TIMESTAMPS:

Copper Tournament: 02:22

3A: 30:18

2A: 45:24

1A: 1:06:02

Get your brackets ready! In this high-octane episode of the Arizona Smallball Podcast, Jeff and Reyes are breaking down everything you need to know as the Arizona High School basketball playoffs reach a fever pitch. 🌵🔥The drama is heating up in the Copper Final Four, and the guys aren't holding back on their predictions. Can anyone stop the momentum of Valley Christian, or will Snowflake’s insane depth and conditioning carry them to glory? ❄️💪 We’re also scouting the clash of titans between Pima’s lockdown defense and Tuba City’s explosive offense. 🔒🏀Inside this episode:

• Bracketology: Deep dives into Valley Christian, Pima, and all of the conference tournaments landscape. 📈
• The Dark Horses: Why you shouldn't sleep on Fountain Hills or Chinle. 🐎
• Matchup Breakdowns: How Round Valley’s size creates nightmares for Miami, and why Willcox's ball pressure is a game-changer. 😤
• Future Stars: A look at Seton Catholic’s young guns and the next generation of AZ talent. ✨

From aggressive zone defenses to the "win or go home" coaching strategies, we’re covering the tactical battles that will decide who cuts down the nets. Whether it's rebounding battles or transition play, the road to the championship goes through us! 🎤🏀

In this Episode I break down the elite 8 for the girls copper tournament!!

TIME STAMPS:

Copper Tournament: 1:58 - 44:34

3A: 44:34 - 1:02:15

2A : 1:02:15 - 1:20:50

1A: 1:20:50 - End

In this episode of the Arizona Small Ball Podcast, hosts Jeff and Reyes dive deep into the intensity of the Arizona high school basketball playoffs, with a primary focus on the Copper Tournament. The guys preview the brackets, break down key matchups, and discuss which teams may have been dealt especially tough draws.

They identify potential Cinderella teams and dark horses, debate coaching strategies, and analyze how defensive and offensive efficiency could decide close games. The conversation then expands into 3A, 2A, and 1A pool play, highlighting just how competitive and unpredictable postseason basketball is across the state.

Key Takeaways & Playoff Talking Points:

• 👀 Pima is a sleeper team that could make noise in the playoffs.

• 🧨 Fort Thomas has the makeup of a true Cinderella story.

• ⚔️ Valley Christian presents a difficult matchup for ALA.

• 😬 Pusch Ridge draws a challenging first-round opponent.

• 🏆 Gilbert Christian remains a constant postseason threat.

• 💪 Parker has a strong chance to advance in their matchup.

• 🔥 Snowflake continues to post eye-popping offensive numbers.

• 🧠 Beating the same team twice — especially on the road — is never easy.

• ⚖️ Yuma Catholic looks complete and balanced heading into the playoffs.

• 🌵 Safford emerges as a dark horse in 3A.

• 😤 Florence plays with a chip on its shoulder.

• ⚠️ Ironwood is a dangerous playoff opponent nobody wants to see.

• 📊 Cerebro projection: ALA West Foothills has a 60% chance to win.

• 🏠 Madison Highland is extremely tough to beat on their home floor.

🎙️ Listen Now:
Brackets are set, pressure is on, and every possession matters. Jeff and Reyes break down who’s favored, who’s dangerous, and where the surprises could come from as playoff basketball tips off across Arizona. 🔥🏀

TIME STAMPS:

Copper Tournament: 2:17-46:25

3A: 46:25 - 1:05:49

2A: 1:05:49-1:27:22

1A: 1:27:22 - End

In this episode of the Arizona Small Ball Podcast, hosts Jeff and Reyes dive headfirst into Arizona high school basketball playoff season, with a major focus on the Copper Tournament. The guys break down bracket predictions, key matchups, and potential Cinderella teams, while analyzing strengths, weaknesses, and paths to a deep run.

The conversation then expands into the 3A, 2A, and 1A Conference Tournaments, highlighting just how competitive and unpredictable playoff basketball is across the state. Using Cerebro projections, Jeff and Reyes put numbers behind the matchups and debate where the model might be right — or wrong. 👀📊

Copper Tournament Breakdown 🏆

• ❄️ Snowflake enters as the clear favorite

• ⚔️ Pima vs Alchesay sets up as a tough, physical battle

• 👀 Joseph City vs Window Rock is one of the most intriguing matchups

• 🤝 Fountain Hills vs St. John’s feels evenly matched

• 🏔️ Tuba City is expected to overpower Round Valley

3A, 2A & 1A Tournament Predictions (Cerebro 📊)

• 🔥 Show Low — 74% chance vs Florence

• 🧱 Chinle — 90% chance vs River Valley

• 🏆 Monument Valley — 80% chance vs Ben Franklin

• ⚖️ Gilbert Christian — 56.5% chance vs Thatcher

• 👑 Kingman Academy — 60% chance vs Wilcox

• 💪 Valley Sanders — 70% chance vs SCA

• 🌵 San Simon — 75% chance vs Hayden

• ⚡ Horizon Honors — 59% chance vs Pinon

• 🔥 Williams — 57.8% chance vs The Gregory School

🎙️ Listen Now:
It’s win-or-go-home time. Brackets are set, predictions are flying, and Cinderella stories are waiting to happen. Jeff and Reyes break down who’s favored, who’s dangerous, and why playoff basketball in Arizona never disappoints. 🔥🏀

In this episode of the Arizona Small Ball Podcast, hosts Jeff and Reyes recap the latest action across Arizona high school basketball, breaking down key games, standout teams, and what’s coming next as playoff season approaches.

