NextUpAZ’s 4A Awards Watchlist

With the AIA regular season entering the final two weeks, the race to the end is expected to be one of the most exciting finishes the association has ever seen.

Playoff seeding and region titles are on the line and leading the way are the talented athletes on the court fighting for 32 minutes a game for a chance to help their teams.

In the 4A conference, much of the attention has been focused on the top of the conference as regions such as the Desert Sky possess multiple championship contenders and open division dark horses squads. But outside of the top is a strong contingent of under the radar and upstart teams and players who have changed the narrative and expectations of previously underperforming programs.

That’s why the team of NextUpAZ got together and decided to nominate players for regular season awards which will be announced during the playoffs.

---

These nominees were selected by Delon Bowen, Spencer Goldberg, Gregg Rosenberg, Aaron Villa, John Millyard, Cedric Cobb Sr., and Jacob Seliga

The players nominated are eligible to be voted on for regular season awards, all-conference, all-state, and all-class teams by NextUpAZ in February and March.

A player that wasn’t nominated or listed in this cycle of voting still can be added to the list between now and the bracket release show on the morning of February 13th.

The regular season awards finalists will be released on February 6 for both 3A & 2A.

Player of the year:

• Cameron Williams, St Mary’s

• Mason Kendrick, Arcadia

• Sergio Gonzales, Deer Valley

• Pierce Harrington, Saguaro

• Santiago Leyva, Dysart

• Fitz Guinan, Coconino

• Nasir Haley, Saguaro

• Ethan Ulrich, Cactus Shadows

• George Mihilli, ALA Queen Creek

• Kingston Campas, Salpointe Catholic

• Cisco Llamas, Sahuaro

• Cartier Flores, Westview

• Jacobi Thompson II, Arcadia

• Brayden Chojnowski, Estrella Foothills

  
  

Coach of the year:

• Damin Lopez, St Mary’s

• Jed Dunn, Deer Valley

• Kellen Holmes, Westview

• Keegan Cook, Dysart

• Annie Bankhand, Barry Goldwater

• Zach Washut, Cactus Shadows

• Lucas Ramirez, Saguaro

• Greg Richards, Arcadia

• Cooper Elliott, Coconino

• Luke Stuckey, ALA Queen Creek

• Cain Atkinson, Paradise Honors

Defensive player of the year:

• Cameron Williams, St Mary’s

• Micah Andrews, Deer Valley

• Cisco Llamas, Sahuaro

• Justice Hinds, Saguaro

• Daryl Little, Thunderbird

• Ashton Haavard, Dysart

• Caden Lozen, Prescott

• Aaron Hubbard, Paradise Honors

• Pierce Harrington, Saguaro

• Joshua Holland, Cortez

Most Outstanding Freshman:

• Jacobi Thompson II, Arcadia

• Jordan Cruz, Dysart

• Colin Godfrey, Cactus Shadows

• Avery Murphy, Tempe

Most Outstanding Sophomore:

• Bentley Elrod, Saguaro

• Nasir Hailey, Saguaro

• Pierce Harrington, Saguaro

• Caden Lozen, Prescott

• Lucas Anderson, Ironwood Ridge

• Carter Bagley, St Mary’s

• Isaac Teasley, Sahuaro

Most Outstanding Junior:

• Mick Riordan, St Mary’s

• Myles Godfrey, Cactus Shadows

• Micah Andrews, Deer Valley

• Brock Knee, Arcadia

• Ashton Havvard, Dysart

• Brayden Chojonowski, Estrella Foothills

• Cameron Hicks, Salpointe Catholic

• Conall Tiernan, Greenway

• Marvin Dobine, Westview

Most Outstanding Senior:

• Mason Kendrick, Arcadia

• Sergio Gonzales, Deer Valley

• Cameron Williams, St Mary’s

• Santiago Leyva, Dysart

• Fitz Guinan, Coconino

• Ethan Ulrich, Cactus Shadows

• George Mihilli, ALA Queen Creek

• Kingston Campas, Salpointe Catholic

• Cisco Llamas, Sahuaro

• Cartier Flores, Westview