Scottsdale Saguaro defensive tackle Corey Adams is heading to Arizona State, according to his coach, John Sanders. Adams had recently narrowed his choices to Ohio State and ASU before making the decision on Tuesday.

Adams is rated a five-star recruit by Scout.com, and is the second-highest rated player in Arizona. He had been deciding between USC, Arizona State and Ohio State for months.

Sanders said a key reason for Adams committing now was to help persuade other recruits to wear the maroon and gold. Fellow five-star recruits Devon Kennard of Phoenix Desert Vista and Vontaze Burfict of Centennial (Corona, Calif.) are also considering the Sun Devils.

Adams is the first five-star recruit to commit to Arizona State since Zach Miller in 2004. Miller was a second round draft pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2007.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Power points: 5A East Valley and Fiesta region boys basketball teams are the leaders in power-rankings with most schools at the halfway mark of their 18-game schedules that count towards playoff seeding.

Heading into play Tuesday night, 10 of the top 11 schools in 5A-I are from those regions - Gilbert Highland, Mesa Mountain View, Gilbert, Gilbert Mesquite, Chandler, Mesa Westwood, Mesa, Mesa Red Mountain, Chandler Hamilton and Mesa Dobson. The only school breaking up the East Valley-Fiesta logjam in the rankings is Scottsdale Desert Mountain (No. 8). Phoenix St. Mary's, which has only one loss, has only played five games so far that count in the power rankings. Most of the rest of the schools have played at least eight and some nine. In 5A-II boys basketball no local school is in the top 10. The highest ranked school is Scottsdale Horizon at No. 11.

For the 5A-I girls in the power rankings, its a Fiesta Region sweep for the top five spots. No. 1 Gilbert, No. 2. Chandler, No. 3 Mesquite, No. 4 Hamilton and No. 5 Highland. Phoenix Pinnacle (No. 1) and Tempe Marcos de Niza (No. 10) are the only local schools in the top 10 in 5A-II.

FOOTBALL

Coaching update: A quartet of local 5A football openings are on different paces of being filled.

Phoenix Mountain Pointe appears will be the first to hire. The school is anticipating announcing a replacement for Phil Abbadessa by Jan. 21. Mountain Pointe conducted nine interviews for the vacancy.

Mesa Dobson is in the process of scheduling interviews later this week, likely Thursday and Friday. Dobson is looking to replace Tom DeMassa.

Gilbert High will close applications for its opening at the end of this week in an effort to replace Jesse Parker. Gilbert's new high school, Campo Verde, which is set to open this fall, is also preparing to interview and hire its first football coach. Tempe High is expected to begin interviewing to replace John Rodriguez early next week.

Corona del Sol two-way starter nominated: Tempe Corona del Sol offensive lineman and linebacker Tyler Giannonatti has been nominated as an Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year. Giannonatti was a first-team 5A All-Central Region selection and a a second-team choice in the region at linebacker. Giannonatti is eligible by his nomination to be considered for national Red Zone Player of the Year.

Tribune writers Les Willsey and Mark Heller contributed to this story