Under the Radar: Arizona 5A Desert West Region

With the tip-off of the 2021-2022 high school basketball season happening closer and closer each week, it is important to check out some of the top players in each region of the state that may be flying a little Under the Radar. Each of the athletes mentioned plays tough and has earned a spot on this list to be recognized. Here is a handful from the Class AAAAA Desert West Region. <strong>Elli Guiney - Sophomore - 5’10" - Millennium High School </strong> During her first season playing at the high school level, #1 for the Millennium Lady Tigers turned the heads of not only the 5A but of the state. Five-foot-ten freshman, Elli Guiney was a superstar last year averaging 13.6 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game over the course of a 19 game season. This long, highly skilled combo guard can get the job done at all three levels and does not let her age affect the way that she plays. She scored double digits in every game of the year except four and knocked down at least one three-ball in each game but five. This firecracker has a very bright future ahead of her and I am very eager to see how she has grown over the off-season. The best is yet to come! <strong style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="205657" first="Madison" last="Reibel"] - Sophomore - 5’5" - Canyon View High School </strong> Reibel is another player that had an outstanding freshman year in the 5A Desert West Region. Madison is a five-foot-five combo guard that averaged 11.8 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game throughout her first season competing at the high school level. She loves to pop out to the three-point line and knock them down all night long so the defense better not let her get started. The majority of her points for the season came from behind-the-arc where she secured 90 of her 165. The future is also bright for this youngster as well. Very impressed so far. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="65613" first="Mia" last="Amundsen"] - Junior - 5’3" - Millennium High School </strong> Although Mia was not a freshman last season as the first two players in our Under the Radar article, she was still an underclassman all-star for the Millennium Lady Tigers and left a good impression. Amundsen is a five-foot-five confident guard that averaged 9.0 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game. She is another hot hand when behind the three-point line hitting 42 threes over the course of the 2020-2021 basketball season. A pure-bred, natural scorer in every way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="263398" first="Tami" last="Balogun"] - Sophomore - Agua Fria High School </strong> The 5A Desert West region seems to be full of talented underclassmen and last year’s freshman power forward, [player_tooltip player_id="263398" first="Tami" last="Balogun"], for the Agua Fria Lady Owls seemed to be one of them. Tami averaged 8.4 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game in just her first season playing basketball at this high of a level. Even though the team as a whole may not have executed the way that they hoped, Balogun was a solid, strong force for the Lady Owls each and every game. She finished the year with a total of 135 points and 141 rebounds against some pretty talented teams. There is a lot more to come from this one over the next few years, mark my words. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="214590" first="Reagan" last="Grimsley"] - Senior - 5’10" - Millennium High School  </strong> To end off the list, let’s recognize a hard-working upcoming senior for her work over the last few years at Millennium High. Reagan has played on varsity since her sophomore year and continued to improve after each season. During her junior year, the five-foot-ten forward averaged 6.7 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game. Although she may not have been the highest scorer in the league, she always brought her A-game when she stepped out onto the floor for the Lady Tigers.