Season Defining Week Ahead

In this upcoming week Brophy plays the meat of their schedule. This week will define the regular season and the playoffs are looming. Brophy has proven they are a solid team, but they have yet to record a marquee win. The Broncos have lost some elite competition; No. 2 team (Corona Del Sol), the No. 3 team (North), and the No. 5 team in 5A-I (Mesa).

Last year around this time Brophy recorded two marquee wins (No. 1 Mesa and arch-rival St. Mary's). So here are the three games coming up. I will only be able to make the St. Mary's game because I am headed off to Manresa on the Kairos 109 retreat.

Tuesday Jan. 18 vs Hamilton (12-4): The Huskies come into play red-hot winning their last 6 games. Last three seasons: 18-10, 16-14, 21-11.

Key Players to Watch:
G Jack Cone (No. 5), leads Hamilton with 18. 1 points/game, also has 5.3 rebounds/game. Cone leads team with 17 steals and 10 three pointers made.

F Erik Jacobson (No. 21), averages 12.9 points/game, 10.5 rebounds/game, and 2.5 blocks/game.

Friday Jan. 21 at Desert Vista (14-5): The Thunder have lost their last two games in a row by a combined three points. They were on a 13-1 strike before that. Last three years: 11-15, 8-17, 26-5 (state championship).

Key Player to Watch:
SF Danny Powell (No. 4), leads team with 21.2 points/game and 10.5 rebounds/game. Powell shoots very high percentages (52% from the field, 44% from three's, and 90% from the line).

Saturday Jan. 22 vs Saint Mary's (hoopcoming): Even with plummeting enrollment, you could usually count on the Knights (7-9) being contenders. Basketball was the one sport that seemed to survive, but St. Mary's is reeling right now losing 7 straight games. This is a program with some great alumni, most notable Channing Frye, Jerryd Bayless, and Andre Ethier. Last three seasons: 18-10, 22-4 (state championship), 21-11.
Key Players to Watch:
G Chris Mason (No. 33), averages 18.1 points/game and leads team with 9.5 rebounds/game.
G Bryan Rhymes (No. 24), leads team with 19.8 points/game and 5.2 rebounds/game.