FINAL 5A-I Power Rankings and Playoff Matchups

By Justin Janssen '11

1. Mesa *(19-5, 5-2 vs. Top 10) - I'll admit it: I'm in love wit ASU-commit Jahii Carson (on the left). He's just 5'10, but he leads the state in scoring (31 points/game). Mesa has played a tough schedule and has steamrolled their Fiesta Region competition, which is considered the best in the state.

2. North *(23-4, 3-2 vs. Top 10) - North is the two-time defending champions and they've defeated No. 1 Mesa this year, but I still have the Mustangs at the second position. Led by Alan Williams in the post with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks a game. Still, North has two head-scratching losses to Central. Have won 14 consecutive games.

3. Mesa Mountain View (23-3, 3-2 vs. Top 10) - The Toros have quietly strung together an impressive season. Beat No. 6 Buena, No. 4 Corona Del Sol, and No. 9 Chavez.

4. Corona Del Sol *(21-5, 3-2 vs. Top 10) - There hasn't been a lot of hype surrounding the Aztecs outside of Calean Robinson, but they've played solid basketball all season long. Center Andrus Peat is generating buzz in recruiting for football as an offensive tackle.

5. Brophy Prep *(18-7, 2-5 vs. Top 10) - Brophy has been on an even-keel all season; they haven't lost back-to-back games and they are 18-3 vs. anyone outside the top 5. Center Sai Tummala leads team with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks a game; Tummala can also shoot from downtown. The Broncos look to get past the first round for the first time in a while.Their rival St. Mary's missed the playoffs.

6. Buena (22-5, 2-2 vs. Top 10) - this Buena bunch is located close to the Mexican border, but is going to hold home court throughout the playoffs based off an 18-0 power rankings record. Because they are isolated from society, Buena only had to play two 5A-I schools (Tucson and Salpointe Catholic), while whipping up on the schools of lower classifications. They've won 13 games in a row, but struggled in a tournament vs. 5A-I competition over winter break.

7. Mountain Pointe (20-6, 1-1 vs. Top 10) - The Pride have caught steam before the playoffs, capturing victories in 13 of their last 14 games. They've whipped up on the 5A-II league during their streak. Led by center Tylor Wimbish and guard Jerome Garrison, each averaging 18 points a game.

8. Salpointe Catholic *(21-6, 2-3 vs. Top 10) - The Lancers are similar to Buena in that they are forced to beat up on lower division schools because of their Tucson location. The only difference is that Salpointe Catholic lost twice to Buena and looked offensively- challenged when they came to Brophy.

9. Cesar Chavez (22-5, 0-2 vs. Top 10) - After peaking to No. 2 in The Arizona Republic's power rankings, No. 3 Mountain View blew out the champions (that's really their team name.) Chavez has an up-tempo offense scoring 75 points a game (highest on this top-10 list.)

10. Desert Vista* (20-8, 4-4 vs. Top 10) - After winning 13 of 14 games earlier in the season, the Thunder appear to be fading, losing five of their last 11, including blowout defeats to Brophy Prep and Corona Del Sol. Forward Danny Powell carries the team with 20 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Desert Vista players Jeff Lowery and Danny Powell

* = Seen play

First Round Playoff Matchups (based on power points)

Formula is .45(wins) + .50(opponents wins) + .05(opponents opponents wins)

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Games Played

All Games played at the higher seed Wednesday Feb. 23 at 7PM

No. 1 Buena vs. No. 16 Kofa

No. 2 Mesa vs. No. 15 Tucson

No .3 North vs. No. 14 Red Mountain

No. 4 Mountain View vs. No. 13 Mesquite

No. 5 Corona Del Sol vs No. 12 Desert Ridge

No. 6 Brophy vs. No. 11 Cesar Chavez

No. 7 Mountain Pointe vs. No. 10 Hamilton

No. 8 Salpointe Catholic vs. No. 9 Desert Vista