Twelve Arizona teams and four out of state teams will participate in the 2007 Arizona Basketball Challenge. Below is a brief description of the teams. More information including rosters and photos will be available as we get closer to the tournament.

MESA MOUNTAIN VIEW: Head Coach Gary Ernst
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #14 - State #1
2006-2007 Record: 28-4, Co-Region Champs, State Champs (3-peat)
Returns only one starter from last years state championship squad, but he is a good one in Brendan Lavender, a 6'4" shooting guard who has committed to play for Coach Lute Olsen and the Arizona Wildcats. Help should come from 6'5" post player Tyson Ellsworth and Sophomore Jordan McLelland. The JV team went 11-7.

MESA DOBSON: Head Coach Rick McConnell
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #237 State #4
2006-2007 Record: 23-7
Co-region champs in 2007 and a JV team that went 16-2, the young Mustangs will reload for 2007-2008. Led by second team 6' shooting guard and all-region performer Ian Wallace and point guard Pat Wolf, Coach McConnell will blend a number of returning players to an outstanding group of newcomers. Since 2000, Dobson has made the state playoffs every year and been to the final four twice.

MESA RED MOUNTAIN: Head Coach Greg Sessions
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: # 2389 State #26
2006-2007 Record: 14-13
The Mountain Lions look to be a top contender for 2007-2008 led by first team all-region forward Deonte Roberts (16.4 ppg, 13.8 rpg). A number of returning players along with members of a 14-4 JV team are reason for optimism. Red Mtn., Dobson, and Mtn. View are all members of the East Valley Region. This region has produced the last four state team champions and had 3 of the 5 members of last years all-state team.

SAN DIEGO HORIZON CHRISTIAN:
Head Coach Waheed Mitchell.
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #387 State #44
2006-2007 Record: 24-7
School Web Page
Owner of dozens of conference and section championships (6 straight) and 3 of the last 6 state championships, the last in 2006. returns two veteran players who last year combined for 30 points and 200 rebs. per game. Jeff Withey is a 7ft. center who averaged 20 points, 10 rebs. and 8 blocks as a junior. Withey has verbally committed to U of A. Richard Walker is a 6'6" senior who averaged 10 points and 10 rebs. last year and is looking to have a breakout season in 07-08. The Panthers also return 3 varsity letterman that played impact minutes last year. Freshman Tyler Cross and sophomore Devyn Iglehart will also play major roles this year.

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS: Head Coach Barry Egan
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #749 State #45
2006-2007 Record: 17-6
School Web Page
The Tigers return 3 starters from last years squad, led by 6'6" Travis Kelce who has verbally committedto the University of Cincinnati for both football(QB) and basketball (17.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg), 6'3" point guard Sir Christian Williams (10.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.1 apg), and 5'11" shooting guard Chuck Turnbo. Quines Teer, a 6'6" senior (9.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg) will also contribute.

CINCINNATI TAFT: Head Coach: Mark Mitchell
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #785 State #50
2006-2007 Record: 15-7
School Web Page
Sectional champs in 2007, the Senators return 6'3" Courtney Davis (17.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 steals pg) ranked as the #3 wing in Ohio, 6'4" Angelo Benton (16.84 ppg, 14 rpg) ranked as the #7 wing player in Ohio. Point guard Quavis Mckinney averaged 9 assists per game and is ranked as the #5 point guard in Ohio. A talented group of underclassmen will contribute significantly to the team this year.

PROVO, UTAH: Head Coach Craig Drury
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #569 State #6
2006-2007 Record: 14-10
School Web Page
The most successful boys basketball program in Utah state history with 16 state championships (including 2007) since 1941. Seven seniors return from last years championship squad. Returning guards include 6'3" Scott Edward (Sr.), along with Adam Law (Sr.), Kyle Collinsworth (Soph.)and Clark Thorton (Sr.). Provo traditionally has a strong group of post players with this years team no different featuring 6'8" Brandon Davies (Jr.), Chris Sorensen (Sr.), Kyson Koop (Sr.), William Isom (Sr.), and Christian Foerster (Sr.). last years JV team finished 15-4

PHOENIX NORTH: Head Coach Joseph Bustos
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #3080 State #36
2006-2007 Record: 16-14
School Web Page
Returning the entire starting line up from last year in which the Mustangs made it to the 5A-DII Final Four. The North Mustangs look to be a top contender for 2007-2008 led by Co-Metro Region Player of the Year and 2nd team All-State 6'5" sophomore wing Daniel Bejarano. Help will come in the form of Honorable Mention Metro Region players' 6'2" sophomore shooting guard Robert Arvizu, 6'5" sophomore forward Shabaz Lewis and 5'6" junior point guard Chris Chariez.

