The season is in full swing and teams have been competeing all over Arizona trying their best to remain undefeated. There have been some great matchups in some conferences up to this point in the season that have impacted our rankings since the pre-season. Before the rankings lets talk about some big time matchups that have taken place already!
Gilbert Christian V Fountain Hills
This is always a great matchup in the 3A. Over the last decade Gilbert christian leads this series 6-4, gaining their sixth win in this prime time matchup in the Ben Franklin Thanksgiving classic tournament. Gilbert christian showed in this matchup why they are, as of right now, the best team to challenge Valley christian for the 3A title. Their physicality and defensive intensity were too much for the Falcons to overcome. Not to mention the shooting of Keon Talgo (5-7 from 3 at 71%). The Falcons will continue to improve throughout the season, and the supporting cast will come along nicely with stand out guard, Keaton Ort. Coach Jason out of Gilbert Christian has his kids competing at an extremley high level right now, and I would expect them to only improve!
Winslow V Chinle
Winslow is off to one of the hottest starts in the 3A. They jumped on the map with this MASSIVE road win against the Chinle Wildcats. Winslow demonstrated alot of toughness forcing an almost 20 point swing at the end of the game to hold on and win. This is a team that can score in many different ways, with many different players. Winslow wins on the road 69-52. Winslow is led by Anthony torres (17 ppg 4 spg) and Isaac David (23 ppg 13 rbg 2 apg 6 spg). It seems like Winslow is an early favorite to win the East in the 3A.
Phoenix Christian v Arizona Lutheran Academy
This was a matchup we have talked about all summer long. Although it was so early in the season this game did not disapoint! Arizona Lutheran is headlined by their standout guards; Steph Ironshell and Luis Guerrero. But there is much more to this team than just that. Coach Meyer has a TEAM that is disciplined on both offense and defense. They are skilled and up to the task to play ANYBODY! They had their hands full with a very similar Phoenix Christian squad. Arizona Lutheran was able to force the cougars into a lot of tough shots and held on to win at home 69-63. Phoenix Christian will need to work out who is running the point for them but this is a team that can make a deep playoff run with the right matchups.
Desert Christian
If you would have told me that we would have Desert Christian above NVCA in our week 4 rankings a few weeks ago I would have laughed at you. Desert Christian has been clicking on all cylinders so far this season. They have wins over Hayden, Parker, Mohave Accelerated, Horizon Honors, and Scottsdale Prep. Their week was capped off with a 3 OT failed attempt to beat PCDS in the championship of the PCDS tournament. They are led by Tyson Dobbins (20 ppg 6 rpg 3 apg 2 spg) Adam Valvala (8 ppg 7 rpg 5 apg 2 spg) and Jonathan Brown (14 ppg 6 rpg). The next real test for Desert will be on December 12, as they travel to Baboquivari and try to steal one on the road. This is a team that will cause some chaos at some point in the season.
1A Rankings
- The Gregory School
- Baboquivari
- Desert Christian
- North Valley Christian
- El Cap
- Joseph Ciy
- Williams
- Basis Flagstaff
- Anthem prep
- Ray
The Gregory schools win over Tanque Vere is one of the best wins in the 1A. They also have one of the most versatile teams. They opened their season by dismantling Tanque Verde. From that point Tanque Verde has been competing at a much higher level and just grabbed a region win against a WELL improved Empire in the south.Even though Desert didn’t win the PCDS tournament, they rise a spot in the rankings for their performance and grit, 5 overtime’s in one day is no joke! Williams has put together some nice wins and is really cementing themselves as a top team in the 1A so far.
2A Rankings
- San Tan Charter
- Highland Prep
- Arizona Lutheran
- Rancho
- Phoenix Christian
- Heritage academy
- Leading edge
- Glendale Prep
- Hopi
- PCDS
A few changes from the previous week, but Heritage explodes into the top 10 with a huge win on the road against PCD (56-54). This team is athletic, skilled, well coached, and I think one of their biggest advantages is people counting them out. This is going to change extremely quick. This team deserves their spot in the top 10 and will continue to give teams fits with the way that they play. “There goes my hero!!”
3A Rankings
- Valley Christian
- Gilbert Christian
- Yuma Catholic
- ALA Ironwood
- Palo Verde
- Coolidge
- Northwest
- Winslow
- SCA
- Fountain Hills
- No movement this week in the 3A.
