The Hoop Report - Updated 4A-6A Rankings + Awards Season News

Welcome back hoop fans to another edition of The Hoop Report.

Basketball season is coming to a close as just two weeks remain in the regular season and with that means the stress from both players and coaches alike is at an all-time fever pitch.

Some teams are coming closer together while others are splintering but one thing is for certain, the intensity of each matchup grows the closer the schedule gets to February 12th.

In the meantime, with the regular season dying down the team at NextUpAZ came together to nominate players and coaches from each individual conference for an awards watchlist.

These nominees will be among those considered for each conference award on the website following the conclusion of the season.

A player once nominated is able to be voted on for an award or all-conference/all-class spot in February. A player can be nominated following the release of the watchlist and can be added through the end of the regular season to potentially be voted on.

The postseason will see separate awards and nominations that are strictly based off performance for all games following the February 13th bracket release show on 3TV hosted by Mark McClune and Jose Garcia.

6A Conference

1. Sunnyslope

2. Millennium

3. O’Connor

4. Highland

5. Brophy

6. Mesa

7. Pinnacle

8. Basha

9. Chandler

10. Red Mountain

On the bubble: Hamilton, Perry, Higley, Casteel, Liberty

The top of the 6A conference is set however from 6-10 and into the bubble, chaos has started to take shape as teams beat those above them while losing to the teams that are beneath them. Key matchups throughout the week include Liberty/Pinnacle, Chandler/Casteel, and Basha/Perry.

5A Conference

1. Central

2. Campo Verde

3. Mountain Pointe

4. Ironwood

5. Willow Canyon

6. Canyon View

7. Verrado

8. Centennial

9. Cienega

10. Carl Hayden

On the bubble: Casa Grande, Buena, Paradise Valley, Notre Dame Prep, Independence

5A continues to be clear cut as to who the top team is. However there was a shakeup as Ironwood cruised to the 7 point victory over Willow Canyon in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. With the Eagles hitting their stride they’re a dangerous team to watch entering the postseason. Key games include: Campo Verde/Notre Dame Prep, Cienega/Sahuaro (4A), Central/Centennial

4A Conference

1. St Mary’s

2. Deer Valley

3. Cactus Shadows

4. Arcadia

5. Westview

6. Saguaro

7. Dysart

8. Sahuaro

9. ALA Queen Creek

10. Coconino

On the bubble: Cholla, Paradise Honors, Salpointe, Ironwood Ridge, Douglas

The 4A region of death is cannibalizing itself in the rankings each night with different matchups but they’re all competitive which is why there’s not much of a switch up in the rankings. Deer Valley is looking to showcase why they’re the deepest team in the conference and the bunch of Southern Arizona teams just outside the top 10 are looking to crack in.

Key games include: Deer Valley/Westview, Saguaro/Arcadia, ALA Queen Creek/Eastmark