Perry guard’s recruiting stock on the rise
The rows of seats for college coaches at State Farm Stadium were all filled by the time Perry senior Cody Williams stepped on Court 4 for the Fiesta Bowl Section 7.
Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Arizona State’s Bobby Hurley and UCLA’s Mick Cronin were among the coaches watching.
Even though his team lost to Utah’s Corner Canyon 73-59, Williams didn’t disappoint.
The 6-foot-8 Williams, who can play all five positions and has been the lead guard since Perry’s rise to the 6A championship last season, made it look effortless, hitting 3-pointers, making passes to teammates for easier shots as he got double-teamed, grabbing rebounds and dissecting the defense.
Afterward, a flock of reporters surrounded Williams, whose recruiting has skyrocketed since leading the Pumas to their first state championship.
“I’m trying to put together my visits right now,” Williams said. “Once I have those scheduled, I’ll have a top five or top 10.”
With 6-8 sophomore Koa Peat not playing (he was there to support but on Saturday headed to Colorado Springs to compete in the USA Basketball U17 training camp), Corner Canyon was able to emphasize defensive coverage on Williams.
But that didn’t deter Williams, who showed in his first game that he is among the top recruits in the 229-team, 12-state field at Section 7.
“I thought Cody was outstanding,” coach Sam Duane Jr., said. “He showed he’s legit. The other guys are learning. This is awesome for us.”
USC and LSU are among those who have offered Williams. Williams said he has been in contact with Arizona.
Duane coached Williams’ older brother, Jalen, at Perry. Jalen was underrecruited in high school, finally landing a scholarship to Santa Clara where he built himself up with upper body strength and showed he wasn’t just a scorer.
Now Jalen Williams will be among 20 invitees to the NBA Draft headquarters this coming week.
“He is high major,” Duane said of Cody. “He showed that he’s a high major player.
“Cody made some really nice passes today. Really, at 6-8, he’s a point guard. He was solid.”
Phoenix Mountain Pointe 6-4 senior guard Tru Washington was already a high major recruit coming into the Section 7. On Friday, he elevated his game in a rout of Mount Si out of California in the Fiesta Bowl bracket.
Washington was slicing through the lane for baskets. He was filling it up from outside. He was making pinpoint passes for assists. He was ripping down rebounds. He was making steals. He completely took over the game with the help from guard Mark Brown and 6-8 Kevin Patton Jr.
Guards Braeden Speed and Connor Fitzgerald were top scorers for Phoenix Brophy Prep in its 54-48 in over Salesian College Prep in the Mayo Clinic bracket. But it was 6-7 wing Arman Madi’s defense against 6-8 Tyler Harris that keyed the win.
Madi’s recruiting stock rose, along with Speed.
“I’m used to playing against big guys,” Madi said. “Those guys get physical. I just had to rebound the ball.”
Madi gave up some of his offense to focus on defense. Whatever it takes to win.
“It was a good one,” Madi said. “We’ve got a new group. We came out strong in the beginning. We got our jitters out of the way. I felt after that first bucket, as a team, we really got going.”
Phoenix St. Mary’s has replenished its roster around 6-2 junior point guard Styles Phipps, who got big help in the Knights’ 56-52 win over ‘Iolani out of Hawaii. Notably, transfer Justin Daniels, a 6-5 guard, whose brother is former UConn player DeAndre Daniels, who was part of the Huskies’ 2014 national championship team.
Justin Daniels came from Denver Prep. His abilities to shoot from outside and score inside will take a lot of pressure off of Phipps next season. This will be a fast, athletic St. Mary’s team that will have a chance to win the 32-team Open Division next season.
“Every year we’re looking to get better,” Phipps said.
Scottsdale Christian won its first game easily, beating Bonanza/ATP 6037 on Friday night but lost to Highland (New Mexico) 62-50 on Saturday morning.
The defending 2A champion Eagles are without 6-4, 190-pound freshman Elijah Williams, the son of Suns coach Monty Williams, because he tweaked his back in a tournament last weekend. Coach John Anderson decided to not risk further injury and won’t play him in the showcase.
The school’s other talented incoming freshman, 6-4 Jacob Webber, had 32 points in his debut, making five 3-pointers. He scored at all levels.
Michael Fann had a strong game, breaking double teams and backcourt pressure all night. And Hunter Wales protected the rim, finishing with double-digit rebounds.
Scottsdale Desert Mountain unleased the 6-foot-2 House twins, Kaden and Kalek, in its 68-57 win over Rock Canyon on Friday. They’ll have an instant impact for the Wolves, who have Mike Bibby’s son, Michael Bibby, on the Desert Mountain bench, helping coach.
Michael are the House twins’ cousin. He also played at Phoenix Shadow Mountain as a senior when Jaelen House was a freshman. Jaelen is the older brother of Kaden and Kalek.
The twins are much like Jaelen on the court. They have long arms, play loose, fast, efficient, disrupt passing lanes and can fill it up.
Mike Bibby, the former Arizona and NBA player who built Shadow Mountain’s dynasty when Jaelen House was there, watched along the baseline along with Eddie House, the former Arizona State star, who is the twins’ father.