Southern Arizona 2026 Breakout Performers

Esa Barajas is one of the most underrated players in Southern Arizona. She is a tenacious defender that can defend multiple positions. She is a 3 level scorer, that can play the point, shooting guard, or forward. She is a high IQ player that makes the right play at the right time consistently. She plays huge in big moments and she is always in control even when under pressure. She will play on the next level.    The 2026 Class in Southern Arizona picked up some steam last season as there were several players that proved they were built for Varsity competition and set a groundwork for huge Senior Seasons in 2026. Among them is [player_tooltip player_id='1140910' first='Monica' last='Verrett'] from Amphi High School in Tucson. She is a shut down defender that is one of the fastest players in Southern Arizona. She excels in Track and Field in the Spring, but will probably garner a lot of college attention this summer for Basketball on the next level.    [player_tooltip player_id='1140910' first='Monica' last='Verrett'] is one of the fastest players with or without the ball in Southern Arizona. She is a lock-down defender that can guard the point or the shooting guard, and she averaged almost 6 steals a game which most of the time turned into points. She is a solid shooter and passer, and makes good decisions with the basketball. She is a very coachable athlete that has high character and excels in academics as well. She is a multi-sport athlete that in my opinion will play basketball on the next level most likely at point guard.     [player_tooltip player_id='1141145' first='Kayla' last='Taukalau'] is the prototype Power Forward that is just now coming into her own. She averaged a double/double last season and was First Team All-Region. She is very good in the low post and with mid range jump shots. Kayla is an outstanding rebounder that has a knack for getting into the right position at the right time and attacks the glass on both ends of the floor. The expectations will be high for Kayla and Amphi next season, and this off-season will be huge for her recruiting. She will definitely play on next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='892652' first='Destiney' last='Brown'] is a terrific open court player that is a nightmare to cover in the open floor. She is a multi level scorer and defender. She is another highly underrated player in Southern Arizona that is just now starting to get recognized for her incredible talent. She earned 6A South Region Offensive Player of the Year last season, averaging almost 17 points a game. She will go down as one of the best players to come out of Tucson High, which says a lot. She will also play on the next level.       [player_tooltip player_id='1140905' first='Ariana' last='Gamillo'] had a very solid year last season for Walden Grove earning 2cnd Team All Region in the very tough 4A Kino Region. This was her first full year after recovering from a torn ACL, and she is now starting to get to full strength and reach the potential that everyone predicted when she was a freshman. She is a Forward that can play guard as well and can defend multiple positions. She is a very good shooter that excels in the mid range, and she has a solid post game offense too. She has very good size and length and if she continues to improve her strength and agility, she will be a highly recruited player.