PRESCOTT — Ask fifth year Prescott coach Travis Stedman where he thinks his club can go in 2022-23, and he’ll tell you a Grand Canyon region title and potential final four appearance could be in the cards for the Badgers.

“We have the experience and depth to be successful this year. This team probably has the most chemistry of a team I’ve coached at Prescott. These young men are a real pleasure to coach,” Stedman said.

Prescott finished 17-11 a season ago, losing to No. 6 Mesquite 93-70 in the first round of the state playoffs.

This winter, without playing a game yet, Prescott looks good on paper already.

Sophomore guard Uriah Tenette returns from a stellar freshman campaign that earned him first-team all-region, averaging 15 points, four rebounds and four assists per game a season ago.

“He’s arguably the best player in the conference,” Stedman said.

Then you have Zane Gaul, a 6-foot-10 post player who is also a sophomore this year.

“He is the smartest defensive post I’ve ever coached,” Stedman said. “He keeps his feet and stays vertical on contests and is agile enough to switch out and contain guards on perimeter actions.”

Senior guard Jake Hilton also returns for the Badgers this season. Arguably the most athletic player in the region, Hilton can stretch the defense with his shot making.

“He attacks the basket and finishes everything with a dunk or athletic play,” Stedman said.

The three standouts should make up for the loss of Jason Parent, who averaged 26.6 points per game as a senior last year and signed to play basketball for Northern Arizona University.

Stedman believes the state championship could come down to St. Mary’s, Peoria, Salpointe Catholic and Prescott.

The 2022-23 season gets underway Dec. 2 for the Badgers as they take on Mountain Ridge. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.

The 2022-23 Prescott boys basketball team poses for a photo after practice. Possessing a roster loaded with young talent, the Badgers could make a deep run in the 4A state playoffs come February. (Prescott Athletics/Courtesy)

3A-ROADRUNNERS

HOLBROOK — Having lost only three seniors to graduation, Holbrook appears to be one of the favorites in 2022-23 to compete for a 3A state title.

The Roadrunner club finished 25-5 a season ago, claiming a 3A East title and making it to the final four before losing 67-57 to Coolidge.

Top returners include Noah Brown (14.7 ppg), Brandon Tapaha (12.8 ppg) and Quentin Thomas (12.5 ppg). All three led the Roadrunners in scoring a season ago as juniors, and are all back for their senior campaigns.

3A-WILDCATS

CHINLE — After defeating San Tan Foothills 52-49 in the first round off the 3A state tournament a season ago, Chinle came up just short against Fountain Hills in a dramatic 73-71 loss.

Fountain Hills went on to the final four, losing to eventual state champion Valley Christian, 64-52.

This season, Chinle returns junior forward Jostaiah Harvey, senior shooting guard Delaney Bahe and senior forward Cashin White.

“I feel we will do well in our region and we expect to go deep in the state playoffs,” Chinle head coach Raul Mendoza said, adding the favorites for a state title will be Valley Christian, Coolidge and Holbrook.

Entering his seventh year at Chinle, Mendoza said the 3A North region will be a fight between his club, Monument Valley and Tuba City.

“We have a talented group and are deep at every position on the team,” Mendoza said of his Wildcats, which were 21-9 a season ago.

Chinle (2-0, 0-0 3A North) has started the season with two wins, the first a 67-48 victory over Winslow, then an 89-82 win over Gallup (NM) on Nov. 22.

Up next, the Wildcats are scheduled to host Holbrook on Nov. 29. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

3A-COWBOYS

CAMP VERDE — A 20-win season and No. 3-seeding in the 3A state playoffs had basketball fans talking a season ago about Camp Verde.

The Cowboys beat Payson 81-56 to advance to the state quarterfinals, only to be turned away 63-59 by Holbrook.

Camp Verde lost several seniors to graduation except for 6-foot-4 forward Chito Herrera, who nearly averaged a double-double as a junior with 15 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last season.

Now as a senior, Herrera will likely have to carry the load for head coach Dan Wall’s Cowboys in 2022-23.

Others in the mix for Wall's club include Trey Battise, Christian Sanabria and Caleb Bahe.

"We'll have a chance to compete," Wall said.

The North Central region has newcomer Scottsdale Christian now, to go along with Northwest Christian and Fountain Hills.

"It's a tough region this year," Wall said.

Camp Verde (0-0, 0-0 3A North Central) open the season with a road trip Nov. 29 against Northland Prep. Their home opener is scheduled for Dec. 6 against Winslow. Both games are set for 7 p.m. tipoffs.

1A-MUSTANGS

HEBER — With the majority of their starters coming back, including senior shooter Blayk Kelton and junior Kyson Owens at point guard, Mogollon is certainly a team to watch in the 1A conference this winter.

After finishing 22-9 overall, including a perfect 13-0 in the 1A Central to claim the region title, Mogollon made it to the final four a season ago, only to be turned away by eventual state champion Mohave Accelerated, 56-53.

“After losing in the semifinals last year to Mohave Accelerated, our guys are hungry and eager to try to make another run in the playoffs,” fifth-year Mogollon head coach Macky Slade said, adding that his club aims to compete and play “fast, aggressive basketball.”

“I really think our group plays well together. So hopefully we can play fast and just continue to be a scrappy, gritty team in the 1A conference,” Slade said.

The Mustangs (0-0, 0-0 1A Copper) open the 2022-23 campaign with a road contest against Superior Jr./Sr. on Nov. 30, then host the Mustang Hoopfest Dec. 2-3. Tipoff against Superior is set for 7 p.m.

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.