It's a new final four in 6A boys hoops

February 24, 2020 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Desert Vista's Osaere Ighodaro (24) is a force on both ends of the floor in the Thunder's bid for a state final berth. (AzPreps365 photo)

The 6A boys basketball final four is a complete makeover from last year when the semis consisted of Pinnacle, Perry, Hamilton and Chaparral. This year it's No. 1 Desert Vista that last visited the semis in 2018 and has won one state title to its credit in 2008. No. 7  Chandler last reached the semis in 1991 when it lost to Carl Hayden and it last won a championship in 1984. No. 11 Mountain Pointe is one of two semis participants yet to win a champonship. The Pride's best finish came as runner-up in 2018. Other than that its last semifinal appearance was in 2006The new kid on the block is No. 4 Skyline, which delivered its first-ever semifinal appearence in its two-decade existence with a furious rally in the last five minutes to edge Perry last weekend.

A breakdown of the 2020 final four matchups:

#4 SKYLINE AT #1 DESERT VISTA, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

How they got here: Skyline defeated Corona del Sol 81-53, in the first round and beat Perry, 43-41, in the quarterfinals. Desert Vista defeated Valley Vista, 77-54, in the first round and knocked off Cesar Chavez, 67-52, in the quarterfinals.

Regular season meeting: Teams did not play. 

Skyline (27-2):  The Coyotes don't go very deep relying on their starters and occasionally one or two subs off the bench. The scoring is spread around led by NAU signee and senior guard Dayton Harris. Harris brings a 16.3 scoring average to the semis along with a whopping 10 assists per game. Fellow starters junior Patrick Herrera (13.2 ppg), sophomore Dominic Capriotti (13.1 ppg), senior Tanner Poeshel (12.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg) and senior Tyree Tyler (9.6 ppg, 9.8 rpg) make for a well-rounded attack. Skyline has won 18 games in a row since suffering its only loss on the court in mid-December to Highland. The Coyotes won both invitationals they participated in and looks for the biggest trophy to cap its season. 

Desert Vista (26-3):  The Thunder have been very consistent as as well with Skyline in fashioning the two best records of the remaining quartet. Desert Vista has won 15 of its last 16 games. The Thnunder won Mesa High's Fear Th Hop tourney to open the season in dominant fashion. DV's prowess begins with 6-10 Osasere  Ighodaro, who averages 15.3 points a game but also clogs the middle for opponents seeking entry in the lane. Ighodaro adds 10 rebounds and four blocked shots per outing. Sophomore guard Desean Lecque is a weapon on the perimeter and leads the Thunder in scoring at 18.7 ppg. Sophomore Andrew King adds double -figure scoring (11.6) and fellow starter Marcus Waddy is just shy of that mark at 8.8 ppg. Desert Vista goes deeper in its lineup which could be an edge with John Solomon, Tayan Thompson, Malik Mack and Will Coates in the mix.

#11 MOUNTAIN POINTE AT #7 CHANDLER, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

How they got here: Mountain Pointe defeated La Joya Community, 59-48, in the first round and beat Pinnacle, 82-73, in the quarterfinals. Chandler defeated Desert Ridge, 62-45, in the first round and beat Hamilton, 48-47, in the quarterfinals. 

Regular season meeting:  Chandler won when teams met Dec. 4, 74-70. 

Mountain Pointe (15-11):  Mountain Pointe has never won a boys basketball title and competed this year with its third head coach in three years in Pride alum Kaimarr Price. The Pride is is led by junior guard Jason Kimbrough (15 ppg and six assists), the engine of the offense and junior forward Zereoue Williams (13.7 rpg, 3.5blk), the anchor of the defense. Sophomore guard Anthony Jaramillo (12 ppg) and freshman guard Mark Brown (13 ppg, 5 apg) have played big roles as starters as well. Price said prior to postseason his team's tough schedule played a big role in advancing a mostly inexperienced varsity squad. As the No. 11 seed, the lowest seed to reach the big-school semis since St. Mary's in 2010.

Chandler (19-8):  With nine newcomers to the program this season, coach Jon Rother had a wait-and-see attitude if his squad would be able to gel by season's end. Injuries and the addition of four transfers at the beginning or middle of the season made for intervals of adjustment. With junior point guard and starting varsity veteran Carson Kelly (19.7 ppg, 5.1 apg) back for the quarterfinals from a broken thumb, the Wolves were at full strength and able to outlast Hamilton in the quarterfinals  Transfer Nick Riley was eligible to begin the season and has responded with a double-double average (14.1 ppg and 10.5 rpg). Sophomore Mekhi Mason has been a stalwart and checked in with 11.5 ppg.  Midseason eligible transfers Isaiah Broady (10.6 ppg), junior wing Darian Masi and junior wing Elijah Johnson have eased into the lineup the second half of the season.