In this episode of the Arizona Small Ball Podcast, Jeff and Reyes break down the boys teams that are hitting their stride at exactly the right moment. From defensive execution to shot-making, chemistry, and toughness, these teams are trending up as the season tightens. Horizon Honors — CONNECTED & CONFIDENT 🔥 Doing all the little things right Great help defense and strong closeouts Constant communication on defense Setting lots of ball screens Making smart passes and decisions Playing together with confidence Led by Hewitt, Wallace, and Pardazi Team shooting 34% from three Hewitt at 37%, others right behind at 35–34% Scottsdale Christian Academy — PICK & ROLL MASTERY 🎯 Cash, Huddy, and Dom all shooting it well Huddy shooting 44% from three Hit an insane buzzer-beater to end the 1st quarter vs Rancho Offensively: Run pick-and-roll extremely well Spain action off it to free Huddy Dom makes great reads and can score off the dribble Defensively: Threw a Box-and-1 vs Rancho Enough weapons around Huddy to punish coverage Glendale Prep— ROLE CLARITY & CUTTING 🧠Led by Daniel and Talan Daniel: 14 pts, 5 ast, 5 reb, 4 st, 30% from three Talan: 16 pts, shooting 40% from three, 59 made threes on the season Jumped out fast vs NVCA Constant cutting and screening Marcus Edwards and Dylan Lincoln are vital pieces who fit perfectly Pima — TOUGH, FAST, AND PHYSICAL 💪 Consistent transition buckets Guards like Thompson and Corona pushing pace Scores in the paint Out-rebounds opponents Mentally tough One of the most solid defensive teams in small ball Hayden — SIZE, ZONE & SECOND CHANCES 🧱 Physical 1–3–1 zone with great size Aggressive offensively Pass-and-cut offense Looking to get the ball inside to Hong Key Engine: Garner: 17 ppg, 8 rpg, 3 apg, 3 spg 30 rebounds per game as a team Tons of second-chance points Palo Verde — STYLE PROOF 😤 Ultra-aggressive identity Held Ben Franklin to 32% shooting Ben Franklin shot 19% from three, Palo Verde 13% Palo only took 8 threes compared to Ben’s 27 Palo shot 58% from two This team can win: In track meets In backyard brawls In cage matches On the moon 🌕 — good luck Payson — GAMERS 🔥🔥 Huge week with wins over Gilbert, San Tan, Snowflake, and Ironwood Elite shot challenges Active hands Outstanding help-the-helper defense Finishes possessions Creates extra possessions Pressing with discipline: Never out of control Uses pressure to force turnovers, then gets set Depth & toughness: Omar, Manny, Dane, Peyton, plus bench contributors ready to go Signature play: Ironwood has a 3-on-1 break Omar hustles back, walls up Three Payson players crash back to rebound Payson comes up with the ball That’s who they are.
