As the 2024-2025 basketball season heads into the final stretch, Carl Hayden Community and Willow Canyon have both established themselves as powerhouse teams in Arizona, each with impressive records and standout performances. Let’s break down the head-to-head comparison, team stats, and individual leaders of these two strong squads.

Overall Records and Performance

Carl Hayden Community finished the season with a strong 20-7 overall record, with a dominant 11-1 performance in their region. Their home court advantage was solid with a 9-1 record, but they faced more challenges on the road with a 3-4 record in neutral site games. The team’s overall win percentage stands at .741, and their regional win percentage is even more impressive at .917.

On the other hand, Willow Canyon boasts an even better record, with a 22-4 overall mark and a 9-1 regional record. Their home performance was equally strong with an 8-1 record, and they were nearly perfect in neutral games, going 6-2 overall. Their win percentage of .846 and regional percentage of .900 reflect their consistent dominance throughout the season.

Scoring and Team Stat Comparison

When it comes to team scoring averages, Willow Canyon edges out Carl Hayden Community, averaging 72.7 points per game compared to 68.4 for Carl Hayden. The difference is largely driven by a powerful fourth-quarter performance, where Willow Canyon averaged 20.0 points, while Carl Hayden averaged 15.5 points in the final period.

In terms of rebounds, the two teams are almost identical, with Carl Hayden averaging 33.9 per game and Willow Canyon slightly behind at 33.0. When it comes to assists and steals, Willow Canyon is again slightly ahead, averaging 18.3 assists and 16.7 steals compared to Carl Hayden’s 16.0 assists and 13.8 steals.

In terms of defense, Willow Canyon is the more imposing team with 5.6 blocks per game, significantly higher than Carl Hayden’s 2.6.

Key Players

Each team has standout players who drive their success. Carl Hayden Community is led by Tion Wright, who averages an impressive 14.6 points per game, contributing significantly to the team’s scoring. Wright is also a defensive force, averaging 3.0 steals per game. Meanwhile, Prince Cash contributes 6.1 rebounds per game, and Joseph Lindsay Jr. dishes out 5.1 assists per game.

For Willow Canyon, Maurice Carter II is their top scorer, averaging 18.4 points per game and leading the team in steals with 3.0 per game. Kaleel Kelly is a dominant presence on the boards, pulling down 5.9 rebounds per game, while Daniel Garza leads in assists with 4.8 per game.

Head-to-Head with Common Opponents

Both teams had a solid showing against common opponents. Carl Hayden Community went 3-0 against common rivals such as North Canyon, Sunrise Mountain, and Cienega. Willow Canyon, on the other hand, managed a perfect 4-0 against these same opponents. Both teams were victorious over Sunrise Mountain and Cienega, although Willow Canyon posted more convincing wins, including a 76-49 victory over North Canyon and a 70-54 win against Sunrise Mountain.

Playoff Outlook

As the teams move toward the playoffs, Carl Hayden Community and Willow Canyon will look to continue their strong performances. Carl Hayden has a 2-0 record in out-of-state games, while Willow Canyon has a 2-1 record. Their consistent regional success and dominance over common opponents make both teams formidable contenders in the postseason.

Conclusion

As the 2024-2025 season wraps up, Carl Hayden Community and Willow Canyon have proven themselves to be two of the top teams in Arizona high school basketball. With both teams boasting strong records, balanced rosters, and high-scoring offenses, the upcoming playoff matchups are sure to provide intense competition. Whether it’s Carl Hayden’s balanced play or Willow Canyon’s explosive scoring, both teams are ready to make their mark in the state and beyond.