Arizona 5A – Top Returning Points-Per-Game Leaders: Part 2

With the high school basketball season just around the corner, it is important to take a look back at some of the standout performers of the 2020-2021 – 5A Division in Arizona. With such a talented group of teams and players, it was hard to narrow this list down to only just a couple of parts. There is a lot of returning young talent that will be sure to impress those who know the game. Below are just a few of the top returning points-per-game leaders from the last season. <strong>Elli Guiney - Sophomore - PG/G  - Millennium HS - 14.0 PPG </strong> As a freshman during the 2020-2021 season, Elli has made it to the top of the part two list for most points-per-game from the last year. She was extremely helpful for the Millennium High Tigers, averaging <strong>14 PPG </strong>over 18 games played. Guiney helped lead her team to a very successful 21-4 overall record and only faced one upset during conference play. With all of her stats exceeding the national average after only playing one season of high school ball, there is a LOT of potential for this year and beyond for this talented youngster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137281" first="Alani" last="Encinas"] - Senior - PG - Buena HS - 13.8 PPG </strong> After a great last season playing for the Buena High Colts, Encinas is back again for her senior year to hopefully pick up from where she left off. With a total of 124 points scored, she was able to secure <strong>13.8 PPG</strong> for her team throughout her minutes on the floor. Alani received the MaxPreps Player of the Game award five separate times just in the last year for her standout performances. This four-year varsity veteran is more than prepared to take on the competition that is coming her way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205645" first="Meisha" last="Caserio"] - Sophomore - G - Gilbert HS - 13.4 PPG </strong> Caserio is just a plain scorer and that is what landed her on the list for the top returning points-per-game leaders from last season. She scored an impressive 268 points total for the year while averaging <strong>13.4 PPG </strong>over the course of a 20 game season AS A FRESHMAN!! Just let that sink in for a second. To say that she is one of the players I am most excited to watch grow in this division would be an understatement. With a top 50 MaxPreps ranking in the state already, Meisha should continue to rise in that list, as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="261448" first="Fanta" last="Sackor"] - Junior - SG - Paradise Valley HS - 13.4 PPG </strong> With her junior year on the horizon, [player_tooltip player_id="261448" first="Fanta" last="Sackor"] is returning to play another year for the Paradise Valley Trojans after going 10-7 during the 2020-2021 season. She has continued to impress as a youngster, scoring an average of <strong>13.4 PPG </strong>along with a high-scoring game against Cactus Shadows adding 23 points to her 227 point total to conclude her sophomore year.  Not only can she score the ball, but she also has quick hands that lead to at least 4.1 steals per game. <strong>Mackenzie Nielsen - Junior - SG - Sunrise Mountain HS - 13.3 PPG </strong> Nielsen has earned one of the final spots on the list for top returning points-per-game leaders from last season by averaging <strong>13.3 PPG </strong>as an underclassman. After scoring 30 of those points early in the season against the Gila Ridge Hawks, she got the confidence boost that she needed to know that she is more than capable of competing with the older kids. Mackenzie scored a total of 252 points throughout the season and has 328 points for her high school career. I can only predict growth over the next couple of years from Nielsen. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="261449" first="Leamsi" last="Acuna"] - Junior - G - Flowing Hills HS - 12.9 PPG </strong> As the 21st ranked player in the state, junior, [player_tooltip player_id="261449" first="Leamsi" last="Acuna"], plays guard for her high school team, the Flowing Hills Caballeros. Earning the final spot on our top scorers list, she averaged <strong>12.9 PPG</strong> last season over 19 games played. Acuna lead her team to an undefeated conference play by scoring a total of 245 points all season. Her stats are above the national average in her ability to score, rebound, steal and get assists so don’t get sloppy with her. She will make you pay for it on the other end. <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">HONORABLE MENTION</span></strong></p> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="214588" first="Nicole" last="Evenson"] - Senior - F/G - Gilbert HS - 12.5 PPG / 250 points/season</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="261664" first="Natalie" last="Scherzer"] - Junior - PG - Horizon HS - 12.4 PPG / 198 points/season </strong> <strong>Aliyah Robbins - Senior - C/PF -Casa Grande HS - 11.9 PPG / 167 points/season</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205657" first="Madison" last="Reibel"] - Sophomore - PG - Canyon View HS - 11.8 PPG / 165 points/season </strong>