The guys spotlight the upcoming ASBP Senior Showcase on March 21st, highlight teams making late-season runs in 1A and 2A, and analyze the ever-chaotic 3A landscape. With postseason brackets looming, this episode is all about momentum, matchups, and which teams are becoming real threats when it matters most. 👀🔥

Key Takeaways:

• 🎉 The Arizona Small Ball Podcast Senior Showcase tips off on March 21st.

• 🔥 Williams had a standout week in 1A, turning heads late in the season.

• 📈 The Gregory School is peaking at exactly the right time.

• 💪 Fort Thomas continues to thrive as a dangerous underdog in the copper.

• 👀 Scottsdale Christian is a must-watch team in 2A.

• 🧱 PCD’s defense is locking teams down and keeping scores low.

• 🌀 Thatcher’s unique style makes them a nightmare matchup.

• 🚀 Ben Franklin is riding a winning streak with key victories.

• 😤 Bourgade Catholic is emerging as a legitimate playoff threat.

• 🔥 Valley Christian is playing strong basketball heading into postseason play.

In this episode of the Arizona Small Ball Podcast, hosts Jeff and Reyes break down the latest action across Arizona high school basketball as the playoff picture begins to take shape. The conversation covers key game recaps, standout performances, and early playoff predictions, with a focus on momentum heading into a critical week of games.

The guys highlight Miami’s rise as a potential playoff threat, San Carlos’ resurgence, and the continued dominance of Snowflake. They also dive into big matchups like Payson vs Gilbert Christian, Valley Christian’s impressive week, and multiple results across 1A–3A that could impact postseason seeding.

Episode Highlights & Talking Points:

• 📈 Miami emerging as a legitimate playoff threat

• ⚔️ Horizon Honors vs PCD delivers a competitive, high-level matchup

• 🔥 San Carlos surging late while Snowflake continues to dominate

• 💪 Payson and Valley Christian showing grit and competitiveness

• 👀 A crucial upcoming week that could reshape playoff positioning

• 🏀 Rivalry debate: Valley Christian vs Gilbert Christian

• 🚀 Valley Christian caps off an impressive week

• 📊 Page battling in the crowded 3A North

• 😲 1A upset: Williams knocks off Mogollon

• 🧱 PCD with a big win over Cicero Prep

• 👧 Spotlight on Camp Verde girls basketball

• 📈 ALA showing steady growth and improvement

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.

In this episode of the Arizona Small Ball Podcast, Jeff and Reyes break down the girls teams that are finding their rhythm at the perfect moment. From defensive intensity to improved guard play and balanced scoring, these programs are trending up as the season tightens.

St. John’s — JUICE & BALANCE 🔥

• Playing with energy and confidence

• Guards have improved dramatically

• Sharp, intentional offensive execution

• Create second chances and win 50/50 balls

• Defense has been impressive all season

Team Identity:

• Extremely balanced

• Averaging 19 steals per game

• Not always the most efficient, but very tough

Page — PLAYMAKERS STEPPING UP 📈

• Franklin playing at a high level

• Strong contributions from Savannah and Brown

• Tsingine is the difference maker

• Playing with confidence and purpose

Phoenix Country Day — TOUGH & COMPOSED 💪

• Madison Gordon leading the way

• Shot 3-for-4 from three in the 1st quarter and early 2nd

• Defends well and scores just enough to stay in every game

• Excellent ball movement vs pressure

Key Moment:

• Against San Carlos, 4 minutes into the 3rd

• Multiple passes against pressure

• Ends with a Madison three at the top — composure on display

Pima — AGGRESSION BOTH WAYS 🔥

• Led by Ashby

• Hyper-aggressive on offense and defense

• Pushes the ball constantly

• Completely overwhelmed Leading Edge with pressure and pace

Round Valley — FRONTCOURT PRESENCE 🧱

• Physical and competitive

• Consistently controls the glass

• Trending up late in the season

Ash Fork — PRESSURE & PRODUCTION 😤

• Led by Isabella Acosta

• Supported by Vazquez, Staples, and Nixon

• Averaging 35 rebounds per game

• 24 steals per game

• Acosta finished with 11 steals

Defensive Identity:

• Aggressive zone

• Pressure up top

• Took Salome out of their interior dominance

In this episode of the Arizona Small Ball Podcast, Jeff and Reyes break down a growing trend across Arizona small-ball basketball — a LOT of teams are playing zone. The guys dive into who’s thriving against it, who’s weaponizing it, and what it’s revealing about teams across 1A–3A.

