PRESCOTT VALLEY — When Cain Atkinson took the job at Bradshaw Mountain a season ago, his expectations of the boys basketball team were sky high.

Little did anyone know, however, that the Bears would actually meet and exceed those expectations by winning 24 games, claiming a Grand Canyon region title and making it to the 4A state final four.

Bradshaw Mountain lost 67-53 to eventual state champ Peoria, but the tone had been set for a program ready to make another run in 2023-24.

“The 2022-23 season was a lot of fun. We still have the same expectations, and we want to be a tough basketball team and hopefully win a lot of games,” Atkinson told AzPreps365.com via email Nov. 27.

Top returners include leading scorer Mason Hunt, who is a senior this year looking to improve on his 13.3 points and five rebounds per game from a season ago.

Other notable returners include Mauricio Holguin, Shaun Strouder and Mason Brambila.

“Our strengths are we are always going to be prepared and we will always have a great idea about what teams will try and do against us, and we will always have a game plan to give us a great opportunity to be successful,” Atkinson said.

For schedule, click here.

4A BOYS: PRESCOTT BADGERS

PRESCOTT — Like their cross-town rival, Bradshaw Mountain, the Badgers made the Open State Championship only to lose in round one, but that took nothing away from an outstanding 2022-23 campaign.

Prescott tied with Bradshaw Mountain at 11-1 for the Grand Canyon region crown, falling short only due to power point ranking as the two split the season series, 1-1.

The Badgers, 21-game winners a season ago, beat Salpointe Catholic in the 4A state tournament, 61-54, before losing to No. 5 Mesquite, 78-61.

“Last year’s group had great chemistry and some real depth along with a very high level top end. This year’s group, on paper, is quite similar in that sense. The big difference is, our depth doesn’t have the experience yet,” Prescott head coach Travis Stedman said.

Returning is the junior dynamic duo of Uriah Tenette and Zane Gaul. Tenette averaged 23.3 points, 3.6 steals and five rebounds per game as a sophomore, while the 6-foot-10 center Gual nearly averaged a double-double at 13.8 points and nine rebounds.

Prescott opened the season with three wins at the Thanksgiving Tournament in Mesa, and host Mountain Ridge in their first power point game Friday, Dec. 1.

“A good start to the season versus some real solid competition at the ‘Fear the Hop’ tournament in Mesa has helped build that experience and confidence,” Stedman added.

For schedule, click here.

3A BOYS: PAGE SAND DEVILS

PAGE — Building on past success, Page head coach Justin Smith believes his club is ready to take the next step.

Finishing second to only Monument Valley in the 3A North region a season agon, the Sand Devils won 18 games and earned a 42-40 victory over No. 19-ranked Blue Ridge in the first round of the 3A state tournament back in February.

Page gave No. 3 Coolidge a game in the tournament quarterfinals, but fell 60-44.

“We would like to keep building on what we started last year,” Smith said. “Improve every game and compete every game.”

Top returners include Tyree Stingley, who averaged 17.6 points and eight rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2022-23. Joseph Benally, Maxmus Reid, Jackson Smith and Bryce Williams join him.

For schedule, click here.

3A GIRLS: ALCHESAY FALCONS

WHITERIVER — The back-to-back defending 3A champ Falcons are hoping to make another run at a title in 2023-24, with Jazlyn Nosie, Ramona Gregg and Kamryn Nachu returning to the lineup.

Nosie led Alchesay with 16.5 points per game as a sophomore.

“Our strengths are experience and a great fan base,” Alchesay head coach Rick Sanchez said. “Weaknesses, we are relatively young and haven’t played a lot together.”

The Falcons (24 wins a season ago) will have a two top newcomers to watch in 2023-24, including Keturah Sprengeler and Leah Massey, an ALA transfer.

For schedule, click here.

3A GIRLS: CAMP VERDE COWBOYS

CAMP VERDE — Longtime head coach Mark Showers hasn’t led too many clubs during his tenure that struggled, but a 6-20 finish for the Cowboys a season ago would certainly count as one of them.

Showers is highly optimistic for 2023-24, however, expecting to compete in the 3A Central region for a chance at state this winter.

“The team seems to be much improved,” Showers said.

Top returners include Marisol Sala-Zorilla, Paige Oothoudt, Wasiiva Lewis and Alyssa Wheeler, while Camp Verde welcomes Sedona transfer Rachel Roderick, a 6-foot-3 center.

For schedule, click here.

2A BOYS: ROUND VALLEY ELKS

EAGER — Having won 19 games, including a perfect 12-0 in 2A North region play for a title, Round Valley is looking to build on their accomplishments this winter after a first-round 59-41 loss to Rancho Solano Prep in the 2A state playoffs a season ago.

The Elks lost six seniors to graduation, but retain Ryker Marble, Brett Jordan and Brody Ziegler in 2023-24.

“We have some young talent coming up and have finally changed the middle school program through the high school program to one system,” Round Valley head coach Adam Poston said. “We believe this will really help our program continue to get better over the next few years.”

Round Valley is 4-2 to begin the year, and have won both power point games to start the season.

For schedule, click here.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on Twitter @AzPreps365Brian. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.