All-region honors bestowed on Apaches, Wildkats

Centurions top Tigers for 2026 state title

By Raymundo Frasquillo

GRAHAM/GREENLEE COUNTIES – Two of the three East Region state tourney qualifiers, No. 10 Fort Thomas and No. 13 Duncan, were eliminated in the first round. The third entry, Scottsdale Cicero Prep, captured the state title, its fourth consecutive one (2023-26). The Centurions had four all-region first-team selections, while Fort Thomas and Duncan each had one, as announced recently.

Cicero Prep sophomore setter Grace Combs (18), senior libero Layla Hrabe (2), junior outside/opposite hitter Penelope Burman (9), and senior outside hitter Claire Hodgson (5) were on the first team; senior opposite hitter/middle blocker Sasha Hruby (11) and sophomore opposite hitter Makenzie Peil (13) were on the second team; senior outside hitter Karli Drazenovich (6), junior defensive specialist Kira Meyers (1), and junior outside/opposite hitter Evelyn Thomas (17) received honorable mention; and senior middle hitter Kate Harrigan (14) was the Region Offensive-Player-of-the-Year and senior setter/opposite hitterNicole Damian (15) the Region Player-of-the-Year.

Fort Thomas had sophomore hitter/middle blocker Jalayah Johnson (6) with first team honors; senior libero Kelcie Harvey (27) and junior setter Carmen Antonio (10) were on the second team; seniors Kynnedee Bryce and Tranessa Jones, and sophomores Carter Hawkins and Aaliyah Peter received honorable mention; and third-year head coach Darcy Barney was the Region Coach-of-the-Year.

Duncan senior setter Sophia Harris (15) was on the first team; junior outside hitter Haley Bigler (5) and sophomore hitter/middle blocker Emma Harris (7) were on the second team; freshman hitter/middle blocker Kiyana Bruce (12), senior hitter/middle blocker McKenzie Jones (16), sophomore middle blocker Karli McKinley (10), and freshman hitter/middle blocker Elyana Whitmer (17) received honorable mention; and senior libero Lily Ford (20) was the region Defensive Player-of-the-Year.

Ray senior libero/setter Kaylee Servant (7) was on the second team; and freshman setter Miley Chester (1), senior outside/middle hitter Callee McCroakey (15), junior outside hitter Krishel Sims (2) received honorable mention.

Hayden senior hitter/middle blocker Daisy Aguirre (2/4) was on the first team; junior hitter/middle blocker Kaylah Alvarez (11), senior hitter/middle blocker Aleyna Ochoa (3/10), and senior hitter/middle blocker Yvana Waddell (14) received honorable mention.

Superior sophomore hitter/middle blocker Noelle Duarte (9), senior setter/outside hitter Ashley Lopez (8), junior opposite hitter/libero Audrina Lopez (6), and sophomore hitter/middle blocker Lauryn Lopez (21) received honorable mention.

San Manuel junior middle hitter Leanna Duke Harris (1) received honorable mention.

No. 10 Fort Thomas Apaches (11-7 seeding, 4.2527 rating)

The Darcy Barney-coached Apaches (13-9 overall, 11-7 seeding, 5-1 East Region for second of seven) had 11 seeding wins of 2-1 (25-23, 25-27, 25-9) over Winkelman Hayden on Sept. 1, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-17) over San Carlos on Sept. 2, of 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 25-15, 22-25, 15-5) over Elfrida Valley Union on Sept. 9, of 3-2 over Willcox on Sept. 15, of 3-1 (21-25, 25-12, 25-13, 25-19) over Grand Canyon on Sept. 18, of 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-21) over San Simon on Sept. 29, of 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-9) over Duncan on Oct. 6, of 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-17) over Superior on Oct. 8, of 3-0 over Dishchii’Bikoh on Oct. 15, of 3-0 over Ray on Oct. 20, and of 3-0 over San Manuel on Oct. 29.

The seven seeding losses were of 0-3 (18-25, 27-29, 25-14) to Pima on Aug. 26, of 1-3 (11-25, 13-25, 25-19, 19-25) to Heber Mogollon on Sept. 10, of 0-3 (11-25, 19-25, 21-25) to Joseph City on Sept. 19, of 1-3 (21-25, 25-22, 19-25, 22-25) to Patagonia on Sept. 23, of 0-3 (14-25, 13-25, 19-25) to Cicero Prep on Oct. 1, of 0-3 (16-25, 15-25, 13-25) to Saint David on Oct. 23, and of 2-3 (22-25, 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 11-15) to Duncan on Oct. 29.

