Under the Radar: Arizona 5A Northwest 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 hard and has earned a spot on this list to be recognized. Here is a handful from the Class AAAAA Northwest Region. <strong>Kelci Connolly - Senior - Sunrise Mountain High School </strong> After playing on varsity since her freshman year for the Sunrise Mountain Mustangs, Kelci Connolly will be returning one last time to play for her high school. As a junior, she averaged 8.5 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game to help lead her team to an overall winning record of 16-5 and a conference record of 10-1. This smart combo guard could get the job done from just about anywhere on the court and did not shy away when driving down low. In a tough game early in the season against Apollo, Connolly had an impressive 12 points and 8 rebounds (3 offensive, 5 defensive) against a tough team. <strong>Ysabela Puente - Sophomore - Sunrise Mountain High School </strong> Last season as a freshman for the Sunrise Mountain Mustangs, Ysabela Puente caught my attention and even turned a few heads in the Northwest region 7.2 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game. In her first game to ever play at the high school level, Puente came out of the gates HOT and dropped 17 points, shooting 89% from the field. It did not take long for her to feel comfortable and get into the groove of the game at this level. I am excited to see how she is able to continue to grow with this program over the next three years. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="208245" first="Mackenzie" last="Dunham"] - Junior - Sunrise Mountain High School </strong> #33 [player_tooltip player_id="208245" first="Mackenzie" last="Dunham"] is another Sunrise Mountain Lady Mustang that may have flown under the radar throughout the 2020-2021 basketball season but still needs to be recognized. As an underclassman, Dunham averaged 5.9 points per game, 9.3 rebounds per game and, 2.5 steals per game for her team. After going 16-5 for the year, the Lady Mustangs can probably taste another successful season so it is important to have the upcoming veterans on the squad ready to lead the charge. <strong>Felicity DeCorse - Senior - 5’9" - Gila Ridge High School </strong> Five-foot-nine upcoming senior for the Gila Ridge Lady Hawks, Felicity DeCorse is returning for one last round of high school basketball. Last season she averaged 5.8 points per game along with an important 4.3 rebounds per game leading to an overall record of 9-9. In a close game against Centennial High School, DeCorse finished the game with an impressive 11 points and 7 rebounds (4 offensive, 3 defensive) showing that she will battle hard for the ball on both ends of the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137283" first="Sierra" last="Mitchell"] - Senior - 6’1" - Apollo Hawks </strong> Mitchell is a six-foot-one post player for the Apollo Lady Hawks that knows how to execute her job. Throughout the 2020-2021 high school basketball season as a junior, Sierra averaged 5.4 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game. She is the big man for her team and likes to clean up/do the dirty work on the block. With 87 points and 119 rebounds total for the year, Mitchell was able to pick up a double-double (10 points, 12 rebounds) in a very close 66-68 loss to Westwood High School. After going 12-6 overall last season and 10-2 in league play, there is a good chance for the Lady Hawks to come out again with another outstanding year.