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Arizona Middle School Preseason All-State teams

By: Jeff Meadows

This year’s 8^th grade class in the state of Arizona is a very good one. Each of the following 10 players are worthy of winning the preseason 8^th grade player of the year award but let’s face it, there can only be one player of the year well, maybe two but who will it be? Will it be Rolando Rhymes the 5’10 ultra quick, super fast, lock down defender out of ASU Prep Academy? Rolando is a major factor and whatever team he’s on he raises there chance to win double, Rolando is a very physical, strong and athletically inclined PG who imposes his will on the opposing team’s guard. Rolando is the motor to that HIGH END CAR of a team the AZ Stars.  Or will it be the offensive minded scoring machine 6’0 Nathan Markovich out of San Tan Jr High in Chandler? Nathan is currently ranked among the top 50 players in the country by www.hoopscooponline.com and will definitely be ranked among the top 50 players in www.hoopsreport.com's 2014's winter rankings in a few weeks. Nathan played very well at the www.azhoopsreport.com Preseason 8th grade All-State games where Nathan's stats read: 24 pts 8 assist 6 rebounds. Nathan has been at the top of his class in the country for the past two years. Look for Nathan to have very good season. Will it be last year’s 7^th grade player of the year Dorian Pickens out of Explorer Middle School? Pickens is a 6’3 (W) who has an excellent mid and long range game along with getting himself into good playing shape/condition should make for a great season. Will it be the long and wiry Roberto Reyes. Reyes the 6’3 (W/F) out of Willis Jr High in Chandler is very athletic, fast and because of that, he’s able to defend just about every position and defend them well, Roberto is also a BIG offensive threat with his slashing skills and his ability to finish at a high rate. Roberto's stock rose when he put on a clinic using his size, speed and skill at the www.azhoopsreport.com Preseason 8th grade All-State games.  At 6’5 Chris Davis out of Milestone Charter School in Phoenix is a PAINT DOMINATING ENFORCER who has the knack for catching his opponents with a suprising dropstep two hand dunk throughout the course of games! Chris is by far the most athletic player in middle school throughout the entire state of Arizona. Chris is also a monster on the offensive boards where he makes a living off of offensive put-backs.

Next up is a young man that has improved a good deal so much in fact that he’s probably the most improved player in the class of 2014 that player is: Casey Benson the 6’0 (PG) out of Kyrene Middle School. Benson is a pure point guard, Benson has played himself into the upper esculent of guards in this class because that hasn't always been the case. Benson had a very good tournament this past weekend and was a very iatrical part of the AZ Gym Rats winning the Championship at the California MLK Middle School Classic which is one of the top Middle School events in the country. Benson could also be one the top scorers in this class if he chose to be but that’s not Benson, that’s why a lot of his peers like playing with him. Look for Benson to have a good season. Next up is the 6’9 HUMAN FLY SWATTER  Isaac Allen out of Brimhal Jr. High. Allen (like Benson) has improved worlds from a year ago this time. Allen had his coming out party this past fall at www.azhoopsreport.com’s Preseason 8^th grade Preseason All-State games where his stats read: 10 pts 14 rebounds 8 blocks. Allen has and will continue to improve, look to see very good things from this young prospect in the future. At 6'5 with long arms and the ability to shoot the ball from deep consistantly Sam Jones out of Highland Jr High is a serious threat for all opposing teams. Jones had a steller tournament this past wekend at the California Middle School MLK Classic where Jones seemed to be the peace that put that AZ Gym Rats team in a winnig situation after having 3 "lackluster" tournament performances prior to the California Tournament. Next up is the tough, gritty, hardnosed 5’10 (PG) Tate Delaveaga out of Mt. Trails Jr High. Delaveaga is the son of a coach and it shows in his play, Delaveaga a pretty good showing this past weekend at the California Middle School MLK Classic alongside Casey Benson, Nathan Markovich, Sam Jones and Jalen Brown. Look for Delaveaga to have a good season. Last but definitely not least is the new kid on the block 6’3 (PF) Elijah Casey out of Amerischools Academy. Elijah had his coming out party this past fall when he put on somewhat of a show at the www.azhoopsreport.com’s Preseason 8th grade All-State games where he scored often with a variety of very good post moves. Casey is a good looking prospect that will only get BIGGER and BETTER.

7^th grade Preseason All-State teams

Who will be the 7^th grade Preseason Player of the Year?

