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Arizona preseason freshman all-state teams

By: Jeff Meadows

Arizona's preseason freshman all-state teams (top 20)

This year’s freshman class is as solid as any freshman class that the state has had. Starting with the guards, John Marshall is a steady PG who is quarterbacking the Desert Vista H.S varsity team. Marshall has been among the top 5 players in his class in the state since the 6^th grade. Marshall isn’t very quick but he has descent speed. Marshall’s biggest attributes are his strength, size 6’0 175lbs and his basketball I.Q. Joran Hopkins is the opposite of Marshall, Hopkins is a quick, fast and fairly athletic PG who has been the top PG in his class for the past 2 years. Hopkins also plays varsity for one of the top high school teams in the state the Basha Bears. At the wing position is Damian Mendoza, Mendoza unlike the other 4 players busted upon the scene last year when he played in the Arizona middle school North/South all-state game where he scored 26 pts, grabbed 12 rebs and had a couple of monstrous throw downs. Mendoza is very athletic and is a very good 3pt shooter. At the post position is Muarice Kirby, Kirby has improved dramatically over the past 12 months. Last year at this time Kirby was a top 12 player in his class in the state of Arizona but now Kirby is among the top 3 players in his class in the state. This young man has a HUGE upside so look for him to continue to improve. We always save the best for last and the cream at the top of Arizona’s class of 2013 is none other than Torren Jones of Chandler’s Basha H.S. Jones is among the top 15-20 players in the country in the class of 2013 and my unanimous choice for Arizona preseason freshman of the year. Jones is a DOMINATOR; he controls the paint on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Jones is currently avg 18 pts 12 rebs and 4 blocks a game for the Basha varsity team. Jones is the best player to come out of Arizona since class of "06" Jarryd Bayless (Phoenix St. Mary's/U of A/Portland Trailblazers) and the best big forward since class "98" Richard Jefferson (Phoenix Moon Valley H.S./U of A/San Antonio Spurs). Look for Jones to have an incredible freshman year. Take a look at the Arizona preseason freshman all-state teams, enjoy!

FIRST TEAM

John Marshall 6’0 (PG) Desert Vista H.S. (Phoenix)

Jaron Hopkins 6’1 (PG) Basha H.S. (Chandler)

Damian Mendoza 6’5 (W) Sierra Linda H.S. (Glendale)

Torren Jones 6’8 (F) Basha H.S. (Chandler)

Maurice Kirby 6’8 (P) Flagstaff H.S. (Flagstaff)

Preseason Freshman of the Year: Torren Jones 6’8 (F) Basha H.S. (Chandler)

SECOND TEAM

Jordan Williams 5’9 (PG) Desert Mt H.S. (Scottsdale)

Khari Holloway 6’0 (CG) Mt. Pointe H.S. (Phoenix)

Devin White 6’0 (G) Marcos De Niza H.S. (Tempe)

Jalen Richards 6’1 (WG) Maricopa H.S. (Maricopa)

Joe Boyd 6’7 (C) Chaparral H.S. (Scottsdale)

THIRD TEAM

Loyd Speece 5’9 (PG) Catalina Foothills (Tucson)

Desmon Ross 6’1 (G) Kellis H.S. (Glendale)

Diego Magana 6’2 (G) Desert Mt. H.S. (Scottsdale)

Bryce Ferabee 6’2 (WG) Highland H.S. (Gilbert)

Eric Conklin 6’6 (F) Saguaro H.S. (Scottsdale)

FOURTH TEAM

Chris Williams 5’8 (PG) Cortez H.S. (Glendale)

Cole Hayes 5’10 (PG) Deer Valley H.S. (Glendale)

Travis Meeker 6’0 (G) Shephard Jr High (Mesa)

Jeremias Cardenas 6’4 (PF) Santa Rita H.S. (Tucson)