Saguaro freshmen driving basketball program’s rise

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Scottsdale Saguaro boys basketball coach Lucas Ramirez has never been afraid to play freshmen.

Two years ago, two freshmen were part of the rotation on a seven-win team. Last year, on a nine-win team, they showed improvement.

Now they’re competing with three freshmen who have made an impact on a Saguaro team that has started out 11-5.

Freshman guard Nas Hailey leads the Sabercats with 12.6 points a game. Bentley Elrod, another freshman, averages 6.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. And freshman Pierce Harrington is averaging 6.8 points.

Guard Justice Hinds, a junior who started two years ago as a freshman, is second on the team with 10 points a game.

“It really started with Justice’s class,” Ramirez said. “I think with a group of guys that really loved basketball and really cared about the program and just getting better every day and doing the right things every day.

“It starts with a group of kids like that and people recognize and see that we’ve got some talent on the roster that they can work with, play well with together.”

Hailey, Elrod and Harrington all came to Saguaro with extensive AAU experience, playing in the circuits against top talent in the nation. They immediately fit in on the varsity.

“I think we all rely on each other,” Elrod said. “We’re all in this together. We’re brothers. They’ve always had a freshman come in. We’re all relying on each other. And it’s clicking right now.”

Saguaro reached the final of the Desert Holiday Classic in Palm Springs, California, during the Christmas break.

From left to right, junior Justice Hinds, freshman Nas Hailey, coach Lucas Ramirez and freshman Bentley Elrod have the Sabercats off to a strong start of the 2024-25 basketball season.

They gained confidence with each game, building a camaraderie on the road that should serve them well in the second half of the season.

Saguaro lost 58-53 to Gilbert Mesquite at home on Tuesday night, only their third loss this season to an Arizona team in AIA and tournament games.

Confidence isn’t lacking for…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/saguaro-freshmen-driving-basketball-programs-211912395.html

Author : AZCentral | The Arizona Republic

Publish date : 2025-01-08 21:19:00

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