Additionally, the Apaches went 2-2 during the Second Cochise County Round-up on Aug. 29. Fort Thomas went 2-1 in pool play with wins of 37-33 over San Simon and 44-41 over Bisbee, along with a 36-37 loss to Patagonia. The Apaches finished fourth with a 2-set (25-27, 12-25) loss to host Willcox.

Fort Thomas lists a 10-member roster of four seniors, three juniors, and five sophomores. The seniors are Kynnedee Bryce (21), Kelcie Harvey (27), Jamie Johnson (8), and Tranessa Jones (19); juniors Carmen Antonio (10), Maliah Duncan (11), and Dreona Pike (13); and sophomores Carter Hawkins (4), Jalayah Johnson (6), Cadence Olivar (2), Kinlee Pearson (1), and Aaliyah Peter (16).

The Apaches competed in the 7-member 1A East Region with the Duncan Wildkats, Kearny Ray Bearcats, San Manuel Miners, Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, Superior Panthers, and Winkelman Hayden Lobos.

No. 13 Duncan Wildkats (12-6 seeding, 3.4823 rating)

The Kassi Mortensen-coached Duncan Wildkats (19-9 overall, 12-6 seeding, 4-2 East Region for third of seven) had 12 seeding wins of 3-1 (25-23, 25-15, 17-25, 26-24) over 1A South Region Elfrida Valley Union on Aug. 27, of 3-0 (25-19,25- 17,25- 16) over 2A East Region Miami on Sept. 4, of 3-0 (25-9, 25-5, 25-6) over 2A Independent Tucson Catalina on Sept. 9, of 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-20) over Kearny Ray on Sept. 22, of 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-14) over 2A East Region San Carlos on Sept. 24, of 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-15) over Valley Union on Sept. 29, of 3-0 (25-20, 25-7, 25-17) over Winkelman Hayden on Oct. 1, of 3-0 (25-5, 25-7, 25-16) over 1A South Region San Simon on Oct. 8, of 3-1 (19-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-15) over New Mexico Animas on Oct. 12, of 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-14) over San Manuel on Oct. 14, of 3-2 (25-22, 18-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-11) over Fort Thomas on Oct. 27, and of 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-9) over Superior on Oct. 29.

The six seeding losses were of 0-3 (11-25, 10-25, 18-25) to Scottsdale Cicero Prep on Aug. 31, of 2-3 (18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 17-25, 10-15) to San Simon on Sept. 2, of 0-3 (15-25, 19-25, 15-25) to 1A South Region Patagonia on Sept. 10, of 0-3 (14-25, 13-25, 12-25) to 1A South Region Saint David on Sept. 15, of 1-3 (25-19, 16-25, 19-25, 20-25) to 2A Southeast Region Morenci on Oct. 5, and of 2-3 (25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 9-15) to Fort Thomas on Oct. 6.

Additionally, the Wildcats went 3-2 during the Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney on Sept. 25-26 and 4-1 during the San Simon tourney on Oct. 17. Duncan had wins of 2-0 (25-11, 25-13) over 2A Southeast Region Bisbee, of 2-0 (25-21, 25-13) over 2A East Region Miami, of 2-1 (15-25, 27-25, 15-9) over 5A Central Region Phoenix Metro Tech on Sept. 25, of 37-33 over Valley Union, of 33-28 over New Mexico Animas, of 36-32 over 1A South Region San Simon, and of 58-15 over 1A South Region ASDB on Oct. 17. The losses were of 1-2 (16-25, 25-23, 9-15) to 4A Kino Region Douglas and of 0-2 (16-25, 17-25) to 4A Black Canyon Region Phoenix Moon Valley on Sept. 26, and of 0-2 (3-25, 26-28) to San Simon on Oct. 17.

