'There is a buzz around campus': Brothers Kevin, Kallai Patton putting Maricopa basketball on the map

They walked through the gym doors last summer, and immediately coach Paul Gretkierewicz took notice.

Then, he saw the Patton brothers — Kevin Jr., and Kallai — dribble the ball, shoot, run, dunk, score, and knew something was about to change.

Maricopa High School, once a doormat in Arizona high school hoops, suddenly was on the map. Big time.

The Rams (19-3) can become the first Arizona Interscholastic Association 6A boys basketball team to 20 wins at home Friday night when they play Tucson. In the past three seasons combined, the school won a total of eight games, including three last year.

Now, they're riding a 16-game winning streak with Kevin Patton Jr., a 6-foot-8 junior, averaging 19.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 3.3 assists, and Kallai, a 6-4 sophomore, averaging 11.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 steals.

"Before I even got a chance to work with them on the floor, I could tell what high character young men they both were," Gretkierewicz said. "They were excited to learn about their new school and just talking with them I could tell they had a very high IQ for the game and a winning mentality.

"Once we got on the floor, you could immediately see how talented they were. They immediately came in and changed the tone of practice and their work habits were contagious with some of the other players in the program."

There were a few factors that led to the Patton brothers to Maricopa.

It started at Gilbert Perry, Kevin's freshman year. He suffered a broken ankle that kept him off the court.

Then, last year, when COVID-19 was hitting its peak in the winter, the AIA Executive Board actually voted to cancel winter sports, before public outcry led to a re-vote and the board flipping the vote in favor of proceeding with winter sports that would start in January.

Before that happened, Kevin Sr., moved his sons to AZ Compass Prep, a charter school near Chandler High School, that had a national high school team and a Canyon Athletic Association Open Division team.

They led AZ Compass to the CAA Open title.

"(Kevin) missed his entire freshman season to a broken ankle," Kevin Sr., said. "Fast forward to the 2020-21 season. They said there wasn't going to be an AIA season because of COVID. I did not want to risk him missing his first two years, because of a broken ankle and because of COVID. So that's why we went to Compass."

Then, the family moved to Maricopa, a booming area that has grown in the past several years with new housing. Kevin Sr., bought a house that is only 15 minutes away from the high school.

Had the brothers stayed at AZ Compass, Kevin Jr., would more than likely be playing on its top national team that travels the country for games against top prep academies and is ranked among the top teams in the country. Kallai would have been placed on the CAA Open team again.

That would have made for two different schedules for the dad to juggle with his sons. He wanted them together.

"I'm the only one driving; they're not driving," Kevin Sr., said. "That's how we ended up here."

The brothers are ecstatic to be part of something that is growing at Maricopa, a program nobody noticed until they got there.

"We moved out there and this seemed like the best option," said Kevin Jr., who has offers from Northern Arizona, Santa Clara and Rice. "It's just about playing together.

"We knew coming in that we didn't have as much chemistry as other teams, because we haven't been together as long. We just wanted to make sure that we jelled. We have nice chemistry with everybody and get along."

The chemistry between the brothers has helped them elevate their game. They're both dynamic athletes who play above the rim. They're also very unselfish, making sure their teammates get a big piece of the scoring.

"It's a good opportunity," Kallai said about playing with his brother. "We know what we can do. We know what each other's strengths and weaknesses are."

This is all new territory for the Pattons and for Maricopa. Opposing teams see those guys at the other end in warmups and can't help but notice.

"I don't know what they expect to be honest," Kallai said. "I know they notice that we're taller, sort of."

Kevin Patton Jr., is on his way to being a major recruit with his tremendous jumping ability and the way he can defend and score the basketball from inside, outside and in mid-range.

Kevin Patton Sr., who is nearly 6-6, moved from Los Angeles in college, playing basketball for two years at Mesa Community College for Alton Lister. After that, he went to Arizona State.

He had lived in Minnesota for 11 years, before returning to the Phoenix area four years ago.

Everybody is waiting to see how legit this Maricopa team is. It has played only one top-10 ranked team in 6A, losing to No. 10 Mesa 46-33 on Dec. 2. Since then, the Rams have reeled off 16 straight wins.

"People always question," Kevin Sr., said. "Last year, they won the CAA Open championship. The question was, 'Is Kevin a winner? Can he win? Can Kallai win? What can he do?' We answered that by coming here at Maricopa they can win games.

"I wanted them to be in a situation where they had the opportunity to lead a team. I think that's important going into college to show that you've got some leadership skills."

Maricopa should be good for a while. Behind Kevin and Kallai is an 8-year-old brother who loves basketball.

Gretkierewicz said Kevin and Kallai have taken over as leaders ever since the first practice this season.

"Both brothers are great teammates and are leaders on and off the floor," Gretkierewicz said. "They are not only stars on the floor but also in the classroom. Several teachers have complemented their attitude and work ethic in class. Kevin is a 4.0 student and Kallai is also an honor roll student himself.

"With the help of Kevin and Kallai, our team has had a great start of the year and due to that there has been much more support and interest in the student body and community. There is a buzz around campus with the season we are having."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kevin, Kallai Patton changing Maricopa basketball fortunes