Power Rankings 6A-4A Midseason Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are about half way through the season so it is time to update our Q1 power rankings. We have seen a lot of the teams we thought would be good continue on that trend, but we also have a few surprises and some teams that have real caught our attention in the first half of the season! Season is really heating up with region play going on!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are the updated rankings as we see it, the (ranked for the Q1 update) are where they were in our Q1 update!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Side note: I am only really looking at powerpoint games here and records in those match ups. Tournaments are nice and all, but sometimes kids are missing for SAT, or homecoming, or some coaches play everyone, the vibe is different in a tournament over playing in a weekday powerpoint game. I want to know who is winning when it actually counts in the power point rankings for playoffs. However, I do look at tournament scores and take mental notes.. don't worry! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ironwood Ridge (2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mica Mountain (9)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>ALA QC (1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cactus (4)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Thunderbird (7)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>ALA West Foothils (5) </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>ALA Gilbert North (8)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Saguaro (6)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Arcadia (NR)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Eastmark (10)<br><br>I am all over the place with this conference. Each time I think I get a handle on where I see these teams, another team shows up and beats them or gives them a run for their money. I feel pretty good about the top 4, those 4 have played top level teams, have won against top level teams, and have the top end talent to make a deep playoff run. Thunderbird is an interesting case, they should finish the season undefeated but won't have any wins against top 10 teams in powerpoints as they head into playoffs. We would love to see how they compete against the other top 10 teams in 4A but will have to wait till playoffs to see it. The rest of the top 10 all have some high end talent, but haven't got over the hump with winning consistently against top 10 teams. They all have that talent to make their own run if they get hot as we head to the end of region play and into playoffs. <br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Notre Dame Prep (1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Chaparral (2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Horizon (3)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Ironwood (5)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Verrado (4) </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Salpointe (6)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Willow Canyon (10)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Canyon Del Oro (8)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sunrise Mountain (7)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Centennial (9)<br><br>5A hasn't changed a whole lot, I think the top 3 are still the top 3. They are all currently in the same region and have all played each other, and all have beat one of the three and lost to one of the three. It is any given night with those 3 teams and who will come out on top. After that, Ironwood has played a ton of tough teams, and has some quality wins. Their schedule is tough and I think that will pay some dividends come playoff time. Willow Canyon has done well with their schedule and has multiple ranked wins to this point. Verrado is undefeated in power point matches but their strength of schedule isn't the highest so we will need to see some wins against those teams before moving them up. We will see this weekend at the Rise and Roar and how they really shape up. Centennial and Sunrise are both top level teams that have tough schedules this season, that could cause a scare into some of the teams above them. <br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6A</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Sandra Day O'Connor (2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Liberty (4)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Perry (3)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Xavier Prep (1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Casteel (5)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pinnacle (6)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li> Highland (8)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Hamilton (10)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Desert Vista (NR)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Westwood (NR)<br><br><br>Now 6A I think is starting to get some space when it comes to these teams. I think the top 4 are pretty well set. You have two undefeated teams in Liberty and Perry, and then Sandra Day and Xavier are both high level teams that just have too much talent to not be in the conversation. I think there is a little gap after those 4 to the rest of the top 10 (and beyond). I see 5-8 all as teams who on the right day, can compete and hang with those 4. Some have even taken wins from them (we see you Pinnacle) but all 4 of those teams have some consistency issues, and sometimes go a bit cold. However, they all contain high level talent that on the right day could give those 4 fits. I would like to welcome two new teams to the rankings, Desert Vista and Westwood both have done extremely well this season and have a chance to shock some teams come playoff time. <br><br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The school season is just getting started, and we can't wait to continue following Arizona athletes and programs throughout the fall! Make sure your <strong>Prep Dig profile is updated</strong> with your current school, position, height, graduation year, and any other important information so our scouts have the most accurate information when evaluating and writing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want to stay on our radar this season? <strong>Tag us in your highlights, match schedules, big performances, milestones, and anything else you want us to see.</strong> We want to know where you're playing and how your season is going!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to follow <strong>Prep Dig Arizona and our Arizona scouts on Instagram</strong> for even more coverage:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigarizona/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">@PrepDigArizona</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/coachmarissamorah/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">@CoachMarissaMorah</a><br><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdiganthony/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">@PrepDigAnthony</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep working, keep competing, and <strong>keep us updated throughout the school season.</strong> We can't wait to see who makes their mark this fall!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Want to get on our radar? Register for our upcoming Exposure tour <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/e/2499/register/prep-dig-exposure-tour-arizona">here.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->