Eagles ascend to No. 7, Dawgs drop to region fourth
By Raymundo Frasquillo
FORT THOMAS – The Matthew Dona-coached top-ranked Fort Thomas Apaches host No. 16 Cicero Prep Centurions on Thursday. The Jerry W. Hancock Gymnasium-held pairing is top seed versus fourth seed with a 7 p.m. tip-off.
The Apaches topped the Centurions 96-59 during a region contest on Jan. 21 and are averaging a 74-51 (2,307-1,577) score per game or a 23-point margin through 31 games, while Cicero Prep is averaging a 51-59 (872-1,004) score per game or an 8-point deficit through 17 games.
Morenci hosts Bisbee for a 2A South Region contest; Pima hosts San Tan Charter for a 2A East Region contest; and Thatcher hosts Sabino and Safford visits Tanque Verdefor 3A South Region contests on Thursday, Feb. 5
This week (Feb. 5-7)
This week (Feb. 5-7), the 1A East Region has Fort Thomas hosting the region tourney on Thursday-Friday, Feb. 5-6. Second seed Hayden meets third seed Valley Lutheran at 4 p.m., and top seed Fort Thomas faces fourth seed Cicero Prep at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5. The winners meet at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6.
In the 2A East Region, San Tan Charter visits Pima; Gilbert Classical hosts Leading Edge; Lincoln Prep hosts Chandler Prep; and Miami visits Arete Prep on Feb. 5.
For the 2A South Region members, Morenci hosts Bisbee, and Benson hosts Desert Christian on Feb. 5.
This week in the 3A South Region, Palo Verde Magnet hosts Andrada Polytechnic, Pusch Ridge visits Empire, Thatcher hosts Sabino, and Safford visits Tanque Verde on Feb. 5.
Non-region pairings include Catalina visiting 3A Independent Mesa North American Leadership on Feb. 5.
1A No. 1 Fort Thomas (19-0 seeding, 16.1498 rating)
Fort Thomas (27-4 overall, 19-0 seeding, 7-0 region) is averaging a 74-51 (2,307-1,577) score per game or a 23-point margin through 31 games.
A 14-member roster includes seven seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, and a freshman. The seniors are Damarae Dosela (31), Koby Hunter (23), Leondro Kenton (14), Justin Olivar (25), Michael Olivar (34), Kobe Pearson (20), and Channing Wilson (11); juniors Brian Sign (50), Tayshawn Stanley (45), and Keon Williams (44); sophomores Aaden Anderson (55), Amare Ethelbah (15), and Malachi Johnson (10); and freshman Elijah Titla (35).
The Matthew Dona-coached Apaches are competing in the 8-member 1A East Region with the Duncan Wildkats, the Kearny Ray Bearcats, the Phoenix Valley Lutheran Flames, the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.
1A No. 23 Duncan (7-12 seeding, minus 8.4897 rating)
Duncan (9-14 overall, 7-12 seeding, 2-5 region) is averaging a 42-48 (968-1,097) score per game or a 6-point deficit through 23 games.
A 12-member roster includes four seniors, three juniors, and five sophomores. The seniors are Taygen Jensen (22), Tanner Giacoletti (32), Pablo Ruiz (10), and Isaiah Sumner (24); juniors Connor Free (12), Dayton Penry (4), and Aaron Zamora (30); and sophomores Mark Bejarano (34), Canyon Carver (42), Jared Kempton (44), Karsen Lacey (14), and Wyatt Lunt (40).
The Brad Roof-coached Wildkats are competing in the 8-member 1A South Region with the Fort Thomas Apaches, the Kearny Ray Bearcats, the Phoenix Valley Lutheran Flames, the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.
1A State Rankings
The state rankings for the Top 24 of 42 statewide 1A schools at noon on Feb. 5 were Fort Thomas (19-0, 16.1498 rating), No. 1, Winkelman Hayden (16-2, 9.829) No. 2, Williams (15-2, 8.2612) No. 3, Tucson’s The Gregory School (13-5, 7.2945) No. 4, Joseph City (14-5, 6.8271) No. 5, Bagdad (18-1, 2.9546) No. 6, Phoenix Valley Lutheran (12-6, 2.8314) No.76, and Rock Point (13-5, minus 1.9440) No. 8.
