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5th Annual Arizona Middle School Showcase Recap

By: Jeff Meadows

 

HOOPSREPORT’S ARIZONA MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOWCASE MVP’S

2016 MVP: Chris Ellis 6’3 (PG) South Pointe Christian (Sacramento, CA)

2017 MVP: Elishja Duplechan 5’7 (PG) South Pointe Christian (Sacramento, CA)

2018 MVP: Marvin Bagely 6’4 (F) (Phoenix, AZ) & Bryan Baptiste 5’4 (G) San Tan (Chandler, AZ)

2019 MVP: Blaise Threatt 5’2 (G) Grayhawk (Scottsdale, AZ)

 

HOOPSREPORT’S ARIZONA MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOWCASE CLASS OF 2016 TOP 40 PLAYER RANKING

1. Christian Ellis 6’3 (PG) South Pointe Christian (Sacramento, CA) 

2. Mitch Lightfoot 6’5 (F) Wilson (Tucson, AZ)

3. N’Keal Harry 6’2 (W) Dobson Academy (Mesa, AZ)

4. Carlos Johnson 6’2 (W/F) South Pointe (Phoenix, AZ)

5. Duviugn Regan 5’10 (G) Pastor (Phoenix, AZ)

6. Jake Rueter 5’11 (G) St. Mary Basha School (Chandler, AZ)

7. Brett Morrow 6’5 (PF) Mount Elden (Flagstaff, AZ)

8. Bryce Fisher 5’7 (PG) Pharos (Chandler,AZ)

9. Tony Licavoli 6’2 (F) Granite Mt. (Prescott, AZ)

10. Kahliq Muhammad 5’5 (PG) Free Agent Team

11. Malik Roundtree 5’9 (SG) Lavean (Phoenix, AZ)

12. Michael Freeman 5’4 (PG) Thomas Heck (Phoenix, AZ)

13. Griffin Goller 5’9 (G) Desert Ridge (Phoenix, AZ)

14. Josh Zaker 6’1 (PF) Desert Ridge (Phoenix, AZ)

15. JD Davis 5’9 (W) Villago (Phoenix, AZ)

16. Sammy Trepanier 6’1 (F) Discovery (Phoenix, AZ)

17. Alec Tellez 5’6 (PG) Explorer (Scottsdale, AZ)

18. Cameron Stark 5’5 (G) Willis (Chandler, AZ)

19. George Lee 5’6 (G) Fountain Hills (Fountain Hills, AZ)

20. Tyrell Henderson 6’0 (F) Bogle (Mesa, AZ)

21. Brent Meyers 5’2 (PG) Fountain Hills (Fountain Hills, AZ)

22. Nik Mains 6’0 (F) Mountain Trails (Mesa, AZ)

23. Bilal Muhammed 6’0 (F) Phoenix Soldiers

24. Jordan Blake 5’8 (G/F) Wigwam Creek (Scottsdale, AZ)

25. Jon Stevens 6’2 (PF) Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran (Scottsdale, AZ)

26. Antwon Antonio 5’11 (F) Fountain Hills (Fountain Hills, AZ)

27. Amir Dedic 5’8 (G) South Valley (Gilbert, AZ)

28. Will Hannen 5’11 (F) Mountain View (Scottsdale, AZ)

29. Lorenzo Blancas 5’9 (F) Sunland (Phoenix, AZ)

30. Tejay Hudson 5’0 (PG) Thomas Heck (Scottsdale, AZ)

31. Robert McCallum 5’8 (F) Phoenix Soldiers

32. Deron Boozer 5’7 (G) Sunland (Phoenix, AZ)

33. Jordan Vigueria 5’10 (F) Phoenix Soldiers

34. Jamal Haskins 5’10 (F) St. Matthews (Glendale, AZ)

35. Dylan Monaghan 5’5 (PG) Phoenix Soldiers

36. Andres Quijano 5’10 (F) Marley Park (Glendale, AZ)

37. Keeshaun Cobb 5’7 (G) Estrella Vista (Buckeye, AZ)

38. Kyle Goggans 5’6 (G) Parkview (Glendale, AZ)

39. David Wheatle 5’3 (PG) Verrado (Buckeye, AZ)

40. Aaron Perez 5’6 (PG) St. Matthews (Glendale, AZ)

 

