Preseason top 10: Heralded underclassmen make Gorman basketball the team to beat

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Christopher DeVargas

Players of the Gorman High basketball team, from left James Freeman, Darrion Williams and Ryan Abelman, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun’s High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Sat, Nov 20, 2021 (2 a.m.)

A new high school basketball season is about to begin with some familiar teams atop the Sun’s preseason rankings.

Bishop Gorman will be playing for a 10th straight large-school classification state championship this winter with a completely different cast of players. The teams chasing the Gaels also have many new faces.

The pandemic brought a cancellation of the 2020-21 season, meaning most programs have few participants who have competed in a varsity game. It’s just Gorman’s new faces — sophomores Keenan Bey, Ryder Elisaldez, John Mobley and Jase Richardson, and freshman Chris Nwuli — are projected to wind up as blue chip recruits and expected to usher in a new era of title-winning basketball.

They’ll combine with senior Ryan Abelman, a Northern Arizona signee who played on the 2019 team, and forwards James Freeman and Darrion Williams to again put Gorman in contention.

But Gaels’ coach Grant Rice isn’t labeling his team as the favorite, especially with the new class 5A league featuring 12 quality programs.

“It’s going to be competitive. Definitely, I don’t see a clear-cut favorite on the boys side,” Rice said. “There are some really good teams, and on any given night, they can give everyone their best shot.”

Here’s a look at those teams in the Sun’s preseason top 10:

1. Bishop Gorman

Why the Gaels: Until someone beats Gorman in the playoffs — which hasn’t happened since Bishop Manogue’s upset in the 2011 state tournament — the championship will go through the Gaels. Centennial, Clark and Coronado have each come close over the past decade to dethroning the Gaels, but each came up short in the fourth quarter to show how tough it is to knock off a powerhouse program.

What stands in the way: Gorman’s success will ultimately be defined by how quickly its heralded underclassmen get acclimated the rigors of the high school game — challenges such as playing in a packed hostile gym or against older players. Like all teams, there’s also the issues of getting everyone on the same page now that basketball activities are in full swing after pandemic closures. “Over the last couple of months we developed chemistry every day,” Williams said.

Players to watch: Abelman, Bey Elisaldez, Freeman, Mobley, Nwuli, Richardson and Williams.

2. Coronado

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Players of the Coronado High basketball team, from left DJ Fizer, Isaac Peralta, Josiah Cunningham, Richard "Pop Pop" Isaacs and Osiris Grady, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun's High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Why the Cougars: Jaden Hardy, the best player in school history, graduated last year and is playing professionally in the NBA G League. His impact is still being felt, though, as Coronado in his four years went from being a strong local program to making a splash nationally. Coronado, like the team it is chasing in Gorman, will play plenty of out-of-state competition to prepare for league play. The Cougars also have the area’s top-rated class of 2022 player in point guard Richard “Pop Pop” Isaacs, a four-star prospect rated as No. 52 nationally by 24/7 Sports. He started as a ninth-grader for the Cougars and will bring much experience for the expected close games of the postseason. But he’s not the only threat as the Coronado roster is stacked from top to bottom. “We have strength at every position,” Coronado coach Jeff Kaufman said. “We share the ball. We defend as a team. It is going to be fun to watch.”

What stands in the way: Gorman. For as much as Coronado has worked to build a team capable of upending the perennial powers, they still haven’t broken through. In fact, Coronado hasn’t been to the state tournament since 2017.

