6A Playoffs Round 1 Review, Round 2 Preview and Predictions

Last night, the 6A playoffs kicked off with 2 first round games. Cesar Chavez hosted Gilbert and Mountain View hosted Chandler, with the latter being extremely competitive and exciting. The two teams that came out on top have challenging tests ahead.

Gilbert 46, Cesar Chavez 65

Cesar Chavez completely dominated this game and left no doubt why they were the higher seed. Cesar Chavez had key performances from Lex Clontz and Drayce Crenshaw, both being influential in multiple facets of the game. Gilbert just could not get it done in this one, but with head coach Gary Ernst, the Tigers have a lot to look forward to for the coming years.

Chandler 39, Mountain View 42

Mountain View and Chandler battled in one of the classic games this year. The defense was tenacious and the offense prevailed in clutch moments. This game was tied at the half, close through the fourth quarter, and came down to the wire. The Toros took a large lead in the fourth quarter, but Brandon Stapleton drove down and drilled three consecutive triples to tie up the game. The scoring would halt until with 5 seconds left, Jackson Wooley pulled up to hit the game winning triple and the arena went absolutely crazy.

16 Cesar Chavez vs 1 Highland

Cesar Chavez is coming off a massive victory over Gilbert, but Highland is a new level of opponent for the Champions. Highland is one of the most lethal shooting teams in the state and they play extremely aggressively on the defensive end. However, Lex Clontz is a special talent. If the Champions want a shot to advance, he needs to have the game of his life. The Hawks offense is going to be too much for the Champions, and Highland should come away with an easy victory.

PREDICTION: Cesar Chavez 49, Highland 64

9 Casteel vs 8 Williams Field

Casteel and Williams Field should be one of the best first round games in the 6A bracket. Williams Field is coming off an upset win over Liberty in the first round of the open, but they would ultimately fall to the Boulder Creek Jaguars. Williams Field is led by Patrice Mpouli, Caron Perez, and Adan Diggs, three very special talents. Casteel finds their leadership from Amare King, the NAU commit. King is also paired with the towering Lazor brothers, who add much needed height to the Colts’ lineup. Casteel has an advantage in the height department, but Williams Field is just too talented. The Blackhawks are going to win this game comfortably.

PREDICTION: Casteel 54, Williams Field 77

12 Apollo vs 5 Brophy

Brophy is coming off an open division run which saw them beat Prescott on the road and fall to top seeded Perry in the Pumas house. Brophy got handily dominated in that one, with 4 Perry scorers in double figures. Brophy is led by Ryan Burbach and Daylen Sharper, two division 1 caliber athletes. Apollo is a very deep team, but they are very young. Their youth will show in this one, as Brophy should deal with Apollo.

PREDICTION: Apollo 47, Brophy 74

13 Desert Vista vs 4 West Point

In a shocking turn of events, Desert Vista forfeited their first round game against the Dragons of West Point high after some of their players participated in a recreational basketball game, which rules them ineligible for the contest based on AIA rules.

14 Pinnacle vs 3 Higley

Higley is the heavily favored team in this matchup, coming off a win against Mountain Pointe and a loss to O’Connor in the open division bracket. Higley is very talented, with Noah Gloor, the Dabney brothers, and Austin Turner playing significant parts in the Knights’ high powered offense. Higley holds the advantage on offense, and they will be too high powered for the Pioneers in this one. Pinnacle has a good squad, but Higley has a better one.

PREDICTION: Pinnacle 72, Higley 94

11 Mesa vs 6 Tucson

This is a rematch of a game earlier in the season, where Mesa went down to Tucson and lost closely. Mesa is headlined by freshman phenom Kyi Kyi Miles, who is an exceptional defender and scorer for his youth. Tucson is led by many different players, as they have one of the best, most balanced scoring attacks in the state. Mesa will be too much offensively, even in John Petersen’s absence. Daijon Grayson should have a good game against the small Badger guards, and Kyi Kyi Miles will have a field day against the guards and forwards.

PREDICTION: Mesa 72, Tucson 59

10 Red Mountain vs 7 Hamilton

Hamilton won their first round game at Willow Canyon, one of the biggest first round upsets in the open bracket. They almost pulled off a monumental upset over Notre Dame Prep, losing 55-53. Davion Harris is having a phenomenal year, but so are the Mountain Lions. Red Mountain is led by Drew Hall, a transfer guard from Basha. Red Mountain is also headlined by big man Bjorn Molenaar, as well as Gage Lindsey. Red Mountain has had a special year, but Hamilton is just too hot right now. The Huskies will win this one, but it should be very close. Hamilton will squeak this one out.

PREDICTION: Red Mountain 57, Hamilton 58

15 Mountain View vs 2 Liberty

Liberty lost in the first round to Williams Field, the technical biggest upset of the first round of the open division. Liberty is led by Stephan Miller, a very talented forward who plays suffocating defense and scores with ease. Mountain View is riding a magical win over Chandler, where Jackson Wooley hit a clutch triple to win the game. Bryson Gundry was also held rather easily against Chandler, but he should be able to bounce back relatively quickly. Gundry and Wooley are a special duo, and they have a chance to pull off this upset. Mountain View is going to pull it off, and they will do it convincingly. Liberty has been unimpressive as of late, and Mountain View is riding some magical moments. The Toros will advance to the next round.