HOOPSREPORT’S ARIZONA MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOWCASE CLASS OF 2017 TOP 25 PLAYER RANKING

1. Elishja Duchenan 5’8 (PG) South Pointe Christian (Sacramento, CA)

2. Isaiah Duchenan 5’7 (PG) South Pointe Christian (Sacramento, CA)

3. DJ Henderson 6’0 (PF) Kyrene (Tempe, AZ)

4. Holland "Boo Boo" Woods 5’4 (PG) Cotton Bowl (Phoenix, AZ)

5. Caleb Simmons 6’1 (W) AZ NEV Gold (Scottsdale, AZ)

6. Tyler Jaffery 6’2 (F) Cocopah (Scottsdale, AZ)

7. Mason Stark 5’3 (PG) Hamilton Prep (Chandler, AZ)

8. Morningstar Takapu 6’2 (F) Thomas Heck (Scottsdale, AZ)

9. Rylan "Patch" Nelson 5’6 (G) Mountainside (Scottsdale, AZ)

10. Abel Navarrette 5’10 (F) Western Sky (Phoenix, AZ)

11. Parker Farely 5’6 (G) Mountainside (Scottsdale, AZ)

12. Scottie Schimkat 5’2 (PG) Cocopah (Scottsdale, AZ)

13. Michael Guitierrez 5’9 (F) Sunland (Phoenix, AZ)

14. Leon Chavez 6’1 (PF) Ranco Mirage (Glendale, AZ)

15. Tre Mitchell 5’6 (G) Avondale (Avondale, AZ)

16. Zach Lopez 6’0 (F) Verrado (Buckeye, AZ)

17. Akil Holloway 5’6 (G) Akiemal (Phoenix, AZ)

18. Jackson Morton 5’5 (PG) Verrado (Buckeye, AZ)

19. JT Thoman 5’8 (G) Desert Canyon (Scottsdale, AZ)

20. Connor Majarucon 5’3 (PG) Heritage (Phoenix, AZ)

21. Jamal Haskins 5’10 (F) St. Matthews (Glendale, AZ)

22. Tyler Gibbons 5’7 (G/F) Mountainside (Phoenix, AZ)

23. Chad Porter 5’9 (F) Akiemal (Phoenix, AZ)

24. Tyler Yu 5’6 (G) Akiemal (Phoenix, AZ)

25. Jacob Reis 5’2 (PG) Shephard (Scottsdale, AZ)

 

HOOPSREPORT’S ARIZONA MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOWCASE CLASS OF 2018 TOP 5 PLAYER RANKING

1. Marvin Bagely 6’4 (F) AZ Future (Phoenix, AZ)

2. Bryan Baptiste 5’4 (G) San Tan (Chandler, AZ)

5. Marquise White 5’1 (PG) Capital (Phoenix, AZ)

 