Players to watch: Josiah Cunningham, Osiris Grady, Isaac Peralta, Isaacs and DJ Pizer

3. Liberty

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Players of the Liberty High basketball team, from left Joshua Jefferson, Angelo Kambala, DJ Thomas and Aaron Price, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun's High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Why the Patriots: The last we saw of Liberty — yes, it was two seasons ago — the Patriots lost at the buzzer to Bishop Gorman in the playoffs. This could be the year they are the last team standing, especially with senior forward Joshua Jefferson leading the way. The St. Mary’s signee has played in many big games for Liberty over the years and has the size (6-foot-7, 220 pounds) and skills that are difficult to defend. He can score from inside and out, and is a capable passer. The Patriots also have arguably the city’s best underclassman in sophomore point guard DJ Thomas, who despite not having played one minute in high school because of the pandemic, is expected to have a breakout season. Liberty also got a boost in the offseason when Kevin Soares, one of the state’s most accomplished and respected coaches, agreed to take over the program.

What stands in the way: In addition to getting back into game shape after pandemic closures, the Patriots are also learning a new system. Soares gives them an instant boost, but only when players become familiar with the game plan. There will surely be some moments of bad play, and in the new class 5A, there’s little room for slipping up.

Players to watch: Jefferson, Thomas, Aaron Price and Angelo Kambala.

4. Durango

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Players of the Durango High basketball team, from left Sebastian Mack, Sterling Knox, Shane Thomas, Elijah Johnson, Tylen Riley and Taj Degourville, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun's High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Why the Trailblazers: Durango has one of the most experienced players in town in senior guard Shane Thomas, who received varsity playing time as a freshman in 2018-19. They also have junior Sebastian Mack, who in Durango’s run to the 2020 state tournament nailed four first-half 3-pointers in its playoff victory against Coronado. Durango also returns wing Sterling Knox, who received valuable minutes off the bench in 2019-20. It’s a great starting point for a program that expects a return trip to the state tournament. “We are just trying to get better every day,” coach Chad Beeten said.

What stands in the way: Coronado, Liberty and Gorman. The four teams will battle for supremacy all season, and come the postseason in February, will have to beat each other in consecutive games to become champions. For Durango to match up, it will need to develop depth with its core group of unproven — yet talented ­— players.

Players to watch: Thomas, Mack, Knox, Tylen Riley and Taj Degourville.

5. Spring Valley

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Players of the Spring Valley High basketball team, from left Pharaoh Compton, Alijah Adem and Desean Moreno, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun's High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Why the Grizzles: Many feel Spring Valley is the favorite to win the class 4A state championship. One look at the size of the players on the roster and it’s easy to see why, especially with 6-foot-5 forward Pharaoh Compton leading the way. The Grizzlies intend to turn every game into a track meet and feel they have the personnel to win high-scoring affairs, including guard Alijah Adem. Coach Paul Blair says he’s got a great shooting team, and he isn’t shy in saying, “We are going to score a lot of points.”

What stands in the way: In past seasons, Spring Valley was in the same league as Gorman and Durango, and thus always looking up in the standing. Now, they’ll be at the top. Success will hinge on how well players adapt to being the team to beat, because taking nights off or getting overconfident could lead to being upset.

Players to watch: Adem, Compton and Desean Moreno.

6. Desert Pines

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Players of the Desert Pines High basketball team, from left Jamir Stephens, Osvaldo Biebrich, Isiaac Boykin and Evan Tatum, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun's High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Why the Jaguars: Desert Pines is two years removed from going undefeated in league and playing in the state championship game, and although only two players remain from that team, players are confident they can still compete. “The goal is to keep moving forward and not take any breaks,” said Dai’Mar Harris, who was elevated in the fall from assistant coach to head coach. Like Desert Pines teams of past seasons, Harris said pressure defense will remain the program’s focus, knowing it has the athletes in the backcourt to impact the game. “Playing defense is mandatory,” the coach said.

What stands in the way: Aside from guard Jamir Stephens, who was a regular on the state runner-up squad two seasons ago in averaging 5.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as a sophomore, the Jaguars have little experience. While Harris likes his younger players, he also knows in the new 5A that “no team is easy and every game counts.”

Players to watch: Osvaldo Biebrich, Isiaac Boykin, Stephens and Evan Tatum. Tatum and Boykin each played in a handful of games in 2019-20.

