PHOENIX, Ariz. — The scoreboard will show an 85-66 victory for Hillcrest National @ SSS Academies over Central Ridge Prep, but for the Bandidos, Thursday’s preseason matchup represented something much bigger than one final score.
It represented the beginning of a foundation.
Playing against one of the most recognizable names in prep basketball, Central Ridge Prep opened its national schedule by going toe-to-toe with Hillcrest National for three quarters before the Bruins used their size, depth and experience to pull away in the fourth.
For a Central Ridge program entering its inaugural season, it was exactly the type of measuring stick the Bandidos wanted.
Bandidos Battle for Three Quarters
Central Ridge entered the matchup noticeably undersized against a Hillcrest roster featuring length and size throughout the lineup, but the Bandidos refused to allow the physical disadvantage to dictate the game early.
For the first three quarters, Central Ridge stayed within striking distance, with Hillcrest never stretching its advantage beyond nine points.
The Bandidos competed on the glass, attacked offensively and continued answering Hillcrest runs.
That changed during the fourth quarter.
Hillcrest began leaning on its depth and interior size, wearing down a Central Ridge team that had spent most of the game battling against bigger bodies. The Bruins finally pushed the margin into double figures and maintained control the rest of the way to secure the 85-66 victory.
The final margin, however, did not completely reflect how competitive the game was through the opening three quarters.
Hillcrest’s Size and Playmaking Take Over
Hillcrest received production from multiple spots on the floor.
Jaideep Gill delivered the biggest scoring performance of the game, pouring in 30 points to lead the Bruins offensively.
Inside, Xavier Te Tai made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-11 center finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, providing Hillcrest with a rim protector and interior presence that became increasingly difficult for Central Ridge to handle as the game progressed.
Guard Davion Rhymes controlled the game as a distributor, finishing with 10 points and 12 assists, while KJ Perez impacted several areas with 10 points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Hillcrest’s ability to combine perimeter playmaking with size inside ultimately became the difference.
Taylor Leads the Bandidos
Despite the loss, Central Ridge had several encouraging individual performances.
Combo guard Makai Taylor delivered one of the best all-around performances on the floor, finishing with 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Taylor consistently created offense while also helping the undersized Bandidos on the boards. His ability to score, facilitate and rebound gave Central Ridge a steady presence throughout the contest.
Guard/forward Jay-Juan Gould added 14 points and eight rebounds, providing another aggressive scoring and rebounding option.
Guard Zeshawn Gould also reached double figures with 10 points and five rebounds.
For a new program still developing chemistry and establishing its identity, having multiple players produce against an established prep opponent was one of the biggest positives Central Ridge can take away from the matchup.
More Than One Game for Central Ridge Prep
The significance of this season stretches beyond wins and losses.
Central Ridge Prep is entering its first season as a post-graduate basketball program in Pinal County, creating another pathway for student-athletes in an area that has traditionally operated outside Arizona’s primary prep basketball hubs in Phoenix and the East Valley.
Based in Coolidge, Central Ridge was founded with the goal of helping student-athletes bridge the gap between high school and college. The academy’s stated mission centers on development, discipline and exposure, with its program incorporating basketball skill development, strength and conditioning, film study, recruiting assistance and college placement support.
That makes the 2026-27 season an important first chapter.
Prep basketball continues to evolve throughout the West Coast, with programs increasingly offering players an alternative route to develop, gain exposure and compete against schedules that reach beyond traditional high school boundaries.
Now Pinal County has a program attempting to establish itself in that landscape.
Central Ridge isn’t trying to build its reputation by avoiding difficult competition, either.
Opening the national portion of its schedule against Hillcrest made that clear.
For an inaugural program, there are easier ways to start.
There may not be many better ways to find out where you stand.
Building the Foundation
Central Ridge’s long-term vision is centered around developing players who may need additional time, exposure or opportunity before moving to the college level.
The academy states that its college-placement network extends across the NCAA, NAIA, NCCAA, USCAA and NJCAA levels, while its development model includes individual skill work, competitive practices, film analysis and recruiting assistance.
But before Central Ridge can become what it ultimately wants to be, it has to build.
That means establishing a culture.
Developing players.
Recruiting talent.
Competing against programs with more size, more depth and more history.
Learning how to finish games.
And creating a reputation that can carry from Pinal County throughout Arizona and eventually onto the national prep basketball scene.
Thursday’s result showed there is plenty of work ahead.
It also showed there is something to build on.
For three quarters, an undersized team playing in the first season of its existence stood within single digits of an established Hillcrest National program.
Eventually, Hillcrest’s size and depth won out.
But Central Ridge walked away with something valuable: film, experience and a better understanding of the level required to compete on a national prep schedule.
The Bandidos may be new.
The foundation may only be beginning.
But Central Ridge Prep has officially entered the prep basketball landscape — and Pinal County now has another basketball program looking to create opportunities, develop prospects and build something designed to last.
Hillcrest National 85, Central Ridge Prep 66.
For Central Ridge, it’s one game down in what the program hopes will become a much bigger story.
