player_tooltip player_id="65618" first="Sierra" last="Labuwi"] (G, 5’7”), Kyah Wynn (F, 5’8’’), Kaitlyn Elsholz (G, 5’8”) Versatile group of players. Labuwi was the 2nd leading scorer on a team the made it to the Final Four in 5A. She is a solid combo guard, plays with a ton of confidence and she loves to compete. She is a skilled performer. Elsholz played meaningful minutes on varsity while averaging 6 points and 5 rebounds per contest. She has good size for the guard position and Elsholz demonstrated a good understanding of the game. Wynn played a couple games up on varsity. She will end up a very solid wing for Cactus Shadows as her confidence and skill continues to develop. Catalina Foothills (Tucson) Players: Reilly Clark (G, 5’10”), Katie Burns (PG, 5’6”) [caption id="attachment_168995" align="alignright" width="225"] Burns and Clark is as versatile guard tandem as you will find in the 2023 class.[/caption] Clark has an extremely high ceiling and she will be an elite prospect before she graduates. She has great length for a guard, she moves very well, and her jumper is very efficient. Burns will be one of the better PGs of the class as she is an extension of the coach on the floor and Burns is a high IQ player. Deer Valley (Glendale) Players: Rickelle Andrade (G, 5’5’’), Michaela Lee (5’11”), [player_tooltip player_id="65615" first="Mirella" last="Funari"] (PG, 5’6’’) They Skyhawks have 3 positions covered with this class. Funari handles pressure as well as any guard in the state as she is a steady as they come. She is a top competitor who can alternate between the 1 or 2 position with ease. Andrade is a top 5 shooter in the class and her ball skills have improved tremendously. Lee is a banger in the paint and could be the most physical player in the class. She moves well for her size and she is a worker. Flagstaff High (Flagstaff) Players: Jasmynn Tsosie (G, 5’4), Miyah Verse (W, 6’1”), Sage Begay (G, 5’7) Verse is a star in the making. She is probably one the top athletic players in the class and she is just starting to understand how to impact the game. Tsosie is a traditional lead guard that handles the ball well and demonstrated good court awareness. Begay finishes well at the basket and she has shown to be a very effective defender. Millennium (Goodyear) Players: [player_tooltip player_id="65613" first="Mia" last="Amundsen"] (PG, 5’7”), Danielle Villanueva (G, 5’5’’) [caption id="attachment_169038" align="alignright" width="235"] Amundsen has all the talent, skills and desire to be a special prospect[/caption] Amundsen is considered one of the top 2023 players in the state and she did see meaningful minutes on the 5A State Championship team. Amundsen will see her role increase dramatically in the 2020-2021 season and she will be ready. She is a smooth combo guard and a she can score on all 3 levels. Amundsen was the only freshman to make the varsity team which is the major reason why this class was ranked behind some of the other classes. Look for Danielle Villanueva to be a big contributor to varsity next year as well. Perry (Chandler) Players: Khamil Pierre (F, 6’1”), Jayla Cai (PG, 5’4”) [caption id="attachment_169039" align="alignright" width="300"] Excited to see Pierre and Cai become a big part of the Pumas team next season[/caption] Both Pierre and Cai played sparingly for Perry due to the talent of the Pumas especially the loaded 2021 class. They are on this list due to playing varsity minutes and both have high ceilings. Pierre is an athletic and versatile wing that will only get better playing with the older players on the team. Cai is going to be a defensive terror and may lead the state in steals in a couple of years. Pueblo (Tucson) Players: Victoria Cazares (G, 5’5”) Myla Truitt (G, 5’2”). Sandra Perez (F, 5’6”) [caption id="attachment_169007" align="alignright" width="196"] Truitt and Cazares really improved as a tandem by the end of the season. Good chemistry!![/caption] Cazares had an outstanding freshman campaign leading the state in scoring for all freshmen. She can score in a variety of ways and isn’t afraid to play against anyone. Cazares could end up as the all time scoring leader for Pueblo High. Backcourt mate Truitt is a blur on the court and the perfect running mate to Cazares. They have really good chemistry and is one of the top guard combos in the class.. The only reason that Pueblo is not ranked higher is that they don’t have the size as others in the 2023 class possess. Valley Vista (Surprise) Players: [player_tooltip player_id="65617" first="Olivia" last="Arvallo"] (PG, 5’3”), [player_tooltip player_id="138097" first="Micaela" last="Chavers"] (G/W, 5’8’’) [caption id="attachment_169103" align="alignright" width="300"] Chavers and Arvallo have been teammates for quite some time.[/caption] Arvallo played a dominant role on a team that won the 6A State title. She is a big game player who is not afraid to take the big shot in highly contested games. Her poise is simply amazing. Chavers did not get many minutes on varsity but she is talented, and she can play. Expect big things out of this player. Not sure of the other freshmen on the squad but I am sure Coach M will have them ready real soon. Other top freshmen performers <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=103c9d90-f12d-4b12-9bfe-cfefd784d771&ssid=d09f9e34-fdf4-450a-ad1c-384d923a050c">Kiley Miller</a><abbr class="class-year" title="Freshman"> <a class="team" href="https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/centennial-coyotes-(peoria,az)/girls-basketball/stats.htm">Centennial (Peoria)</a> - Led all freshmen in rebounding. Biggest prospect in the sate. </abbr> <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=04d81fcf-4779-4dd4-9011-001d33dba507&ssid=d09f9e34-fdf4-450a-ad1c-384d923a050c">Ashiian Hunter</a><abbr class="class-year" title="Freshman"> Mesa - 4th in scoring for all freshmen. Major impact on Varsity. </abbr> <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/local/player/stats.aspx?athleteid=db5ffc4d-e1f4-4251-b19b-88b4bb30830b&ssid=d09f9e34-fdf4-450a-ad1c-384d923a050c">Hannah Alvarez</a><abbr class="class-year" title="Freshman"> - Horizon - A very dynamic PG</abbr> [player_tooltip player_id="65614" first="Aaliyah" last="Garcia"] - Dobson - Part of a 3 guard Dobson attack that was lethal. Navine Mallon - Flowing Wells - Missed half the season but finished very strong. Gabby Lopez - Bisbee - Lopez did it all for Bisbee, Have to see her perform more in the upcoming year. [player_tooltip player_id="115508" first="Abby" last="Ostlie"] - Chaparral - Certified baller and ultra athletic. Watch out for this prospect. Storm Nguyen - Hamilton - Smooth performer who had to sit behind a ton of talent at Hamilton. Watch her have a breakout season in 2021. [player_tooltip player_id="65622" first="Amelie" last="Cartagena"] - Seton Catholic - Aggressive defender. Can play 3 positions and very versatile performer. Sabrina Anderson - Mountain Pointe - Didn’t see much time on varsity but a talented player for sure. Remember the name as she is going to be a good one. [player_tooltip player_id="138100" first="Amelie" last="Buffill"] - Sabino - Played solid minutes on a championship team. Will have a breakout soph season.