Under the Radar: Arizona 5A San Tan 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 San Tan Region. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205645" first="Meisha" last="Caserio"] - Sophomore - 5’4" - Gilbert High School </strong> As just a freshman last season for the Gilbert Lady Tigers, Meisha took the Arizona AAAAA by storm with her 13.4 points per game along with 3.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. Not only was she named a captain during her first year on the team, but Caserio also received the MaxPreps Player of the Game award five times throughout the season for her outstanding performances against some tough competition. Even at this young age, she scored 268 points which were the second-most points scored out of any player in the region. Very impressive. I believe that she will continue to grow throughout her time at Gilbert due to the excellence around her. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="214588" first="Nicole" last="Evenson"] - Senior - 5’11" - Gilbert High School </strong> Nicole is another real deal athlete for the Lady Tigers that can get the job done at all three levels. Last season’s captain will be returning to the court one last time for Gilbert High School to put on a show for her senior year. After a very impressive junior year where Evenson averaged 12.5 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, 3.9 steals per game, and 3.0 assists per game, she was offered and accepted to play ball at the next level for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. #12 has been a massive impact on her team since she was a freshman and there is not a doubt in my mind that she will be one of the top players to watch this season in the Class AAAAA. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="205677" first="Morgan" last="Evenson"] - Sophomore - 5’8" - Gilbert High School </strong> Another top-tier freshman in the San Tan region that also happens to play for the Gilbert Lady Tigers is five-foot-eight, [player_tooltip player_id="205677" first="Morgan" last="Evenson"]. She is playing alongside her older sister, Nicole who is another all-star for the Lady Tigers and I can imagine she is also a fantastic built-in leader/mentor. Morgan averaged 9.7 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game leading to her 175 points and 82 rebounds overall. She was also awarded the MaxPreps Player of the Game four times during the 2020-2021 basketball season for performances against Casteel, Highland, Campo Verde, and a double-double against Apollo (12 points, 11 rebounds). There is a lot more to see from this young firecracker. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="259208" first="Alana" last="West"] - Senior - 5’4" - Williams Field High School </strong> After playing all of her high school career for the Williams Field Lady Black Hawks, West, the five-foot-four point guard will be returning for her farewell season. Throughout her junior year, Alana averaged 9.3 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, and 2.8 steals and assists per game. She gave her all in every minute that her feet were on the court and was a big-time hustler on both ends of the floor. In the 2020-2021 season, #24 finished off two games with a double-double. One of them earlier in the season against Arcadia (14 points, 12 steals) and closer to the end was the other against Casteel (12 points, 10 rebounds). <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="259205" first="Trinity" last="Flores"] - Senior - 5’3" - Williams Field Black Hawks </strong> After a high-scoring, junior season for the Williams Field Lady Black Hawks, five-foot-three [player_tooltip player_id="259205" first="Trinity" last="Flores"] helped lead her team to a successful overall record of 11-6 and 5-3 in conference play. #14 averaged 15.0 points per game, 2.9 steals per game, and 2.3 assists per game throughout the 2020-2021 high school basketball season. Flores can stroke from just about anywhere on the floor and isn’t afraid to pull up. She shot the ball inside the arc 54% on the season finishing off with 150 points in just 10 games played. I am looking forward to seeing a healthy Trinity back one more time for her senior year.