HOOPSREPORT’S ARIZONA MIDDLE SCHOOL SHOWCASE TOP 50 PLAYER RANKING REGARDLESS OF CLASS

1. Christian Ellis 6’3 (PG) South Pointe Christian (Sacramento, CA) (2016)

2. Mitch Lightfoot 6’5 (F) Wilson (Tucson, AZ) (2016)

3. N’Keal Harry 6’2 (W) Dobson Academy (Mesa, AZ) (2016)

4. Carlos Johnson 6’2 (W/F) South Pointe (Phoenix, AZ) (2016)

5. Elishja Duchenan 5’8 (PG) South Pointe Christian (Sacramento, CA) (2017)

6. Duviugn Regan 5’10 (G) Pastor 5’11 (SG) Pastor (Phoenix, AZ) (2016)

7. Jake Rueter 5’11 (G) St. Mary Basha School (Chandler, AZ) (2016)

8. Brett Morrow 6’5 (PF) Mount Elden (Flagstaff, AZ) (2016)

9. Bryce Fisher 5’7 (PG) Pharos (Chandler,AZ) (2016)

10. Tony Licavoli 6’2 (F) Granite Mt. (Prescott, AZ) (2016)

13. Marvin Bagely 6’4 (F) AZ Future (Phoenix, AZ) (2018)

14. Malik Roundtree 5’9 (SG) Lavean (Phoenix, AZ) (2016)

15. DJ Henderson 6’0 (PF) Kyrene (Tempe, AZ) (2017)

16. Michael Freeman 5’4 (PG) Thomas Heck (Phoenix, AZ) (2016)

17. Holland "Boo Boo" Woods 5’4 (PG) Cotton Bowl (Phoenix, AZ) (2017)

18. Bryan Baptiste 5’4 (G) San Tan (Chandler) (2018)

19. Griffin Goller 5’9 (G) Desert Ridge (Phoenix, AZ) (2016)

20. Caleb Simmons 6’1 (W) AZ NEV Gold (Scottsdale, AZ) (2017)

21. Josh Zaker 6’1 (PF) Desert Ridge (Phoenix, AZ) (2016)

22. Tyler Jaffery 6’2 (F) Cocopah (Scottsdale, AZ) (2017)

23. Mason Stark 5’3 (PG) Hamilton Prep (Chandler, AZ) (2017)

24. Morningstar Takapu 6’2 (F) Thomas Heck (Scottsdale, AZ) (2017)

25. Rylan "Patch" Nelson 5’6 (G) Mountainside (Scottsdale, AZ) (2017)

26. Abel Navarrette 5’10 (F) Western Sky (Phoenix, AZ) (2017)

27. Josh Zaker 6’1 (PF) Desert Ridge (Phoenix,AZ) (2016)

28. Parker Farely 5’6 (G) Mountainside (Scottsdale, AZ) (2017)

29. JD Davis 5’9 (W) Villago (Phoenix, AZ) (2016)

30. Sammy Trepanier 6’1 (F) Discovery (Phoenix, AZ) (2016)

31. Blaise Threatt 5’2 (G) Grayhawk (Scottsdale, AZ) (2019)

32. Alec Tellez 5’6 (PG) Explorer (Scottsdale, AZ) (2019)

33. Cameron Stark 5’5 (G) Willis (Chandler, AZ) (2016)

34. Scottie Schimkat 5’2 (PG) Cocopah (Scottsdale, AZ) (2017)

35. Michael Guitierrez 5’9 (F) Sunland (Phoenix, AZ) (2017)

36. George Lee 5’6 (G) Fountain Hills (Fountain Hills, AZ) (2016)

37. Leon Chavez 6’1 (PF) Ranco Mirage (Glendale, AZ) (2017)

38. Tyrell Henderson 6’0 (F) Bogle (Mesa, AZ) (2016)

39. Brent Meyers 5’2 (PG) Fountain Hills (Fountain Hills, AZ) (2016)

40. Nik Mains 6’0 (F) Mountain Trails (Mesa, AZ) (2016)

41. Bilal Muhammed 6’0 (F) Phoenix Soldiers (2016)

42. Jordan Blake 5’8 (G/F) Wigwam Creek (Scottsdale, AZ) (2016)

43. Jon Stevens 6’2 (PF) Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran (Scottsdale, AZ) (4016)

45. Antwon Antonio 5’11 (F) Fountain Hills (Fountain Hills, AZ) (2016)

46. Kwame Hymes 5’10 (F) (Glendale,AZ) (2018)

47. Amir Dedic 5’8 (G) South Valley (Gilbert, AZ) (2016)

48. Will Hannen 5’11 (F) Mountain View (Scottsdale, AZ) (2016)

49. Lorenzo Blancas 5’9 (F) Sunland (Phoenix, AZ) (2016)

50. Tejay Hudson 5’0 (PG) Thomas Heck (Scottsdale, AZ) (2016)

 

THE NORTHERN CAL/BAY AREA CONNECTION

After attending one of the top middle school showcases/camps, Dinos Trigonis (Pangos Triple Crown) and coming away with two MVP’s, the "Northern Cal/Bay Area Connection" Christian Ellis, Isaiah Duplechan & Elishja Duplechan have begun taking the country by storm with their outstanding play at now, two major events "Back to Back". "The boys have a "Take on all comers" attitude" says Enoch Duplechan, father of Elishja & Isaiah "Where ever there’s a top event, we will be there". Christian Ellis is a 6’3 (G) who is truly special and possesses all of the skills, attributes, basketball I.Q., feel for the game and physical abilities that are not normal for most players in any class let alone 8^th grade (not to mention the fact that Christian is the nephew of current NBA stand-out guard Montay Ellis), Elishja Duplechan a 5’8 (PG) who’s lightening fast, super cat quick, possesses an outstanding handle and is a defensive demon, Isaiah Duplechan, a 5’7 (PG) who possesses pretty much the same talent and skill set that his twin brother Isaiah possesses. At the Pangos Triple Crown which featured the top middle school players on the west coast, Christian walked away with the 8^th grade MVP and Elishja walked away with the 7^th grade MVP while twin brother Isaiah finished being ranked among the top 5, 7^th graders. Christian is most definitely one of the top 8^th graders in the country, a legitimate top 20 prospect, Elishja, a top 40-60 7^th grade prospect nationally and twin brother Isaiah, a top 50-70, 7^th grade prospect nationally. I ‘m really looking forward to our Hoopsreport middle school national player rankings.  

