Following one of the most successful high school basketball seasons in recent years, 20 Desert Speed School athletes were recognized for their performance on the court during the 2023-24 season – including a record number of Player of the Year honors. The list is highlighted by 4A runner-up Sahuaro stars Cisco Llamas (Region POY, Offensive POY, Southern AZ Player of the Year) and Nick Ponds (Statewide Defensive POY, 4A Defensive POY), along with Mica Mountain’s Isaiah Berg (Region POY) and Desert Christian sophomore standout Tyson Dobbins (Region Offensive POY, Statewide 1A Offensive POY).
On the girls’ side, Player of the Year honors were garnered by Catalina Foothills guard Clara-Mae Hrouch (Region POY) and Rincon/UHS freshman sensation Leila O’Dowd (Region Offensive POY, Freshman of the Year).
Players recognized for their play during the season include:
Clara-Mae Hrouch, Catalina Foothills – Region Player of the Year, 1st-team Region
Leila O’Dowd, Rincon/UHS – Region Offensive Player of the Year, 1st-team Region, Southern AZ Freshman of the Year
Sabrina Wexler, Rincon/UHS – 1st-team Region
Cisco Llamas, Sahuaro – Region Player of the Year, Region Offensive Player of the Year, Southern Arizona Player of the Year, 1st-team Region, 1st-team State
Isaiah Berg, Mica Mountain – Region Player of the Year, 1st-team Region, 2nd-team State
Nick Ponds, Sahuaro – Region Defensive Player of the Year, 4A State Defensive Player of the Year, 1st-team Region
Tyson Dobbins, Desert Christian – Region Offensive Player of the Year, 1A State Offensive Player of the Year
Sam O’Dowd, Rincon/UHS – 1st-team Southern Arizona
Caden Watkins, Sabino – 1st-team Region, 2nd-team State
Will Dixion, CDO – 1st-team Region
Ben Lambe, PRCA – 1st-team Region
Ayumu Lara, Sahuaro – 2nd-team Region
Jamal Ali, Sahuaro – 2nd-team Region
Ben Head, Gregory School – 2nd-team Region
Jamaal McCraney, Sahuaro – Region Honorable Mention
Nico Salter, Sahuaro – Region Honorable Mention
Teddy Simpson, Sahuaro – Region Honorable Mention
Julian Yazon, Sahuaro – Region Honorable Mention
Mateo Horn, Salpointe – Region Honorable Mention
Eli Clausen, Tanque Verde – Region Honorable Mention
Rocco Haggard, Tanque Verde – Region Honorable Mention
