5A Conference Rankings

5A Team Rankings with 2 weeks to go in the season. . (1) <strong>Queen Creek Casteel</strong> (11-0) - <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136249" first="Daeja" last="Johnson"]</strong> (2021) is in the Player of the Year discussions. She is averaging over 21 points and 7 rebounds. Lightning quick senior guard <strong>Autymn Franks</strong> is playing exceptionally well. The Colts are loaded at the guard position. (2) <strong>Buckeye Verrado</strong> (11-1) - This was supposed to be the breakout season for the Vipers as they have been building something special for the past couple of years. Junior Wing [player_tooltip player_id="214594" first="Kaisha" last="Henry"] is starting to reach her potential. Henry is averaging a double double for the season (12.7 points, 9.8 rebounds). Sophs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138094" first="Bella" last="Barrett"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138092" first="Hannah" last="Beard"]</strong> are top 10 players in the 2023 class. (3) <strong>Peoria Sunrise Mountain</strong> (12-1) - Big win over Millennium last week. Matchup with O’Connor on 2/25.  The Mustangs have a solid trio of Sophs: <strong>Mackenzie Nielsen</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="208283" first="Reena" last="Bhakta"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="208245" first="Mackenzie" last="Dunham"]</strong>. Super frosh [player_tooltip player_id="205653" first="Ysabel" last="Puente"] has had a nice impact on the program. (4) <strong>Cactus Shadows</strong> (9-2) - Showdown with Sunrise Mountain on 2/23.  Rematch of last year’s semi-final matchup. 6-foot senior center <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="218622" first="Ella" last="Schott"]</strong> leads the team in scoring. She has been a surprise performer this year. (5) <strong>Goodyear Millennium</strong> (7-4) - The Tigers have had a tough schedule over the month of February. Losses to Verrado, Valley Vista and Sunrise Mountain has dropped the team to 7-4.  Look for the team to finish the season on a strong note. 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205641" first="Elliison" last="Guiney"]</strong> leads the team in scoring. (6) <strong>Glendale Apollo</strong> (8-3) - Two close losses were to ranked Westwood and Cactus Shadows. Senior post <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="113527" first="Haylee" last="Weathersby"]</strong> is performing at a high level. The Blackhills State commit is averaging  15+ points and 12+ rebounds to go along with 3 steals. She is a tough matchup for most teams due to her size and impressive footwork in the paint. (7) <strong>Tucson Flowing Wells</strong> (7-2) - Close loss to Salpointe Catholic shows that this team belongs. Good match up with Catalina Foothills on 2/22. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="113529" first="Milinda" last="Arguellez"]</strong> is one of the better available 2021 players. Extremely athletic player. She is averaging nearly 16 points a game. (8) <strong>Gilbert Williams Field</strong> (7-2) - Williams Field has had one of the toughest schedules of any team. The matchup on 2/26 vs Apollo will tell us a lot about both teams as they head into post season. Senior transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="113510" first="Tatyanna" last="Clayburne"]</strong> is a player of the year candidate as she has elevated this squad into one of the more dangerous teams in 5A.  Ahe is averaging 17+ points a game and 9+ rebounds while shooting 94 percent from the charity stripe. (9) <strong>GIlbert</strong> (2-0) - Another team with a tough schedule as all of their losses were to ranked teams. Great game coming up vs Millennium on 2/26. 2024 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205645" first="Meisha" last="Caserio"]</strong> is as pure of a lead guard as you will find. (10) <strong>Willow Canyon</strong> (9-1) - Willow Canyon will finally get to play one of the better teams in the state on 2/26 as they host Sunrise Mountain.  We will know more about this team after that game. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;