4A boys state tournament capsules
How they advanced: Beat Liberty 57-56 in the Sunrise Region title game. Defeated Coronado 81-51 in the quarterfinals and Desert Pines 92-90 in overtime in the semifinals.
Probable starters: G Mitrell Clark (5-10, Sr.); G Tone Gatewood (5-10, Sr.); F Charles White (6-2, Sr.); F Bobby Webb (6-4, Sr.); F Marcus Moreland (6-3, Sr.)
Key players: Clark is nearly impossible to stop as evidenced by his 51-point effort in the Sunrise semifinals against Desert Pines. He scored 94 points in three playoff games.
How they advanced: Defeated Sunrise runner-up Liberty 68-63 in the 4A state play-in game. Lost 60-55 to Bishop Gorman in the Sunset title game. Beat Western 64-47 in the quarterfinals and Durango 88-62 in the semifinals.
Probable starters: G D.J. Stennis (5-11, Sr.); G Davion Pearson (5-10, Jr.); F Moses Morgan (6-5, Jr.); F Liloa Nobriga (6-4, Sr.); C Andrew Topham (6-4, Jr.)
Key player: Morgan is the team’s leading scorer, but Stennis controls the game for the Panthers. Few high school players see the floor as well as Stennis, and when he’s on, Palo Verde plays well.
How they advanced: Beat Palo Verde 60-55 for the Sunset Region title. Defeated Centennial 74-56 in the quarterfinals and Cheyenne 70-68 in the semifinals.
Probable starters: G Johnathan Loyd (5-9, Jr.); G Czar Robotham (5-11, Sr.); G Kylel Coleman (6-0, Sr.); F Anson Winder (6-3, Jr.); F Alex Turner (6-2, Jr.)
Key player: Loyd was the Southwest League MVP, and is Gorman’s go-to player. The junior must take care of the ball, but his speed and quickness can help the Gaels push the tempo.
How they advanced: Defeated defending state champion Reno 49-47 in for the Northern Region title. Defeated Galena 66-56 in the quarterfinals and Bishop Manogue 73-70 in the semifinals.
Probable starters: G Duke Williams (6-0, Sr.); G Vidal Smith (5-10, Sr.); G Brian Bennett (5-11, Sr.); F Courtney Gardner (6-3, Sr.): F Tre Johnson (6-6, Sr.)
Key player: Williams leads the Hawks in scoring at 17.7 per game, and he’s been clutch in the playoffs. Williams knocked down the game-winning shot in each of Hug’s last two games.