CHANDLER HAMILTON: Head Coach Kevin Hartwig
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: # 396 State #6
2006-2007 Record:25-5
School Web Page
The Huskies return two starters from last seasons squad that won the Fiesta Region title and finished 25-5. Led by 6'3" senior John Jackson and 6'6" senior Ryan Evans, the Huskies will blend returning letterman with a group of newcomers off a 14-6 JV squad. Seniors Justin Peters and David Henderson played significant minutes last season and will contributethis year.

GILBERT HIGHLAND: Head Coach Mark Carlino
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #5530 State #59
2006-2007 Record:11-18
School Web Page
Mark Carlino takes over the head coaching duties at Highland High School with some great expectations. The Hawks return Josh James a 6'3" shooter and an influx of new talent. Transfer Nick Witherall - headed for Washington State - and incoming freshmen Matt Carlino and Nick Johnson will provide depth and athleticism for the Hawks.

LAVEEN CESAR CHAVEZ: Head Coach Gary Lee
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #936 State #11
2006-2007 Record: 24-6
School Web Page
Laveen Cesar Chavez is ready for the 2007-2008 basketball season to follow up their success from last year. Head Coach Gary Lee and his squad were 5A-I Metro Region champions (11-1), finished with 24 wins, and lost in the quarterfinals of the state tournament to eventual state champion, Mesa Mountain View.
After a strong showing at the ASU team camp in the summer, the Champions will look to 5-9 senior P.J. Neal, 6-4 senior Kaylim Noel, and 6-6 junior Marques Edwards for leadership. In all, five players return from last year's team with extensive game and playoff experience.

TUCSON HIGH: Head Coach Gary Lewis
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #1572 State #17
2006-2007 Record: 20-10
School Web Page

Coach Gary Lewis welcomes back eight seniors, seven of which started at one point last season. This years team is led by returning all-region performers RogerCastro (6'1") and Brian Hill (6'3"). The Badgers look to defend the 5A Southern Region with an up-tempo style of play on both offense and defense.

PHOENIX PINNACLE: Head Coach Charlie Wilde
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #919 State #10
2006-2007 Record: 23-8
School Web Page
A 1-point loss in the Class 4A, Division I semifinals to eventual champion Glendale Apollo has Pinnacle hungry for the season to begin.
Pinnacle looks to All-State forward Taylor Rohde, committed to Arizona State, who averaged 22 points and 10 rebounds per game last season and has led them in both those categories since his sophomore season.
Junior point guard Nuno Muandumba, a native of Angola, is back with his 6.5 assists and 12.5 points per game to provide Pinnacle with a potent one-two punch.
They'll spread the floor with three-point marksman Max Zemezonak, who shot 45 percent from beyond the arc last season. While Fellow seniors Michael Chou and Xavier Cotton, stepson of Suns assistant coach Jay Humphries, will play a key role in the team's success.

SCOTTSDALE SAGUARO: Head Coach Bob LaRue
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #451 State #7
2006-2007 Record: 24-6
School Web Page

While winning the Desert Sky Region in 2006-2007 with a 24-6 record, the Sabercats were ranked number 1 in the state for the majority of the season. Coach Bob LaRue welcomes back their tri-captains - 6'4" Matt Rhodes, 5'11" Dominick Ruth and 6'4" junior Tyler Tompkins - looking for leadership, statistical balance and team chemistry. The play of juniors 6'6" Jonathon Nelson and 6'4" Steve Morin is equally important for Saguaro and their quest for a state championship.

GLENDALE CACTUS: Head Coach Tom Crane
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #2966 State #35
2006-2007 Record: 18-10
School Web Page
First-year Head Coach Tom Cranes takes over a talented Cobra program that is seeking an elusive state championship. With 6-3 senior point guard Marques Coleman out for the season due to a pre-season injury, look for seniors Niko Sachs (6-2), Cory Myers (6-6, Army football commit), and Caleb Richardson (6-4) to pick up the slack. There's a sense of urgency within the program and each player is committed to working hard in each practice and game.

CHANDLER VALLEY CHRISTIAN: Head Coach Greg Haagsma
2007 Final National CalPreps Rating: #1922 State #20
2006-2007 Record: 34-1
School Web Page

The Trojans have become the dominant program in the 2A Conference for Arizona Basketball having won state titles in 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007. Head Coach Greg Haagsma returns Mr. All-everything in 6'2" guard Nate Van Weelden. Nate recorded his first triple-double earlier in the season.The Trojans hope their experience from big games - state championships - and the 2007 MLK Basketball Classic translate into continued success with the program.