Duncan’s 13-member roster includes three seniors, a junior, four sophomores, and five freshmen. The seniors are Lily Ford (20), Sophia Harris (15), and McKenzie Jones (16); junior Haley Bigler (5); sophomores Emma Harris (7), Peyton Hoglan (14), Karli McKinley (10), and Josie Wright (4); and freshmen Kiyana Bruce (12), Mila Herrera (3), Allie Hughes (2), Ashlyn Jensen (6), and Elyana Whitmer (17).

The Wildkats competed in the 8-member 1A East Region with the Fort Thomas Apaches, the Kearny Ray Bearcats, the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.

1A East Region

The final region standings were Scottsdale Cicero Prep (25-8 overall, 16-1 seeding, 6-0 region), Fort Thomas (13-10, 11-7, 5-1), Duncan (19-10, 12-6, 4-2), Kearny Ray (9-16, 8-10, 3-3), Winkelman Hayden (4-13, 4-13, 2-4), Superior (4-15, 3-12, 1-5), and San Manuel (1-16, 1-16, 0-7).

Region pairing results to date include Cicero Prep of 3-0 (25-11, 25-10, 25-18) over Duncan on Aug. 31, of 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-19) over Fort Thomas on Oct. 1, of 3-0 over Superior on Oct. 6, of 3-0 over Ray on Oct. 8, of 3-0 over Hayden o Oct. 22, and of 3-0 (25-8, 25-12, 25-12) over San Manuel on Oct. 27; Fort Thomas of 3-0 over Hayden on Sept. 1, of 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-9) over Duncan on Oct. 6, of 3-0 over Superior on Oct. 8, of 3-0 over Ray on Oct. 20, and of 3-0 (25-8, 25-14,25- 15) over San Manuel on Oct. 29; Duncan of 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-20) over Ray on Sept. 22, of 3-0 (25-20, 25-7, 25-17) over Hayden on Oct. 1, of 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-14) over San Manuel on Oct. 14, and of 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-9) over Superior on Oct. 29; Hayden of 3-1 (18-25, 25-20, 25-11, 25-11) over San Manuel on Oct. 6 and of 3-1 (25-10, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19) over Superior on Oct. 13; Ray of 3-1 over San Manuel on Sept. 29, of 3-2 (25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 24-26, 15-9) over Superior on Oct. 14, and of 3-2 (25-8, 25-19, 23-25, 19-25, 15-8) over Hayden on Oct. 27; and Superior of 3-2 (16-25, 18-25, 28-26, 27-25, 15-7) over San Manuel on Oct. 1.

1A South Region

The region standings as of Oct. 31 were Saint David (30-8 overall, 16-1 seeding, 6-0 region), Elfrida Valley Union (13-12*, 10-7, 4-2), Patagonia (19-9, 14-3, 4-2), Tucson’s The Gregory School (18-13, 13-5, 3-3), San Simon (14-12, 10-6, 3-3), Nogales Lourdes Catholic (4-10, 3-7, 1-5), and Tucson ASDB (1-16, 1-11, 0-6).

South Region tourney results were of 3-0 (25-8, 25-13, 25-3) for Saint David over The Gregory School and of 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-18) over Patagonia, of 3-1 for Valley Union over Patagonia, of 2-0 (25-18, 25-13) for The Gregory School over San Simon, and of 2-0 for Patagonia over ASDB on Oct. 30

Region pairings resulted in wins for Saint David of 3-0 (25-5, 25-3, 25-7) over ASDB on Sept. 2, of 3-0 (25-3, 25-11, 25-9) over Lourdes Catholic on Sept. 4, of 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-9) over San Simon on Sept. 21, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-14) over The Gregory School on Oct. 6, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-23) over Valley Union on Oct. 14, of 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-21) over Patagonia on Oct. 19; Patagonia of 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-11) over The Gregory School on Sept. 2, of 3-0 (25-7, 25-9, 25-13) over ASDB on Sept. 8, of 3-1 (25-10, 22-25, 25-5, 25-20) over San Simon on Oct. 2, and of 3-0 (25-20, 25-7, 25-19) over Lourdes Catholic on Oct. 6; The Gregory School of 3-0 (25-9, 25-8, 25-10) over ASDB on Sept. 3, of 3-1 (19-25, 25-12, 25-20, 25-20) over San Simon on Sept. 9, and of 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 26-24, 25-17) over Lourdes Catholic on Oct. 22; Valley Union of 3-0 over Lourdes Catholic on Sept. 11, of 3-2 (20-25, 25-13, 23-25, 25-22, 18-16) over The Gregory School on Oct. 8, of 3-0 (28-26, 25-22, 25-18) over Patagonia on Oct. 13, and of 3-0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-12) over ASDB on Oct. 28; and San Simon of 3-2 (25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 11-25, 15-13) over Valley Union on Sept. 15 and of 3-0 (25-5, 25-14, 25-10) ASDB on Sept. 18.

