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Arizona preseason sohpomore all-state teams

By: Jeff Meadows

Arizona preseason sophomore all-state teams (top 20)

Arizona’s class of 2012 like the others is very solid. The guard play is extremely good and the forwards are strong as well. Starting with the 6’5 long and wiry forward Christian Thompson out Phoenix Arcadia H.S. Thompson has a very good mid range game along with being very athletic, makes him a high commodity for local AAU teams and college coaches. Next up is the big, strong, physical and very athletic Kizma Jagne the 6’4 power player out Caesar Chavez H.S. in Phoenix. Kizma made his presence felt and earned his spot at the top when he had an 18 pt 12 reb 5 block performance at the Arizona preseason all-state games. Next up is the 5’10 low to the ground PG who has one of the best handles in the state Dwayne Russell out of Peoria H.S. in Peoria, AZ. Russell is a scoring machine, he scores in bunches and is a fiery competitor look for Russell to have a very productive season for Peoria H.S. Next up is the 6’2 all purpose guard out of Phoenix’s Arcadia H.S. Larr Lewis. Lewis is a mid to high level prospect right now who can do it all athleticism, mid range, long range, good handle, basketball I.Q., he has it all. Last but not least is the 6’2 super athletic, good outside shooting, very good defensive, very good ballhandling Demitrius Balark out of Glendale’s Kellis H.S. Balark is my pick as the unanimous choice for preseason sophomore player of the year. Balark has more than earned this selection. Balark finishes wuth the best them and he usually finishes with throw down. With Balark being a lefty, it constantly confuses the defender. Balark staked his claim at Dinos Trigonis’s Pangos all-west camp where he earned all-west camp honors. Balark is also rated among the top 50 sophomores in the country by various websites/scouting services. Balark is a high major prospect who will definitely sign a BIG TIME scholarship very soon. Here are the rest of the preseason sophomore all-state teams, enjoy!  

First Team

Dwayne Russell 5’10 (PG) Peoria H.S. (Peoria)

Demitrius Balark 6’2 (PG) Kellis H.S. (Glendale)

Larr Lewis 6’2 (G) Arcadia H.S. (Phoenix)

Kizma Jagne 6’4 (F) Caesar Chavez H.S. (Phoenix)

Christian Thompson 6’5 (F) Arcadia H.S. (Phoenix)

Preseason sophomore Player of the Year: Demitrius Balark 6’2 (PG) Kellis H.S. (Glendale)

Second Team

Tony Lillard 5’9 (PG) Amphitheater (Tucson)

Omar Lee 6’0 (PG) Chandler H.S. (Chandler)

Danny Powell 6’4 (F) Mesa H.S. (Mesa)

Avery Moss 6’5 (F) Mesa H.S. (Mesa)

Caymen Boone 6’6 (F) Mt. View H.S. (Mesa)

Third Team

Quincey Tucker 5’9 (PG) Palo Verde H.S. (Tucson)

Marc Matthews 6’1 (G) Buena H.S. (Tucson)

Callum Long 6’5 (W) Flagstaff H.S. (Flagstaff)

Jacob Monteverde 6’4 (F) Catalina Foot Hills (Tucson)

Stacey Davis 6’5 (P) Tolleson H.S. (Tolleson)

Fourth Team

Petey Stazzone 5’9 (PG) Corona Del Sol H.S. (Tempe)

Calaen Robinson 6’1 (G) Corona Del Sol H.S. (Tempe)

Cy Wassef 6’1 (G) Millinium H.S. (Glendale)

Bikonzi Moise 6’3 (W/G) Kellis H.S. (Glendale)

Talbott Denny 6’4 (F) Salpointe H.S. (Tucson)