Basketball teams await season openers

After months of summer practices and fall conditioning, the start of high-school basketball is just beyond the horizon. As teams hit the hardwood looking for a shot at the state tournament, coaches stress fundamentals and the ability to play as a team.

Some teams have more firepower than others, but it has been proven that any team can win on any given night. Whether a team is playing its first varsity season (Verrado) or whether a team is looking for a state title after falling just short last season (Agua Fria), this much is the truth: It is time for some hoops.

And then there are those teams looking to defend titles (Desert Edge, Millennium, Estrella Foothills).

We take a look at the teams in the Southwest Valley and see how they stack up as the season is set to begin.

Agua Fria

Region: 4A-I West Valley

Coach: Matt O'Meara

2007 record and playoff result: 26-4 overall; lost in the Class 4A Division I state title game to Millennium.

Top returners: Aaron Altherr, Sr., 10.2 PPG; Jordan Yancy, Sr., 2.6 PPG.

Coach's comment: "This team is very special," O'Meara said. "We look forward to great success if the team works hard and plays together."

Buckeye

Region: 4A-II Skyline

Coach: Rob Daggett

2007 record and playoff result: 12-13 overall; lost in first round of 4A-II state playoffs.

Top returners: Terrance Wilson, Sr., 8.4 PPG; D.J. McMahon, Jr., 7.9 PPG.

Coach's comment: "Chemistry-wise we are coming together and I'm very excited about the young talent on this team," Daggett said.

Cesar Chavez

Region: 5A-I Metro I

Coach: Gary Lee

2007 record and playoff result: 20-9; lost in third round of region tournament.

Top returners: Marques Edwards, Sr., 11.6 PPG; Brandon Brown, Jr., 8.9 PPG.

Coach's comment: "Our team should be in the top eight of the 5A-I region," Lee said.

Estrella Foothills

Region: 3A West

Coach: Ty Amundsen

2007 record and playoff result: 31-2, won 3A state title.

Top returners: Corey Hawkins, Jr., 22.0 PPG; Sean Duncan, Sr., 10.2 PPG.

Coach's comment: "I am very excited about this year's team," Amundsen said. "We have had a very long and successful off-season and guys have really fought to get better."

La Joya

Region: 5A-II Desert West

Coach: Nate Lucca

2007 record and playoff result: 12-14 overall; lost in first round of region tournament.

Top returners: Brandin Simon, Sr., 19.5 PPG; Marcus Davis, Sr., 9.1 PPG.

Coach's comment: "We are athletic and aggressive team that shows promise and a desire to win," Lucca said. "We are looking to contend for a region title and make our first trip to the state playoffs this year."

Tolleson

Region: 5A-II Desert West

Coach: Roger Lefebvre

2007 record and playoff result: 19-11 overall; lost in second round of 5A-II state playoffs.

Top returners: Shane Kozup, Sr., 16.6 PPG; Brendan Pineda, Soph., 8.4 PPG.

Coach's comment: "I'm excited about my guys," Lefebvre said. "We expect to go deep in the (state) tournament."

Westview

Region: 5A-II Desert West

Coach: Lance Richardson

2007 record and playoff result: 6-20 overall, lost in first round of region tournament.

Top returner: Josan Nimes, Sr., 18.0 PPG.

Coach's comment: "Our success depends on how hard the players work in practice and how disciplined they play in games," Richardson said.

The Republic tried to contact the head coaches at Desert Edge, Millennium and Verrado but was unsuccessful. Desert Edge won the 4A-II state championship last season while Millennium won the 4A-I state title. Verrado will be playing its first varsity boys basketball season.

Aaron Altherr plays basketball at Agua Fria High School in Avondale.