Saint David (11-6, 1.5580) was No. 9, Heber Mogollon (10-7, 1.5342) No. 10, Phoenix Great Hearts Anthem (12-3, 0.9991) No. 11, Dishchii’bikoh (12-6, 0.8066) No. 12, Kearny Ray (12-6, minus 2.9598) No. 13, Wellton Antelope Union (11-3, minus 3.2648) No. 14, Sells Baboquivari (9-7, minus 3.8026) No. 15, and Scottsdale Cicero Prep (6-11, minus 4.1861) No. 16.
Flagstaff Basis (11-6, minus 5.1029) was No. 17, Colorado City El Capitan (9-7, minus 5.7372) No. 18, Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (11-7, minus 6.4119) No. 19, Saint Michael (9-9, minus 6.6146) No. 20, Seligman (10-7, minus 6.6672) No. 21, Patagonia (9-8, minus 7.4392) No. 22, Peach Springs Music Mountain (9-8, minus 7.9597) No. 23, and Duncan (7-12, minus 8.4897) No. 24.
The state rankings for the other two 1A South Region members were Superior (4-14, minus 13.5306), No. 29, and San Manuel (2-16, minus 18.4329), No. 34.
1A South Region Standings
Standings for the 1A East Region as of Feb. 4 were Fort Thomas (27-4 overall, 19-0 seeding, 7-0 region), Winkelman Hayden (18-5, 16-2, 6-1), Phoenix Valley Lutheran (17-11, 12-6, 5-2), Scottsdale Cicero Prep (6-11, 6-11, 4-3), Kearny Ray (15-8, 12-6, 3-4), Duncan (9-14, 7-12, 2-5), Superior (6-17, 4-14, 1-6), and San Manuel (2-20, 2-16, 0-7).
Region results are Fort Thomas over Superior (87-34, Dec. 16), Hayden (85-68, Jan. 6), Duncan (78-43, Jan. 13), Cicero Prep (96-59, Jan. 21), Valley Lutheran (90-50, Jan. 23), Ray (103-63, Jan. 27), and San Manuel (71-37, Feb. 3); Hayden over San Manuel (68-35, Dec. 16), Valley Lutheran (58-44, Jan. 13), Superior (51-29, Jan. 15), Ray (75-34, Jan. 20), Duncan (73-43, Jan. 27), and Cicero Prep (62-57, Jan. 30); Valley Lutheran over Ray (71-70, Dec. 12), Cicero Prep (56-45, Jan. 6), Duncan (48-44, Jan. 10), San Manuel (75-18, Jan. 16), and Superior (51-25, Jan. 20); Cicero Prep over Ray (72-51, Jan. 9), Duncan (58-52, Jan. 17), San Manuel (64-30, Jan. 23), and Superior (46-32, Jan. 27); Ray over Superior (85-47, Jan. 23), Duncan (71-68, Jan. 30), and San Manuel (67-36, Jan. 31); Duncan over Superior (52-41, Jan. 6) and San Manuel (51-39, Jan. 20); and Superior over San Manuel (52-40, Jan. 13).
2A No. 2 Pima Roughriders (15-2 seeding, 16.7778 rating)
Pima (25-4 overall, 15-2 seeding, 7-0 region) is averaging a 67-45 (1,941-1,301) score per game or a 22-point margin through 29 games.
A 12-member roster has four seniors, seven juniors, and a sophomore. The seniors are Keaton Bryce (2), Keegan Corona (14), Charles Richardson (32), Isaac Thompson (1); juniors Nash Bodily (13), Gilbert Bryce (0), Joel Mattice (23), Stratton McRae (12), Brendan Skiba (15), Tanner Smith (3), and Haydn Wilkins (5); and sophomore Van Papa (10).
The Cliff Thompson-coached Roughriders are competing in the 9-member 2A East Region 2A East Region with the Chandler Lincoln Prep Lightning, the Chandler Prep Titans, the Gilbert Leading Edge Spartans, the Gilbert Classical Spartans, the Gilbert San Tan Charter Roadrunners, the Miami Vandals, and the San Carlos Braves.
2A No. 20 Willcox Cowboys (13-5 seeding, 2.7584 rating)
Willcox (20-5 overall, 12-5 seeding, 7-1 region) is averaging a 59-50 (1,469-1,238) score per game or a 9-point margin through 25 games.
