Southern AZ Week 1 Preview Part One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below I will highlight week one matchups and impactful players to watch </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 1 Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (3A) travels to take on the Miami Vandals (2A). Both teams are coming off quarterfinal losses in their state tournaments last season. The Lions only graduated one senior from lasts years team and could be considered one of the favorites to make a run at the state title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197298"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af612cd26138"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Njoroge was crucial in the Lions region championship and state quarterfinal finish last year. She averaged 15.6 points per game while shooting 40 percent from the field. She added 4.8 steals on the defensive side. The Lions will depend on her hustle and relentless defensive pressure to get by a tough Miami team who also saw their season end in the state quarterfinals last season. Njoroge is a college level guard who I expect to get attention really soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197296"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af612cd26179"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another factor to watch in their matchup against the Miami Vandals will be the force of [player_tooltip player_id='1197296' first='Noelle' last='Sunukjian']. She brings great physicality and a one hundred percent every possession. Sunukjian sees the floor at a high level and makes the tough passes. She led the Lions in assists last year with 4.8 apg and added 5.2 rebounds per game and 3.4 steals on the defensive end. Sunukjian is a college level player who is still heavily flying under the radar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Game 2 Sahuarita hosts the Pueblo Warriors. The Pueblo Warriors have been a Powerhouse will look a little different this year. Of the 1860 total points they scored last season those responsible for 1260 of those points either graduated or will be out due to injury just the same they'll have to replace 499 of last years 735 made field goals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196508"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af612cd2619f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Warriors are going to have to rely heavily on the production of senior standout Brooklyn Espinoza. She accounted for 15 points and 15 rebounds per game last season for the Warriors. As impressive as those numbers are they could improve this season with Espinoza expected to get some more shots. One of the top game impactors in the state regardless of class or position. Should be receiving a lot more college attention in my opinion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1810128"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af612cd261bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Castaneda has had an impressive off season and looks like she is ready to help takeover as the lead guard for the Pueblo Warriors. She has the confidence and playmaking ability to come in and impact the game right away. There will be a lot of pressure for Castaneda to come in and perform immediately but I believe she will embrace the challenge and shine in her freshman season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1325532"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af622a7a2ffb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Elam has had a tremendous off season and is attracting college coaches. Her high level post game and ability to shoot at a high percentage from beyond the arc can't be ignored. She will be a big factor for the Mustangs this season starting with the first game of the season where she will be matched up against on of the top players in the state in Pueblos Brooklyn Espinoza. A must see matched between to high level players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197451"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7430b3f1ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Silvester is the reigning 4A Gila Region Player of the year, coming off a breakout season in her junior year. She is a high energy guard who hustles and will play through physical contact. She shot 40% from the field last season while averaging 15.4 points per game. Her toughness shows as she battles in the paint where she brought in 6.9 rebounds a game. This matchup against Pueblo is a great opportunity for Silvester to set the tone for the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2001924"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7430b3f253"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Levelle was impressive to watch this offseason. Very mature, poised and impactful. An incredibly tough two-way player who thrives in clutch situations. Picks up the length of the court and applies relentless pressure. Incredible vision and great play making ability. This game against Pueblo gives us the opportunity to see two of the expected top five guards in the Southern AZ 2030 class go head-to-head in the first game of their high school careers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our next game will feature the Rincon Rangers hosting the Desert View Jaguars. This will be the final season we will get a chance to see one of the better duos in Southern AZ playing together as [player_tooltip player_id='1196451' first='Daphne' last='Safo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1197321' first='Sabrina' last='Wexler'] lead the Rangers in their senior seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197321"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7430b3f2aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wexler, a multi-sport athlete is one of the more complete overall basketball players in the state. She can score the ball from well beyond the perimeter. A skilled handle she uses to drive and will finish with a floater or off the glass. Great strength and a lengthy wingspan that helps her rack up the boards. Wexler averaged 16 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in her junior year. A high-level player who I expect to have a big game in this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1196451"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7430b3f301"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Safo had a tremendous junior season where she was just shy of averaging a double double. She ultimately finished with 16.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. She has great skill and plays with good physicality. A gifted rebounder and knows how to score quickly off the offensive board. Expect Safo to have a big impact on this outcome and could very well start the year off with a double double. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1325390"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6af7430b3f354"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although the Jaguars have some solid pieces around Nunez it will be her production that will have a big impact on Desert Views season. Nunez can shoot the ball from the perimeter very well whether contested or not. She has a skilled handle and plays with great confidence. Full effort every possession. Isn't afraid to get physical and is the clear leader on the floor. Expect a solid senior season for Nunez.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->