Arizona Republic's Super 10 girls HS basketball rankings: Jan. 11-18
The MLK Day holiday weekend brought divergent paths for Arizona’s top girls high school basketball teams. A few played in holiday tournaments with tough out-of-state opposition, while others collected easy wins. Here’s the post-holiday Super 10:
1. Surprise Valley Vista, 13-5
All five of Valley Vista’s losses — including two this week — have been against elite out-of-state teams. None are a black mark on the Monsoon’s resume. Still, the nature of those defeats has been tantalizing. Valley Vista’s last three losses have come by a combined 20 points, including last week’s overtime defeat to Anchorage Christian (Alaska). With a few more bounces their way, the Monsoon could have one of the country’s most impressive resumes.
2. Chandler Seton Catholic, 13-4
Seton Catholic had no trouble in its only game of the week, beating ALA-Queen Creek, 80-26, on MLK Day. Thursday’s trip to Glendale Deer Valley should be a good one, though. The Skyhawks are 14-2.
3. Goodyear Millennium, 10-8
It’s not often that a 10-8 team would come in at No. 3 in the Super 10. But Millennium’s in-state work outweighs its 3-7 record against out-of-state opposition. For one, just playing that many out-of-state games (primarily against California powerhouses) shows the Tigers’ ambition and means they’ll be battle-tested come next month’s 5A state tournament.
4. Tucson Salpointe Catholic, 13-4
Another week, another easy win for the Lancers. This time, it was a 77-17 dismantling of Tucson Canyon del Oro. Wednesday’s game against Tucson Pueblo likely won’t be much different.
5. Phoenix Xavier Prep, 9-4
Like Millennium, Xavier Prep has been excellent against Arizona schools all season, a trend it continued with two 70-point wins this week. The only difference is Millennium’s 65-64 win over the Gators back on Dec. 22. With games against Valley Vista and Chandler Hamilton, though, this week is full of opportunity for the Gators.
6. Tucson Flowing Wells, 18-1
Pueblo made things nervous for the Caballeros on MLK Day. The Warriors jumped out to an early lead and remained within striking distance entering the fourth quarter. Flowing Wells, though, was able to pull away late and move to 16-1.
7. Waddell Canyon View, 16-1
Canyon View did an excellent job of bouncing back from last week’s 24-point loss to Millennium, beating Avondale Agua Fria by 26. This week should be light work for the Jaguars ahead of the return trip to Millennium on Jan. 28.
8. Gilbert Perry, 12-4
Both Perry and Chandler Hamilton (which would’ve been this week’s No. 11 team) have operated in the same space this season. They’ve been good, but not great, with a handful of underwhelming performances. So far, Perry’s season-opening win over Phoenix Desert Vista is the only separating factor. On Wednesday, though, the Premier region foes face off for the first time. That should tell us a lot more.
9. Desert Vista, 16-4
Speaking of Desert Vista, the Thunder’s win streak is now up to seven. It might be a year too early for Desert Vista to truly push for a state title, but it takes a confident, experienced backcourt to break coach Dave Williams’ press. Few teams in the state have that combination.
10. Peoria Sunrise Mountain, 13-2
The Northwest region is underwhelming this season so it’s a good thing Sunrise Mountain plays Millennium on Feb. 3. Now that we’re into conference play, the Tigers might be the only team left on the Mustangs’ schedule that can beat them. In its 13 wins, Sunrise Mountain has outscored opponents by 31.3 points per game.
Theo Mackie covers Arizona high school sports and Phoenix Rising FC. He can be reached by email at theo.mackie@gannett.com and on Twitter @theo_mackie.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Republic's Super 10 girls high school basketball rankings