1A State Tourney Championship (Nov. 7)

The top two teams faced one another for the championship at Scottsdale Coronado on the campus, with top-ranked Scottsdale Cicero Prep (16-1 seeding, 28.6720 rating) defeating No. 2 Saint David (16-1, 24.8914) 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-14) on Nov. 7.

1A State Tourney Semifinals (Nov. 6)

The 1A State Tourney Semifinals were at Scottsdale Coronado on Nov. 7.

It was top-ranked Scottsdale Cicero Prep (16-1 seeding, 28.6720 rating) 3-0 (25-10, 25-16, 25-15) over No. 5 Heber Mogollon (13-4, 13.8885) in the upper bracket.

The lower bracket had No. 2 Saint David (16-1, 24.8914) 3-0 (25-13, 25-12, 25-13) over No. 6 Patagonia (14-3, 11.7499).

1A State Tourney Quarterfinals (Nov. 6)

The 1A State Tourney Quarterfinals were held at Scottsdale Coronado on Nov. 6.

It was top ranked Scottsdale Cicero Prep (16-1 seeding, 28.6720 rating) 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-12) over No. 8 Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (11-2, 8.2363) and No. 5 Heber Mogollon (13-4, 13.8885) 3-2 (24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 26-24) over No. 4 Flagstaff Basis (17-1, 17.1335) in the upper bracket.

The lower bracket had No. 6 Patagonia (14-3, 11.7499) 3-1 (25-18, 25-16, 21-25, 26-24) over No. 3 Rock Point (17-0, 22.9023) and No. 2 Saint David (16-1, 24.8914) 3-0 (25-14, 26-24, 25-20) over No. 7 North Phoenix Prep (14-3, 15.5842).

1A State Tourney First Round (Nov. 3)

The 1A State Tourney First Round at the higher seeds began on Nov. 3.

It was top ranked Scottsdale Cicero Prep (16-1 seeding, 28.6720 rating) 3-0 (25-18, 25-4, 25-13) over No. 16 Ash Fork (10-5, 1.2137), No. 8 Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (11-2, 8.2363) 3-1 (19-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-18) over No. 9 Saint Michael (13-3, 7.1825), No. 5 Heber Mogollon (13-4, 13.8885) 3-0 (25-29, 25-20, 25-19) over No. 12 Tucson’s The Gregory School (13-5, 3.5311), and No. 4 Flagstaff Basis (17-1, 17.1335) 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-22) over No. 13 Duncan (12-6, 3.4823) in the upper bracket.

The lower bracket had No. 3 Rock Point (17-0, 22.9023) 3-2 (25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 13-25, 15-6) over No. 14 Williams (11-6, 2.7842), No. 6 Patagonia (14-3, 11.7499) 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-21) over No. 11 Joseph City (10-7, 3.9918), No. 7 North Phoenix Prep (14-3, 15.5842) 3-0 (25-11, 26-24, 25-16) over No. 10 Fort Thomas (11-7, 4.2527), and No. 2 Saint David (16-1, 24.8914) 3-0 (25-15, 25-12, 25-11) over No. 15 Glendale Desert Heights Prep (12-5, 2.2681).

Rankings for other East Region teams were Kearny Ray (8-10, minus 8.6114) No. 22, Superior (3-12, minus 19.0276) No. 31, Winkelman Hayden (4-13, minus 21.3858) No. 32, and San Manuel (1-16, minus 30.4820) No. 37. The other South Region members were ranked Elfrida Valley Union (10-7, minus 0.2145) No. 18, San Simon (10-6, minus 0.6552) No. 20, Tucson ASDB (1-11, minus 31.4137) No. 38, and Nogales Lourdes Catholic (3-7, unrated) not ranked.