6A State Tournament: 5 Teams ‘nobody wants to play’

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2 Dobson Mustangs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dobson enters the 6A State Tournament after falling in the Second Round of the Open Tournament to defending Open champion Desert Vista. The 6A State Tournament is very familiar ground for the Mustangs and a place they have found an incredible amount of success making it all the way to the State Championship game just a year ago. Of course this team is built a little different, but they are again very well coached and battle tested playing against six Open Division opponents in the regular season. Dobson is led by two seasoned seniors [player_tooltip player_id='205665' first='Ahdiayh' last='Chee'] and [player_tooltip player_id='788014' first='Isabella' last='Jensen'] who will both be playing next year in college. Ahdiayh is currently averaging 12.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg and is an extremely tough and fundamental player. Aydiayh is one of the states best shooters in the state and must have her shots contested regardless of where she pulls from. [player_tooltip player_id='788014' first='Isabella' last='Jensen'] is her equal while patrolling the lane area for Dobson where she is averaging 9.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, and 1.7 spg. Isabella provides great versatility to the Mustang lineup as she is capable of defending a number of positions with her size, length, and foot speed. Dobson enters the 6A Tournament with the <strong><em>only winning record </em></strong>vs. Open opponents (4-2) this season, as well as, racking up a 7-1 home record where most of their tournament games will be held. Dobson will be a tough out as they have been here before, are very well coached, and are battle tested.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 O'Connor Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Connor enters the 6A State Tournament after falling in the Second Round of the Open Tournament to #1 seed Hamilton where they are poised to make a deep run. O'Connor comes into the tournament with plenty of offensive firepower and are the <strong><em>only team</em></strong> in this years tournament with three scorers averaging over 10 ppg in senior [player_tooltip player_id='205654' first='Thalia' last='Daniels'] (14.6 ppg), sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='603672' first='Audrey' last='Bhesania'] (14.4), and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='723419' first='Ava' last='Schooler'] (10.8). All three girls are tall, long, athletic, and position-less nightmares capable of scoring in a variety of ways. While this trio may be the leading scorers on this years team, this O'Connor team runs very deep and have another handful of girls who know their role and provide quality minutes on both ends of the court. There will not be many off nights on the offensive end for the Eagles with this roster, especially playing most of the tournament games at home where they <strong><em>lead all 6A State Tournament teams in home wins (9)</em></strong>. This team has scheduled the likes of Bishop Gorman and Liberty (NV), as well as, the Nike Tournament of Champions during the regular season for this exact moment. Coach Wilson will have his team mentally and physically ready for each game they play in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Cesar Chavez</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cesar Chavez enters the 6A State Tournament after falling in the First Round of the Open Tournament to a very hot #14 Valley Vista. Cesar Chavez is another team that packs a ton of offensive firepower where they are lead by junior [player_tooltip player_id='577704' first='Sophia' last='Doromal'] (14.1) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='598347' first='Lakeisha' last='Robinson'] (13.7). Cesar Chavez also boosts 3 other players currently averaging over 7 ppg in freshman [player_tooltip player_id='780448' first='Alex' last='Ballard'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='513103' first='Victoria' last='Ballard'], and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='838956' first='Malia' last='Woodberry']. Cesar Chavez will be the the <strong><em>top scoring (66 ppg) and top defending team</em> (32.7)</strong> in this years 6A State Tournament. This team knows how to win going 18-4 and has tasted set-back that has only fueled and spring-boarded the Champions this season. Cesar Chavez plays an aggressive, attacking, and fast paced brand of basketball; if the pace of the game is where Chavez wants it opponents can quickly find themselves in the midst of a 12-2 run and have their seasons put on the line. Chavez will definitely have something to prove to the tournament field and state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5 Mesa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mesa enters the 6A State Tournament after falling in the First Round of the Open Tournament to a very hot #6 Pinnacle. Mesa is led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='602907' first='Amya' last='Bekele'] (11.8 ppg), Anaya Packer (7.5 ppg) and junior [player_tooltip player_id='602889' first='Tilley' last='Cummard'] (6.3 rpg). The Jackrabbits play a style of game that is a bit different than most of the tournament field; a style where toughness, physicality, and execution are consistently demanded. Mesa is the <strong><em>only team</em></strong> in this years tournament with 3 players all averaging over 5 rpg. Mesa is absolutely going to defend, they are going to hit the boards, and they are going to be all over the floor. Teams will need to patient when playing against Mesa. Things will not come as easy as they do against other opponents and they are going to "get under your skin". If Mesa is able to advance their first round game at home against #12 Highland, there is a good chance they will play their second game on the round where they<strong><em> lead all tournament teams </em></strong>in road wins (10) going 10-3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8 Perry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perry enters the 6A State Tournament as a team that did not make this years Open Division Tournament, however is a team every coach still keeps a very close eye on. Perry a team that has had a few rotation changes due to transfers and injuries, but has more than enough high level talent on their roster to win the whole thing. The Pumas are led by D1 sophomore prospect [player_tooltip player_id='589954' first='Sage' last='Henry'], junior [player_tooltip player_id='589986' first='Isabella' last='Ivy'], and sophomore transfer [player_tooltip player_id='608219' first='Bella' last='Burcar']. The Pumas come into this year's State Tournament playing one of the hardest regular season schedules as part of the 6A Premier region, along with participating in the Nike tournament of Champions and Nike Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Dallas. This is a younger team, but a very talented team that has begun to put some of their very talented pieces together. The state knows they may be listed as a #8 seed, but <strong><em>they are 100% capable of beating anybody, anywhere.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->