These Arizona high school boys basketball coaches are making biggest impact

It's getting close to the finish of the 2023-24 Arizona high school boys basketball season. Several teams have surprised. Some have gone as expected. And there have been some coaches who have impacted their team more than others,

The Arizona Republic takes a look at coaches who have had the greatest impact and are up for the Coach of the Year honor. In no order:

Hosea Graham, San Tan Valley Combs

His team was in disarray before the first day of practice, devastated by the death of Preston Lord, who would have had an integral role on this year's team. It was how Graham allowed his team to grieve throughout the season and how he helped inspire them to a 19-9 record and a spot in the 4A state tournament that is amazing.

Walter Bonner, Phoenix Desert Vista

Desert Vista was a mess before Bonner stepped in and took over. Four years, and four coaches after the Thunder won the 6A state title, Bonner ended up being the right guy for the job. His Thunder shocked Boulder Creek in the first round of the 32-team Open Division as a No. 25 seed. After his team went 4-21 last year, they are 19-9, marking one of the best turnarounds seen in years.

Jesus Flores, Phoenix Thunderbird

In his second year at the helm, the former Pinnacle assistant coach led the Titans to the 4A Skyline Region championship and into the Open Division tournament, where they gave No. 5 Scottsdale Desert Mountain all they could handle in a five-point decision after trailing by 16, as a 26 seed. Now, they're a 7 seed in 4A, where they have a chance to make a nice run with neighborhood kids who have played together since elementary school.

"These kids play well together, love to work hard to win," said Flores, whose team is led by nine seniors, including first-team all-region standouts Ryan Calcaterra, Paris Strozier, Aidan Rampley and Will Clarke.

Doug Harris, Chandler Hamilton

The Huskies are 13-12 and in the 6A state tournament. That might be an average year to some, but Harris turned this around after going 4-20 and not winning a 6A region game a season ago. Harris has way too much pride to let the Huskies fall apart a second year in a row.

Clint Treadway, Chandler Arizona College Prep

He led team to the school's first 20-win season and first post-season win in school history with Zach Cutler, a sophomore, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 67-39 4A play-in win. Treadwell has a young team that is laying the foundation for future state tournament teams.

Matt Hooten, Phoenix Brophy Prep

He lost one of his best players before the season. It ended up that Ayden Madi couldn't return from an injury to play at all this season, but Hooten got the most out of his players after losing in double overtime to Gilbert Highland in last year's 6A championship game. The Broncos won their first two games in the Open and are in the quarterfinals to play No. 1 Gilbert Perry, which they split two games with during the regular season.

Damin Lopez, Phoenix St. Mary's

One of the best players in the state in senior point guard Styles Phipps returned, but his development over his career had much to do with Lopez, who was a top point guard in high school and college. Lopez isn't afraid of challenging his 4A players by scheduling a rash of out-of-state games. He did that more so this year and it's paid off with the Knights still alive in the Open after two rounds.

Eric Langford, Tucson

In the last couple of years, he has turned Tucson High into what many believed the Badgers should be on a year-in, year-out basis: the best basketball program in Southern Arizona. They've won 24 games and lost only two games this season and are looking to hit the reset button in 6A after falling out of the Open tournament.

Clay Gadsden, Marana Mountain View

He has quickly revitalized his Southern Arizona program, leading it to its first winning season since 2018-19 season. The Lions went 18-8, losing to Phoenix Central in a 5A play-in game. Last year, they had no postseason, going 11-14.

Marcus Wright, Laveen Cesar Chavez

He's been the best guy to lead the Champions back to relevance since Gary Lee left. The Champions (24-3) had a 21-game winning streak that got snapped in the Open. They're still playing, in the 6A tournament, and are looking to put another streak together.

Sam Dentz, Tempe McClintock

A season after going 12-13 and losing several top players to prep academies, Dentz had his Chargers bounce back with a 23-5 season that isn't over yet with the 5A tournament starting up.

Kyle Hull, Thatcher

In the last couple of weeks of the regular season, his 3A team was on the playoff bubble. Then, upset win after upset win, the No. 20-seed Eagles advanced to the state quarterfinals in Prescott Valley with a tenacious, never-quit group, led by 5-11 senior guard Christian Carter.

Ben Stryczek, Phoenix Christian

Last summer, the Cougars looked like they had what they needed to be a 2A championship team, but then they lost the heart and soul of their team with senior guard Tommy Randolph's transfer move to Phoenix Pinnacle, a perennial 6A playoff team. The Cougars weren't rattled and pulled together to make it to Friday's state semifinals to take on No. 1 Gilbert San Tan Charter, which has no 2A peers this season.

Corey McCallum, Phoenix Cortez

Phoenix Cortez went 10-16 last year and 16-11 this year with a trip to the 4A state tournament as the No. 14 seed after winning their play-in game against Phoenix Moon Valley. McCallum has handed the keys to this team to senior guard Devan Fowler, who has been brilliant.

Aaron Windler, Queen Creek Casteel

This is what Casteel envisioned after bringing Windler in during the spring of 2020, to win games and get them deep in the playoffs. This team has a chance to make a long run in the 5A tournament as the No. 2 seed. His Colts have won 21 games. He knows how to win big games, leading Scottsdale Chaparral to state championship game appearances in 2010 and '11.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona high school boys basketball coaches making biggest impact