We continue our 2013-14 team previews with an in-depth look at Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.), a program looking to capture a third consecutive Arizona Division I state title and make some noise nationally. Throughout October, we’ll preview many of the top teams from across the country as a countdown to the release of our preseason 2013-14 Student Sports FAB 50.
Note: All information that follows came from a questionnaire that was sent to and returned by the school’s head coach. If you would like your school to be profiled, please return the questionnaire that was mailed out earlier this month or it can be filled out online.
The information can also be emailed to editor Ronnie Flores: ronnie@studentsports.com. StudentSportsBasketball.com thanks the programs that have submitted information.
Team Name: Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.)
Head Coach: Sam Duane (209-85 at Corona del Sol, 273-134 overall)
2012-13 Record: 29-4, 14-4 (J.V.)
Final Ranking: No. 16 (West Region)
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Lettermen: 8
Players Most Deserving of Preseason Honors: G Casey Benson 6-2 2014 (State Player of the Year, Oregon commit), SF Dane Kuiper 6-7 2015 (New Mexico commit), PF Cassius Peat 6-4 2015, PG Jarrett Givens 6-1 2014.
Newcomers Who Could Make An Impact: SF Dane Kuiper 6-7 2015 (Alaska transfer), C Conner MacDougal 6-10 2014 (Westwind Prep transfer, Arizona State commit).
Coach’s General Outlook: We’ll return eight guys from a state championship team so I like our chances to have another successful season. Our depth is a big strength and not only do we have depth, we have balance which is just as important. We are a talented team, but we can’t get complacent or selfish. With the players we have, I feel we are a top 30 team and if we have MacDougal eligible we could be a top 20 team.
Events Scheduled To Play In: Hoophall West (Phoenix, Ariz.), VisitMesa.com Basketball Challenge (Mesa, Ariz.), New Year’s Desert Classic (Scottsdale, Ariz.).
Team(s) On Schedule Deserving of Ranking: Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.).
StudentSportsBasketball.com Comments: The Aztecs have the talent and experience to warrant a national ranking. They have the state’s best player in Benson and the addition of Kuiper makes them really dangerous because he’s a versatile player. Not only that, playing against the tougher competition Kuiper faces in practice and around the state will only make him — and Corona del Sol — that much better. Peat is a big-time football player and he brings the rebounding and toughness the Aztecs are going to need in their big games. Givins is much improved, and gives Corona Del Sol a good defender and shooter on the perimeter.
Fast Fact: If MacDougal, who previously attended Westwind Prep for half of last season, wins his transfer appeal and is eligible this season Corona del Sol could potentially be one of the better Arizona teams of recent memory. The Aztecs are gunning for their third consecutive AIA D-I state title, but in order to be the highest ranked team ever from the state they’ll need to show well in the three main events they are scheduled to participate in. The highest ranked team ever from the state of Arizona was Mountain View of Mesa in 1997-98. Mountain View (34-1) won the Class 5A state title and finished ranked No. 7 in the nation and No. 1 in the West Region.
Send corrections or comments to ronnie@studentsports.com and be sure to leave a comment that others can check out.
RELATED: FAB 50 Consideration Form
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