Sun All-State basketball teams: Boys’ first team

Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | 9:14 a.m.

DeMario Butler

Rancho, F, 6-4, senior

Notes: Versatile forward led the charge for the state's late-season surprise team ... named first team All-Sunrise Region ... averaged 18.5 points and 12 rebounds per game for Rams ... really turned up his game in playoffs, banging inside and grabbing offensive rebounds to pace Rancho offense ... Rams won Sunrise Region title and lost to eventual state champion Cheyenne in state semifinals by just four points.

Said Rams coach Mel Shivers: "DeMario had a great season for us. He's been an outstanding player the last two years. He was our team captain -- he never missed a practice and he led by example. That's the reason we went as far as we did."

Chris Fuller

Cheyenne, F, 6-4, senior

Notes: Key addition to Cheyenne squad quickly became heart and soul of Desert Shields ... accepted reduced scoring role, but was still team's defensive stopper ... did all the little things to help Desert Shields win first 4A State Tournament ... averaged 13.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and two steals per game over 32 games ... second team All-State choice at Centennial last season.

Said Desert Shields coach Larry Johnson: "He was the nucleus of the team. He was never concerned about scoring points. He gave us the intangibles, whatever was needed."

David Padgett

Reno, C, 6-11, senior

Notes: The state's best individual player, Padgett's senior season was cut short by knee injury late in regular season -- the second consecutive year that happened ... widely regarded as one of top 10 prospects in the nation ... McDonald's All-American eventually signed with Kansas ... averaged 26.8 points, 14.5 rebounds, and nine blocks per game ... considered a title contender, Huskies did not qualify for state playoffs after he went down.

Said Huskies coach Pete Padgett: "I think it was pretty obvious once he was injured what we were with or without him. You don't have an opportunity to coach guys like him very often, if ever. He just plays with a passion every day."

Mitch Platt

Green Valley, C, 6-10, senior

Notes: Easily the most dominant player in the Sunrise Region ... voted MVP by Sunrise coaches ... amazing court awareness and passing ability ... averaged 18.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game to pace the Gators ... led Green Valley to perfect record in Southeast Division, although Gators were upset in Sunrise semifinals ... displayed marked improvement in his senior season, even though he had already signed letter of intent to play at Oregon.

Said Gators coach Jim Allen: "Besides being our leading scorer, he's also a great passer. We really wanted him to touch the ball quite a bit. ... His improvement (from his junior to senior year) came because of his hard work. He spent a lot of time in the gym, a lot of time in the weight room, and a lot of time with a personal trainer."

Lorrenzo Wade

Cheyenne, G/F, 6-5, senior

Notes: Ultra-athletic wingman keyed Cheyenne to 4A title ... amazing leaping ability and long arms make him a top college prospect ... ranked among top 65 prospects nationally by espn.com ... created severe mismatch problems in low post, where he became Desert Shields' No. 1 option ... averaged 17.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and two steals per game.

Said Desert Shields coach Larry Johnson: "He was the offensive key. When we decided to move him to the post (at the start of region playoffs), it was really big for us. He's probably our most athletic and gifted player. There's not much he can't do."

Phil Clarke

Palo Verde, coach, 7th season

Notes: Led Panthers to most successful year, including first region playoff berth, in school's brief history ... Palo Verde then made it to 4A state final, losing to Cheyenne ... Panthers did not have any player make All-Region or All-State first team, but still enjoyed excellent year ... battled non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, rarely missed any team activities.