This year’s 7^th grade class is filled with outstanding perimeter play and fairly good post play, this class is also very deep in talent. While this class is deep there are couple of players that really standout, WHO ARE THEY? Well let’s go over the following five players starting with the silky smooth 5’3 CG out of Catherine Middle School who breaks down defenses on a constant basis Obi Megwa. Megwa is an extremely talented player who is offensive game is very “mature” meaning; he recognizes game situations very well. Next up is Chris Hokilimali out of Atkinson Middle School. Hokilimalin is a 5’9 athletic wing who can score many different ways and he’s also a very good on the ball defender. I watched Hokilimalin’s coming out part party when his Bulldog club team played against the Dream Team with Obi Megwa, Aaron Allen, Colten O’Brien etc. and Hokilimali single handedly got his team within a couple of points from a win against the state’s top 13U club team. Next up is the man in the middle; I’m talking about tha “BIG FELLA” Nick Cooley out of Heights Charter School. Nick stands 6’2 and not only is he very active, he’s very skilled. Nick proved that he was the top “BIG MAN” in 7^th grade when he DOMINATED at the www.azhoopsreport.com Preseason All-State game. Next up is the most athletic player in the class, Aaron Allen the 5’11 (F) out of Luke Elementary. Aaron is a pleasure to watch for a number of reasons, Aaron really get’s after it and if the defender is not careful, he might find himself on YouTube as an Aaron Allen highlight victim. Aaron is an excellent shot blocker and a huge problem for his opponents on the offensive and defensive end. Last but definitely not least is the one of a kind pure (PG) out of Explorer Middle School, Brandon Hoffer. Hoffer is a one of a kind player that you don’t see but every so many years. Hoffer is 5’8 and has an incredible body and is an incredible athlete. In the www.azhoopsreport.com’s 7^th grade Preseason All-State games Hoffer dominated so much that it was borderline strange. Hoffer is definitely among the top 30-20 players in the country in his class.

6^th grade Preseason All-State teams

Who will be the 6^th grade Preseason Player of the Year?

This year’s 6^th grade class ranks among the top of all classes in terms of the depth and talent level, this class is going to be a major topic of discussion for years to come. First, we have the all around talented guard Kendal Barnes. Barnes is a 5’4 (PG) that is a HUGE problem for the opposing teams. Barns is very quick, fast and makes very good decisions with the ball. Barns is a 6^th grader that plays up and he’s been playing at a high level for a couple of years now and it’s going to be very interesting to see if he can sustain playing at that level. Next up is the 5’5 (SG) Bo Bronkhurst. Bo like Kendal has been playing a very high level for over a couple of years now and looks as if he has a great chance at sustaining that. Bo comes from very good basketball stock (Father Brock) played for Arizona legendary program East H.S. and legendary Coach Royce Yuri in the 70’s. Next up is the BIG MAN, the INFORCER, the INTIMADATOR I’m talkin about Gavin Lindstrom. Gavin is 5’9 and he possesses all the intangibles of being a top tier prospects for years to come. Gavin has been the top bag man in his class for the past couple of years now. Next up is the athletic and basketball savvy 5’8 forward N’Kiel Harry. N’Kiel has shown on several different occasions that he’s for real and he’s ready to be an upper esculent prospect. N’Kiel continues to not only play steady but every time I’ve seen him he’s played at very high levels. Last but not least is the 5’9 ultra skilled and multi talented PG/CG/WF/CF/P Devin Kirby out of Sicrest Elementary in Flagstaff. Kirby is as good as they can come, Kirby is an unbelievable basketball player and at this early stage of his young career Kirby possesses a lot of things that a large majority of players just don’t have and can’t get because you have to be born with it. Kirby’s coming out party was at the www.azhoopsreport.com's 6^th grade Preseason All-State games where Kirby put on quite a show. Look for Kirby to really make his presence felt across the state and around the country.    

Arizona 5^th grade Preseason All-State teams

Who will be the 5^th grade Preseason Player of the Year?

It is such a joy to watch these “little fellas” play the game. They play with such DESIRE and LOVE that it takes you back and reminds us all why we really play or played the game, for the love. This year’s 5^th grade class is a very good one and they have been a joy to scout and first up is the “little fella” who packs a very big game Mason Stark. Mason is a little stud, he’s the best pure shooter and the best pure (PG) in his class. Nathan has improved his game by adding PG skills along with his dangerous scoring abilities. Next up is the wiry (PF) Bryce Fowler. Bryce is a great system and complimentary player, he’s does all of the so called “little things” and he does them very well. Next up is the BIG young man in the middle Matthew Kempton. Kemtpon is a very skilled young BIG MAN that comes from very good basketball stock. To be so young Kempton has a very advanced offensive game. Kempton can put it on the floor surprisingly well and he is a very good outside shooter. Next up is one of the most heralded players that the state has had or seen in quite some time, I’m talking about the all purpose guard Marcus Howard. Marcus’s talent and skill level is the highest I’ve ever seen at that age but can he sustain it? Has he sustained it? Will others eventually catch and surpass him? Last but not least is another well rounded young stud Alex Barcello. Barcello is a BIG TIME player whose skill level not far from Marcus Howards and his game has gone to the next level as well. Barcello has played extremely well the last couple of times that I’ve seen him and I know that he’s only going to get better.

Arizona 4^th grade top 10

Who will be Arizona’s 4^th grade Player of the Year?

Antonio Cueves (PG)

Bryson Menhwhinney (G)

Breven Burnett (G/F) (Tucson)

Marvin Bagely (PF) AZ Magic

Gabe Zdrale (C) Monsoon

There will also be a listing of the top “35” 8^th graders, top “20” 7^th graders, top “20” 6^th graders, top “20” 5^th graders and the top “10” 4^th graders. Be sure to log on Jan. 22 to see Arizona’s finest middle school players.