Under the Radar: Arizona 4A West Valley Division
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With the 2021-2022 high school basketball scene just around the corner, look no further for a preview of some of the top players that may have flown Under the Radar in the state of Arizona Class AAAA West Valley Region.…
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Continue ReadingWith the 2021-2022 high school basketball scene just around the corner, look no further for a preview of some of the top players that may have flown Under the Radar in the state of Arizona Class AAAA West Valley Region.
Samantha Thomas – Senior – 5’3″ – Peoria High School
Last season, Thomas averaged 12.1 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game for the Peoria Lady Panthers. This five-foot-three junior plays tough and has a lot of grit even in a tough situation. Although the season may not have gone exactly how they may have wanted, Samantha still had great performances in a loss. She was honored with the MaxPreps Player of the Game three times in the games against Goldwater (17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists), Desert Edge (18 points, 1 rebound) and, Buckeye (21 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal).
Rickelle Andrade – Junior – Deer Valley High School
Andrade was another underclassman standout that was on the court for the Lady Skyhawks last season. She helped lead Deer Valley to an overall winning record of 15-4 while averaging 10.8 points per game and 1.1 rebounds per game. In an early-season win against Tempe, Rickelle went 50% from the three-point line knocking down six big-time shots for her team. She is still able to drive hard to the basket and won’t rely strictly on the deep shot…but don’t let her get comfortable!
Isabella Majarucon Isabella Majarucon 5'5" | PG Dream City | 2024 State AZ – Sophomore – 5’5″ – Deer Valley High School
As just a freshman during the 2020-2021 high school basketball season, Izzy brought the heat for the Deer Valley Lady Skyhawks averaging 9.1 points per game, 3.5 rebounds per game, and 3.8 steals per game. She has a calm persona when on the floor and the game seems to just come to hear with ease. Majarucon has a high basketball IQ and will make the smartest decision first. She can score at all three levels even as a smaller-bodied guard and does not seem to be afraid of a challenge. The future is bright!
Aalexus Bourne – Senior – 6’1″ – Goldwater High School
Six-foot-one senior, Aalexus Bourne is back one last time to finish off her high school career with the Lady Bulldogs. She is a long post player that averaged 7.4 points per game and 7.8 rebounds per game for Goldwater High. Even though it may have been a tough season overall, it was clear to see the talent in Bourne. She was awarded the MaxPreps Player of the Game three times last year for her standout performances against Cortez (14 points, 18 rebounds, 2 steals), Desert Edge (4 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks), and a tough Dysart team (16 points, 12 rebounds, 1 block). There is no doubt she will have a powerful year.
Ava Pautz Ava Pautz 5'11" | SF Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State AZ – Sophomore – 5’8″ – Notre Dame Prep
Five-foot-eight Ava Pautz Ava Pautz 5'11" | SF Notre Dame Prep | 2024 State AZ is one of the top freshmen to keep an eye on over the next few years in this division. As a ninth-grader, she averaged 7.4 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game for the 35th ranked team in the state. Pautz was also awarded the MaxPreps Player of the Game for her elite performance in a win against Peoria High School (8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block) and had a double-double in the very first high school game of her career (14 points, 10 rebounds). It is so beneficial to her to have such involvement in this team at such a young age.