The last three years, the boys’ basketball ground at Phoenix St. Mary’s has not been as fertile as it was in previous seasons.

Long-time coach David Lopez struggled in his last two seasons. Then Ty Amundsen took over last year and finished 8-17.

But that period of frustration might be ready to come to an end. There is strong evidence that basketball is starting to sprout again.

The Knights are showing promise in the 7^th Annual Best in Basketball Summer Invitational at Gilbert Highland. The three-day event wraps up on Saturday (June 29) with games beginning at 9 a.m. and running all the way through 8 p.m.

St. Mary’s played twice on Friday (June 28). The Knights fell in overtime to a talented, athletic team from Phoenix Sunnyslope, then came back to defeat Anthem Boulder Creek.

St. Mary’s has played nearly four dozen games in June and has come a long way in that time, according to Amundsen.

“We’ve learned a lot this month. It’s a tribute to our players,’’ Amundsen said. “From the first day of summer to where we are now, the difference has been amazing when you talk about the players’ experience in general, getting to know each other and knowing me and my system.’’

The Knights will have six to eight incoming freshmen, Amundsen said. Two of the more impressive players are Caleb Simmons and Abel Navarrette. Other underclassmen expected to play key roles are George James, Jon Rivera and Deandre Rufus.

Simmons, who has added nearly three inches to his frame in the last year and now is close to 6-feet-4, has a brother, Desmond, who plays at the University of Washington.

Simmons, James and Rufus work well together in the backcourt. Navarrette adds some strength inside and Rivera appears to be versatile enough to work inside or outside, with a good long-range shooting touch.

Amundsen said his players are athletic, can play pressure defense and attack on offense with the dribble-drive.

And the coach is hopeful that he will have two key returnees ready to go in 2013-14.

They are 6-6 senior Obie McKenzie and 6-5 Austin Escobedo. Both are healing after suffering a broken leg, Amundsen said.

“We’re very young, but we’re excited about our potential,’’ Amundsen said.

Note

Sunnyslope’s 6-7 post man, Michael Humphrey, is sidelined for a few weeks with what coach Ray Portela says is a “cracked knuckle’’ in one of the toes on his left foot. Humphrey was wearing a boot on the foot . . .