This week kicks off the start of tryouts for the AIA. Many teams probably know most of their varsity teams, but JV and freshmen teams will probably be made up this week.
Every year I release my “way-too-early Top-75,” which includes 1A-6A teams.
We will slowly reveal the teams the next few weeks before we head into the start of the season. This year the season starts Wednesday, November 19th, which is two weeks from now.
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I will start off with 75 and go from there.
#75 The Gregory School Hawks (1A)
Head Coach: Craig Everson
The skinny:
The 1A champs are back again trying to win a rare 3-peat and have most of their main core back. I know the least about the 1A conference, but I do strongly feel that they will find themselves hoisting the trophy again.
They will be led by:
6’6 2027 PF Razin Smith Jr
6’0 2026 SG Ben Head
Breakout player
6’0 2028 CG Chase Butler
#74 North Valley Christian Lions (2A)
Head Coach: Randy Walker
The skinny:
The 2A team lost in the Elite-8 of 2A last year but brought back a lot of their main players including a top-notch two-way stud with Ruffin.
They will be led by:
6’5 2027 SF Zathan Ruffin
6’6 2026 PF Noah Tabak
Breakout players
6’2 2027 G/W Noah Corrigan
5’10 2028 CG Ben Perez
#73 ALA West-Foothills Guardians (3A)
Head Coach: James Deakyne
The skinny:
The 3A team is my personal sleeper team to breakout this year and potentially make a deep run. A fun style of play with the run and gun action. Coach Deakyne was previously at Heritage Maricopa averaging around 90 ppg. Their games won’t be dull!
They will be led by:
6’5 2026 PF Cam Lauer
6’1 2026 G Cannon Trythall
Breakout players
5’10 2027 PG Blake Lunt
5’9 2028 PG Carson Bennett
#72 Pusch Ridge Lions (3A)
Head Coach: Steve Solita
The skinny:
The 3A team is the defending champion and brings back their big-two and will be a tough out all year. McKinney and Lambe are a load to handle and will carry them many nights.
They will be led by:
6’2 2027 SG Noah McKinney (Featured Image)
6’4 2026 PF Ben Lambe
Breakout player
5’11 G 2026 Santino Almazan
#71 Rancho Solano Prep Mustangs (2A)
Head Coach: Aaron Trigg
The skinny:
The 2A team is the defending champion and although they lost some top seniors they still have a quality group who should be better later in the year. Larrabee and Fulton will be huge for them all year long and once Vasiloff gets eligible he will be in the mix to help them immediately.
They will be led by:
6’1 2026 CG Luke Larrabee
5’11 2028 CG Wyatt Fulton
Breakout player
6’4 2027 SF Jacob Vasiloff
#70 Mica Mountain Thunderbolts (4A)
Head Coach Gary Lee
The skinny:
They lost in the 1st round of the 4A playoffs but brought back a big core of talent ready to make some noise led by a quartet of juniors and seniors. Their lack of size may hinder them a little but they are a good overall shooting team.
They will be led by:
5’11 CG 2026 Brandon Nickels
5’9 PG 2026 Jordan Porter
6’2 PF 2027 Alex Beck
Breakout player
6’2 SG 2027 Jaden Starks
#69 Paradise Honors Panthers (4A)
Head Coach: Cain Atkinson
The skinny:
They lost in the Sweet-16 of 4A last year and although they lost some top seniors and some transferred out, they still have some players ready to expand their roles plus a newcomer from Texas (Ambruster). Their team size will definitely help them control some games up front.
They will be led by:
6’4 PF/SF 2026 Dillan McClinton
Breakout players
6’6 PF 2026 Aaron Hubbard
6’0 PG 2026 Tayshaun Ambruster
#68 Douglas Bulldogs (4A)
Head Coach Dave Docta
The skinny:
The 4A Tucson based team lost in the play-in game but they did not lose many seniors. They have a stud 2026 duo of Felix and Lopez who should carry them many games.
They will be led by:
6’0 CG 2026 Ryan Felix
6’2 SG 2026 Diego Lopez
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