Video: Arizona half court buzzer-beater for the win
See Red Mountian's Jacob Ries with the amazing game-winner.
The early portion of a basketball season is often filled with holiday tournaments so it gives coaches a chance to tinker and figure out a solid rotation.
It leaves some wiggle room at this point – at the conclusion of the third week – as to what the team's identity.
Chances are, however, teams have already given a good indication on whether or not it will be a good shooting team.
"You sort of have a feel for it heading into the season," Hamilton girls coach Trevor Neider said. "Once you get going if you were leaning one way or another you probably know now. It can still go south in a hurry or a hot streak could give enough confidence to change it, but pretty soon here you know who are."
Here is a look at some of the top shooting and scoring teams in the state
GirlsShooting percentage (Min. 6 games through Wednesday)
1.
South Mountain (Phoenix) 99 of 149 66 percent
2.
Xavier College Prep (Phoenix) 134 of 250 54 percent
3.
Mesquite (Gilbert) 297 of 561 53 percent
4.
Catalina Foothills (Tucson) 100 of 191 53 percent
5.
Cactus Shadows (Cave Creek) 142 of 315 45 percent
Points per game (Min 5 games through Wednesday)
1. Mesquite (Gilbert) 78.9
2.
Ganado 69.8
2.
Valley Christian (Chandler) 69.8
4.
Arcadia (Phoenix) 69.4
5.
Pueblo (Tucson) 67.6
BoysShooting percentage (Min. 6 games through Wednesday)
1.
Florence 164 of 284 58 percent
2.
Rough Rock (Chinle) 152 of 285 53 percent
3.
Arcadia (Phoenix) 211 of 415 51 percent
4.
Winslow 229 of 454 50 percent
5.
The Gregory School (Tucson) 208 of 425 49 percent
Points per game (Min 5 games through Wednesday)
1.
Horizon (Scottsdale) 89.4
2. The Gregory School (Tucson) 82.0
3.
Apollo (Glendale) 80.4
4.
Antelope (Wellton) 77.8
5. Winslow 77.1
Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic sports writer and current Prep Sports Director for Times Publications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.
