Maricopa High School's starting 5 (from left) Johnny Johnson Jr., Isaac Carlyle, Josh Johnson, Isaiah Pedro and Tommy Jensen. Photo by William Lange

The Maricopa High School boys’ basketball team has high expectations as they return eight players from last season and move into a new division.

The Rams will be moving from Arizona Interscholastic Association Division II to Division III for the 2015-16 season. The drop won’t eliminate the level of competition, though. Five of the teams within Division III Section V made the playoffs last year, including the 2015 AIA Sate Runner-Up, Combs High School, and the number one overall seed in the 2015 AIA State Playoffs, Blue Ridge High School.

“We have moved to a new section and my expectations for us are to compete at a high level and be one of the top teams in our section,” MHS boys’ basketball head coach Jacob Neill said. “One of our goals is to qualify for the sectional tournament in which the top six teams in our section qualify. There are a lot of quality teams in our section, but I truly believe that we can compete for those top spots with this team.”

If the Rams qualify for the sectional tournament, they will have a shot at qualifying for the state tournament if they haven’t done so already.

“I am excited about the upcoming season because we return eight players from the varsity roster from the 14-15 team, including our top 4 scorers,” Neill said.

The team’s experience will be crucial to navigate through a tough schedule this season, which includes three trips to Yuma, a trip to Show Low and a season finale against defending State Runner-Up Combs on the road.

Seniors Johnny Johnson Jr. and Isaiah Pedro were two of the team’s top scorers last year, and their leadership will be key for the Rams this season. Sophomore Josh Johnson will look to pick up where he left off in his breakout freshman season last year, and seniors Jalen Lee, Isaac Carlyle, Donald Grace, Tommy Jenson and Isaiah Soriano will look to provide experience and leadership throughout the season.

Sibling rivalry? Senior Johnny Johnson Jr. (left) and sophomore Josh Johnson were the team's leading scorers last year. Photo by William Lange
Sibling rivalry? Senior Johnny Johnson Jr. (left) and sophomore Josh Johnson were the team’s leading scorers last year. Photo by William Lange

“We have a lot of experience and quite a few seniors on our team this year,” Neill said. “I am hoping that a couple of those seniors are able to step into a leadership role on this team.”

Maricopa will start the season by competing in Independence High School’s third annual Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament at Independence High School in Glendale Nov. 23-28. The Rams will then return to Maricopa for their home opener on Tuesday, Dec. 1, against Apache Junction at 7 p.m.

Schedule:
Nov. 18     5 p.m.     (A)     Willow Canyon (Surprise) (Scrim.)
Nov. 23     TBA     (A)     Centennial – IHS Tournament
Nov. 24     5:30 p.m.     (A)     Alhambra – IHS Tournament
Nov. 25     6:30 p.m.    (A)     Willow Canyon – IHS Tournament
Dec. 1     7 p.m.     (H)     Apache Junction
Dec. 3     7 p.m.    (A)     Westwood (Mesa)
Dec. 4     7 p.m.    (H)     Casa Grande Union
Dec. 8     7 p.m.    (A)     Kofa (Yuma)
Dec. 11     7 p.m.    (A)     Cibola (Yuma)
Dec. 16     7 p.m.    (A)     Yuma
Dec. 17     7 p.m.    (H)     Dysart (El Mirage)
Jan. 5     7 p.m.    (H)     Youngker (Buckeye)
Jan. 7     7 p.m.    (A)     Show Low
Jan. 11     7 p.m.    (H)     North (Phoenix Union)
Jan. 12     7 p.m.    (H)     Blue Ridge (Pinetop/Lakeside)
Jan. 14     7 p.m.    (H)     Payson
Jan. 19     7 p.m.    (A)     Scottsdale Preparatory Academy
Jan. 21     7 p.m.    (H)     Veritas Preparatory Academy (Phoenix)
Jan. 27     7 p.m.    (A)     Scottsdale Christian Academy
Jan. 29     7 p.m.    (H)     Valley Christian (Chandler)
Feb. 3     7 p.m.    (H)     Poston Butte (San Tan Valley)
Feb. 5     7 p.m.    (A)     Combs (San Tan Valley)

Maricopa High School 2015-16 boys' basketball varsity team. Photo by William Lange
Maricopa High School 2015-16 boys’ basketball varsity team. Photo by William Lange