Point blank: Best high school backcourts in Arizona
State gets into full swing next week across Arizona and it's going to take total team efforts for champions to emerge. It also takes stellar backcourts.
Ask any coach, and he'll tell you that championships are driven by a great backcourt.
Here is a look at my top 10 backcourts:
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No. 1 Alex Barcello, Saben Lee, Tempe Corona del Sol
Both are juniors and both are point guards with another guard, Tyrell Henderson, serving more as a wing who can spot up and shoot and slash inside for baskets. Corona del Sol's lack of an inside presence has put more pressure on these guys but they've handled it well late in the season, steering the four-time defending Division I champions to six consecutive wins, regaining the No.1 ranking in Division I. During a four-game stretch recently, Barcello averaged 32 points and Lee 21 points.
No. 2 Michael Bibby, Bryce Fisher, Phoenix Shadow Mountain
Bibby is a true point guard who can score. He plays his best in big games, much like his dad did in high school with his clutch shooting and passing. Fisher has been more of a role player with wing J.J. Rhymes a go-to guy, finishing around the glass. Fisher is solid, however. He won't make turnovers and defends really well.
No. 3 Holland Woods, Dre Marin, Glendale Apollo
Dynamic, fast, high-scoring, these juniors can score in a hurry. They're interchangeable with Holland great at breaking defenses down off the dribble. They've led Apollo to 12 consecutive wins with Holland averaging 22 points and Marin 19 a game.
No. 4 Malique Washington, Amiri Chukwuemeka, Tempe McClintock
McClintock might be undersized but it has a chance at state because of this dynamic duo. Washington is more the lead guard averaging five assists. But Chukwuemeka is very good at the point, as well. He is the school's all-time leading scorer. This season he is averaging 20 points. Washington averages 17.9 points and 2.2 steals.
No. 5 Mark Hatch, David Cummard, Mesa
There is a reason why Mesa is one of the Division I favorites. It's a family affair, a team so well-connected and communicative on the court. Hatch, a sophomore, is the brother of leading scorer Drew, who is a wing. Cummard, one of the state's better defenders, is the nephew of former Mesa and BYU star Lee Cummard, who was Arizona's Player of the Year, leading the Jackrabbits to their last state title. The Hatches' father, Kirk, is an assistant coach.
Pros, cons of high school basketball sectionals
No. 6 Donald Carter, Kenny Sutton, Laveen Cesar Chavez
Same starting backcourt that led team to 26 wins last year in Division I. Now they're doing it in Division II, poised to lead the Champions to a deep run at state with Carter take the lead and Sutton the scorer.
No. 7 Tarik Cool, Caleb Simmons, Phoenix Desert Vista
Everything runs through these guys. When they're on, Desert Vista is as dangerous as any team in Division I. They helped key the Thunder's run to the state final last season with Cool knocking down 3s and Simmons making quick cuts to the basket for buckets, a killer combo.
No. 8 Byron Murphy, Kenneth Arrick, Scottsdale Saguaro
Murphy, who is Michael Bibby's cousin, is a freak athlete who can beat you off the dribble. Arrick is a good shooter. And with junior wing Jake Lieppert averaging a team-best 19 points a game, it makes Saguaro a strong threat in Division II.
High school boys basketball regular-season awards
No. 9 Cesar Ozuna, Mikey Silva, Tucson Sunnyside
Both are averaging double figures scoring and providing go-to forward Jacob Inclan many opportunities around the basket, because teams have to pay attention to this backcourt.
No. 10 Dane Maggi, Terrance Gilder, Phoenix Sunnyslope
Sunnyslope has the best record (22-4) in Division I because of this backcourt. Gilder is a good defender whose quickness sets up Maggi from behind the arc. Maggi is tough as nails and will sacrifice his body to take charges and make difficult shots in the lane. They are the glue to a team that has made a big turnaround from last year.
Reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-460-1710. Follow him at twitter.com/azc_obert.