7. Las Vegas

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Players of the Las Vegas High basketball team, from left TJ Brown and Tavi Jackson, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun's High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Why the Wildcats: The team with the best player in prep basketball is often the team that walks away with the victory. Well, Las Vegas will have the best player every night in senior guard Tavi Jackson. The 6-foot-1 guard has shined on the club circuit in the offseason, especially with his playmaking and shooting ability. He’ll combine with TJ Brown — two players with significant varsity experience — to have Las Vegas in the thick of the class 4A playoff race. Don’t be surprised when they make a deep run.

What stands in the way: Las Vegas, like most teams, will need to quickly develop players to have a winning season. If they can find another scoring option, the sky is the limit.

Players to watch: Brown and Jackson

8. Foothill

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Players of the Foothill High basketball team, from left Zak Abdalla, John Derrick and Cole Stearman, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun's High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Why the Falcons: With 6-foot-7 senior forwards John Derrick and Cole Stearman, Foothill will have a distinct size advantage against most opponents. Coach Paul DeSantis hopes they also have an advantage when it comes to effort. “Foothill is always going to play hard. We are going to be scrappy and we are going to take charges,” DeSantis said. “We are going to be a team that’s hard to guard and hard to score on.” Coronado and Liberty are ranked ahead of the Falcons in the preseason, but Foothill believes its defensive intensity will keep them in contention. They envision forcing teams into tough baskets. “It’s constant ball pressure. Do (our) best to wear them out,” Stearman said.

What stands in the way: Foothill’s schedule in the new class 5A is a who’s who of the city’s top programs, many of whom have blue-chip college recruits leading the way. Foothill doesn’t have that one player who can take over a game, instead relying on a team approach and system to win games. “Hopefully we can give these teams a challenge,” DeSantis said.

Players to watch: Freshman Zak Abdalla, John Derrick and Cole Stearman

9. Centennial

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Players of the Centennial High basketball team, from left Jayven Jones, Eli Hart, Emeka Caesar and Toby Roberts, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun's High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Why the Bulldogs: Centennial has an abundance of combo guards, most of whom bring athleticism, strong defense and the ability to knock down shots. And when the starting backcourt gets tired, coach Noah Hartsock feels he’s got a few reserves who will also impact the game. The practices are so competitive, Hartsock said, that he’s still trying to hammer out a rotation. Hartsock expects his team to play well together, as they’ve been teammates on the lower levels. “We’ve got a good chance to be a good team by the end of the year,” he said.

What stands in the way: How’s this for a tough schedule? In a three-game stretch, the Bulldogs play at Durango (Jan. 19), at Coronado (Jan. 25) and at Liberty (Jan. 31). It’s one thing to be in the tough class 5A, it’s another to draw all of the teams you are chasing on the road. “It’s the best of the best. We are excited to prove ourselves,” Hartsock said.

Players to watch: Emeka Caesar, Eli Hart and Toby Roberts

10. Mojave

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Players of the Mojave High basketball team, from left Ja'Marion Smith, C.J. Shaw and Giali Chapman, take a portrait during the Las Vegas Sun's High School Basketball Media Day at the Red Rock Resort and Casino, Nov. 1, 2021.

Why the Rattlers: During club ball events in the fall, Mojave kept giving fits to supposedly superior teams. “We are a very athletic team right now,” coach KeJuan Clark said. And in the class 4A, that should be enough to put the Rattlers in position to make a postseason run. Clark says his team plays solid defense and has proven to excel at shooting.

What stands in the way: Every team in Nevada lacks experience with just a handful of returners. Mojave is slightly different: Not one player has ever competed in a varsity game. That doesn’t bother Clark, who says his team has been hustling each day to make up for lost time from the pandemic. “We are grateful for the opportunity to play and condition,” he said.

Players to watch: C.J. Shaw, freshman guard Giali Chapman, Ja’Marion Smith

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