⸻

Fountain Hills — Different Right Now 🔥

    •    Defending extremely well

    •    Playing confident, connected basketball

⸻

Palo Verde — CONFIDENT & ATHLETIC 💪

    •    Shooting 43% from three

    •    Playing with swagger and trust

    •    Zone defense clicking at a high level

⸻

Bourgade Catholic — ZONE + POISE 🧠

vs Northwest Christian

    •    Northwest struggled to make plays late

    •    Bourgade stayed true to their identity

    •    Aggressive zone defense + confidence

    •    Led by Malik and Rushing

    •    Created good looks using double stagger screens

vs ALA Ironwood

    •    Bourgade went up 20+

    •    Ironwood struggled to generate quality looks

    •    Zone pressure dictated the entire game

⸻

Gilbert Christian — KNOWING WHO YOU ARE 🎯

    •    Offense led by Burke

    •    Hit 39 three-pointers vs Northwest

    •    High percentage of their threes come from the corner

⸻

Valley Christian over Coolidge Thatcher & Snowflake — ELITE DEFENSE 🔒

    •    Controlled the matchup

    •    Holding teams to 50 points per game

    •    Scoring 72 points per game

    •    Complete teams on both ends

⸻

Scottsdale Christian vs NVCA — HOOPERS SHOWING OUT 🏀

    •    Cash

    •    Dom

    •    Huddy

All three playing at a very high level right now

⸻

Rock Point vs Cibecue — SCORING PUNCH 💥

    •    Begay, Begay, Yazzie, and James

    •    Combine for 60 points per game

    •    Offensive firepower on full display

⸻

Coolidge over Florence — RIVALRY GRIT ⚔️

    •    Preston Dees lead the way

    •    Florence is tough and well-coached

    •    Physical rivalry game with a great atmosphere

⸻

Horizon Honors over San Carlos

    •    Horizon withstands a 22-point 4th quarter from San Carlos

    •    Composure late seals the win

⸻

Pima over Pusch Ridge — MENTALITY GAME 🧠

    •    Played fast

    •    Ripped off 8 straight transition points in the 3rd quarter

    •    Screened well and punished mistakes

⸻

1A NOTES 🔥

    •    Fort Thomas is #4 in the open!!

    •    Joseph City riding a 7-game winning streak

⸻

LISTEN NOW 🎙️

Zone defenses are everywhere — but not everyone is ready. Jeff and Reyes break down who’s adjusting, who’s exposed, and what it all means moving forward in Arizona small-ball basketball.

In this episode of the Arizona Small Ball Podcast, Jeff and Reyes break down the teams and players that really showed out last week across Arizona small-ball basketball. From dominant weeks to statement wins, this episode highlights who’s trending up and why it matters.

⸻

Fountain Hills — BIG WEEK 🔥

    •    🏆 3 wins in one week

    •    Handled half-court zone pressure and trapping

    •    Defended the pick-and-roll at a high level

    •    Held firm against post mismatches

Key Players:

    •    ⭐ #10 Smith (guard)

    •    💪 #32 Smith (post)

    •    ⚡ #3 Taliyah — downhill attacker, strong handle, confident shot

⸻

Phoenix Country Day — Statement Week 🔥

    •    Dominant performances across the board

    •    ⭐ Elsa Termansen: 27 points, 22 rebounds

    •    Controlled the glass and dictated tempo

⸻

Malc — Rolling Right Now 🚀

    •    Led by Tanner Banks

    •    Balanced scoring with 4 other players averaging ~7 points

    •    Aggressive, athletic guards creating chaos up top

⸻

Chinle — OT WIN OVER SHOW LOW 😤

    •    Gritty overtime victory

    •    Defensive toughness and composure late

⸻

Show Low — Still a Factor 👀

    •    Despite the OT loss, had a good week

    •    This team will matter come February

⸻

St. John’s — ON FIRE 🔥🔥

    •    Momentum building fast

    •    Playing confident, connected basketball

⸻

Page — HERE THEY COME 📈

    •    Trending up at the right time

    •    Back in the conversation

⸻

Tuba City — Still Steady 💪

    •    Continues to compete at a high level

⸻

St. John Paul II — Winning Their Way 🧠

    •    Playing well within their system

    •    Aggressive zone and full-court pressure

    •    Still waiting on a true measuring-stick game

⸻

Round Valley — Frontcourt DOMINANCE 🧱

    •    ⭐ Kelci Walker & Addison Poston:

    •    47 points combined

    •    21 rebounds combined

    •    💪 34 team rebounds

⸻

Duncan vs Cicero Prep

    •    Tough, physical small-school battle

⸻

Fort Thomas — Handles Business 💪

    •    Strong win over Salome

    •    Consistency and depth showing

⸻

SNOWFLAKE — LOUD STATEMENT ❄️🔥

    •    Another reminder of who runs the room

⸻

Pima vs Pusch Ridge

    •   STATEMENT WIN BY THE ROUGHRIDERS!!

⸻

LISTEN NOW 🎙️

From dominant weeks to momentum builders, Jeff and Reyes break down who showed out — and who’s building something real heading into the heart of the season.