 

THE “MITCH LIGHTFOOT FACTOR”

Mitch Lightfoot came into this event in my eyes as a virtual unknown but it was clear that he was a very special player at the very beginning of his first game, the very first play of the game, Lightfoot was given the ball near half court and once he received the pass Lightfoot raced past defenders, took off on one foot just inside the pant and tomahawk slammed it home. At 6’5, long, athletic, wiry, rangy and extremely active, Lightfoot is and will be an instant problem for the majority of his 8^th grade counterparts. Lightfoot dominated the entire day weather it was blocking shots, controlling the offensive and defensive rebounds, scoring inside and out, streaking down the court past all defenders to get the outlet pass and finishing on the break or going coast to coast and beating all defenders down the court and finishing, if it could be done, Mitch was doing it. Mitch’s high energy style of play and great motor will propel him to be a nationally ranked player not to mention his great size, body strength, high skill level and great mental toughness. Mitch was Hoopsreport’s #2 ranked 8^th grader at this year’s Arizona Middle School Showcase and it is very safe to say that you can expect to see Mitch Lightfoot in Hoopsreport’s upcoming class of 2016 National Player rankings.

 

BAGELY & BAPTISTE

Marvin Bagely and Brian Baptiste are two exceptionally good players that are polar opposites. Bagely, 6’4 (F), very skilled, very athletic and has been the state's most dominant player in his class ever since he hit the scene a couple of years ago whereas 5’4 (G) Brian Baptiste is a new comer to scene who had very good showings at Chad Groth and Etop Udo-Ema's Adidas Middle School Explosion Camp held at Desert Mt. HS in Scottsdale, AZ a couple of months ago where Baptiste was named by Hoopsreport as the top 6^th grader at the camp and at the Pangos Triple Crown in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago, Baptiste was rated as one the top 6^th graders in attendance as where  Bagley was named the top 6^th grader in attendance. Bagely, a very big kid for his grade and age, is a dominating force on both the offense and defensive ends of the floor and by the look of things, Bagely will continue to improve. Baptiste is a gamey, cagey (G) who consistently plays big. Baptiste has a great outside shot (mid or long range) and possesses an above average court awareness and basketball I.Q. Over a three (3) game period, Baptiste averaged 13 points 6 assist and 4 rebounds mainly against high quality 8^th graders. Marvin Bagely just continued his normal dominace on the offensive, defensive rebounds, shot blocking and scoring inside before he was injured in his third game of the day. Bagely and Baptiste both have proven that they are now "high level prospects nationally" and the question becomes, "Where will Bagely and Baptiste end up in Hoopsreport’s class of 2018 National Player Rankings"?  

 

AGE AIN’T NOTHIN BUT A NUMBER!

In an event that was occupied by a majority of high caliber 8^th graders, not only did Blaise Threatt find away to survive and compete, he pretty much dominated throughout the entire day. You see, the reason why I mentioned the fact that Blaise pretty much dominated is because Blaise is only a 5^th grader, that’s right, a 5^th grader and not to mention the fact that Blaise is the son of former NBA star Sedale Threatt. Blaise is such a joy to watch for those of us who really, truly love the game of basketball. Blaise total knowledge of the game is "Off the charts" as well as his game. Blaise ability to finish among the trees time and time again was "mind boggling" so was his ability to control the tempo in two (2) of the three (3) games he played in. Blaise has the total package offensively and he’s also a grimey, gritty defensive player. Blaise averaged 11 points 7 assist and 3 steals and proved time and time again that he’s definite force in middle school basketball nationally. I’ve been in involved with Grassroots basketball for 20 years and Blaise is one the best players that I’ve seen in a very, very long time at his age/grade level and I’m certain that there are only great things to come from Mr. Threatt in the near future.

 

HOOPSREPORT’S 2016, 2017 & 2018 NATIONAL PLAYER RANKINGS

On February 12th Hoopsreport will be posting our highly anticipated 2016, 2017 & 2018 National Player Rankings so make to stay logged on for any updates.

This article is associated with the following player(s):
Bagely, Marvin
Baptiste, Bryan
Duplechan, Elishja
Duplechan, Isaiah
Ellis, Christian
Harry, N'Keal
Hymes, Kwame
Johnson, Carlos
Meadows, Bryce
Threatt, Blaise

POSTED: 1-27-2012

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