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Local teams shine in Section 7 basketball experience

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Tribune Sports Editor

It was the �irst time in well over a year East Valley and Ahwatukee basketball teams had the chance to play in front of college coaches. The NCAA set in place a recruiting dead period in March 2020, where coaches were unable to see athletes in person and no of�icial visits were able to take place. That dead period quickly turned into the longest ever due to the pandemic. It was �inally lifted June 1. “It’s big,” Mesa basketball coach Scott Stansberry said. “Everything we do is about these kids. We want to give them the opportunity to be seen, to represent Mesa High School and Arizona as a state.” While the high school basketball season eventually got underway in Arizona last winter — albeit after two delays, a cancellation and reinstatement by the Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Governing Board — teams were barred from competing in tournaments throughout the summer months as cases surged. That, however, is no longer the case. Nearly 200 teams, including Mesa, Red Mountain, Dobson and several other East Valley schools and many from out of state, descended upon Glendale for the Section 7 Team Camp June 18-20. More than 400 college coaches were in attendance at State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals that was transformed into a basketball player’s heaven with 12 courts. Fans were in attendance for all games, which began at 8 a.m. each day and concluded around 11 p.m. For many players it was a new experience. Some, however, have competed in similar-sized spectacles. But the normal atmosphere was an overall welcomed site for everyone involved. Mesa, fresh off one of its best seasons in history �inishing as the No. 2 ranked team in 6A after a 15-2 regular season, entered the tournament with a bit of a chip on its shoulder as it still had a sour taste in its mouth after being upset in the �irst round of the playoffs. Mesa senior Talbot Cummard said seeing all of the college coaches in attendance at Section 7 was motivating to him and his team to perform their best in each game over the course of the three-day tournament. (Zac

BonDurant/Tribune Contributor)

The Jackrabbits graduated several senior leaders from last year’s team and will look to senior forward Talbot Cummard to lead the way both vocally and on both ends of the �loor this coming season. Cummard was key in Mesa’s day two win over Marin Catholic from California. The win also helped the Jackrabbits get back on track after a twopoint loss the �irst day of Section 7. Overall, Mesa �inished 2-2 in its respective bracket. It was a solid showing from Cummard and his teammates, who admittedly didn’t know what to expect walking into the large stadium �illed with other prep teams and college coaches. “It was a really good feeling, it was motivating,” Cummard said. “We wanted to come here and perform in front of them. As a team, we want to come in here, get better and win. It’s a unique experience.” Like Mesa, Red Mountain debuted several new players at Section 7 for this upcoming season. Several freshman and sophomores got playing time under head coach Chris Lemon, who said it was a learning opportunity for his young team. The Mountain Lions started slow in the tournament, losing its opening matchup to Jordan out of Utah. They did, however, bounce back with a win over Central. Lemon said he was happy his kids had the opportunity to play in front of college coaches. Afterall, navigating through various restrictions and shutdowns last summer proved to be dif�icult for Red Mountain and all other teams. “When you’re in a high school gym you may see one college coach a day,” Lemon said. “But being here, with all of them in one place, it changes the perspective, and it gets these kids excited. They all have a chance to show these colleges something and that’s really cool.” Braeden Moore, a junior forward for Red Mountain, said it was a nerve wrecking experience playing in front of hundreds of college coaches. After all, it was the �irst time he had ever experienced a tournament like Section 7. But it was also an enjoyable experience. “I have never experienced something like this because of COVID last year,” Moore said. “It’s just crazy seeing all of these college coaches walking around and all of these other teams. It’s special to have the opportunity to show all of them what I’ve got. I hope I was able to prove something to them.” Dobson’s boys basketball team opened the tournament with a win over Valley Christian. The Mustangs �inished 2-2 overall, winning their �inal game on Sunday over Williams Field. Mesa’s girls basketball team made a run to the championship game in the girls’ division of Section 7, beating the likes of Casteel in the process. The Jackrabbits lost in the title game, however, to a strong Millennium program. Desert Ridge’s boys’ team was also involved at Section 7. Along with Valley Christian and Casteel’s girls’ team, Hamilton boys, Basha boys and both Chandler squads were also present in the tournament. Gilbert, Highland, Campo Verde and Perry represented the Gilbert area. “The way they put this whole thing on, it’s a spectacle,” Lemon said. “Especially for our team being so young, it’s the �irst time most of my players have done something like this. I think they really appreciated it.”

Braeden Moore, a junior at Red Mountain, had never experienced a tournament at this level in his young basketball career. Overall, he said it was an enjoyable experience and was thankful to play in front of college coaches. (Zac BonDurant/Tribune Contributor)