An 11-member roster includes a senior, four juniors, five sophomores, and a freshman. The senior is Ty Shull (2); juniors Bryan Cuevas (4), Jahir Reyes (12), J.D. Whetten (10), and Carder Wyatt (13); sophomores Ryan Burchett (24), Saul Medina (3), Steele Romney (5), Tucker Stamback (11), and Asher Ward (1); and freshman Alex Shull (14).
The Farbod Safavi-coached Wildcats are competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Morenci Wildcats, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, along with the Tucson schools Desert Christian Eagles, Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
2A No. 26 Morenci Wildcats (8-9 seeding, minus 0.4905 rating)
Morenci (12-16 overall, 8-9 seeding, 6-1 region) is averaging a 55-56 (1,537-1,555) score per game or a 1-point deficit through 28 games.
A 12-member roster has three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, and a freshman. The seniors are Abraham Cortez (24), Derick Lytle (22), and Adrian McCallum (25); juniors Aymen Abdulqader (11), Damian Espino (21), Adrian McCabe (12), and Morgan Petross (35); sophomores Andress Aguilera (31), Brennen Burkhead (32), Alejandro LaPrada (10), Deegan Miller (23); and freshman Marcus Najar (33).
The Ruben Leonard-coached Wildcats are competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, the Willcox Cowboys, along with the Tucson schools Desert Christian Eagles, Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
2A State Rankings
The statewide rankings for the Top 24 of 52 statewide 2A schools at noon on Feb. 5 were Gilbert San Tan Charter (16-0 seeding, 22.6893 rating) No. 1, Phoenix Country Day School (17-1, 18.2395) No. 2, Pima (15-2, 16.7778) No. 3, Phoenix North Valley Christian (15-2, 15.1392) No. 4, Scottsdale Christian (13-4, 14.3460) No. 5, Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (13-4, 13.2081) No. 6, Glendale Prep (13-4, 11.4265) No. 7, and Fountain Hills (12-5, 11.1474) No. 8.
San Carlos (11-6, 8.9935) was No. 9, Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (12-5, 8.6326) No. 10, Scottsdale Rancho Solano Prep (10-7, 8.5498) No. 11, Saint Johns (14-4, 8.2092) No. 12, Phoenix Veritas Prep (12-5, 7.6193) No. 13, Phoenix Christian (9-7, 7.1889) No. 14, Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (14-5, 7.17946 No. 15, and Gilbert Classical (13-4, 6.8210) No. 16.
Phoenix Horizon Honors (10-7, 6.3047) was No. 17, Flagstaff Northland Prep (11-6, 5.2881) No. 18, Eagar Round Valley (12-7, 4.9266) No. 19, Willcox (13-5, 2.7584) No. 20, Avondale Highland Prep West (8-8, 1.9896) No. 21, Chandler Lincoln Prep (9-8, 1.9792) No. 22, Benson (10-7, 1.6240) No. 23, and Camp Verde (5-12, 0.1533) No. 24.
The state rankings for the other seven 2A South Region members were Morenci (8-9 seeding, minus 0.4905 rating) No. 26, Desert Christian (10-7, minus 2.1629) No. 28, Bisbee (8-6, minus 3.8013) No. 32, Tucson Saint Augustine (11-7, minus 4.5028) No. 33, Santa Rita (7-11, minus 10.3672) No. 40, San Miguel (3-15, minus 19.5399) No. 50, and Tombstone (2-15, minus 20.5022) No. 51.
Four other 2A East Region member rankings were Arete Prep (7-10 seeding, minus 3.6097) No. 31, Leading Edge (3-12, minus 8.6612) No. 37, Miami (4-13, minus 11.6381) No. 42, and Chandler Prep (0-17, minus 15.0309) No. 46.
2A East Region Standings
Standings for 2A East Region members as of Feb. 4 were Gilbert San Tan Charter (20-3 overall, 16-0 seeding, 7-0 region), Pima (25-4, 15-2, 7-0), San Carlos (16-9, 12-6, 6-2), Gilbert Classical (15-5*, 13-4, 4-3), Chandler Lincoln Prep (12-13, 9-8, 3-4), Miami (9-18, 4-13, 2-5), Gilbert Arete Prep (12-14, 7-10, 1-5), Gilbert Leading Edge (3-18, 3-13, 1-5), and Chandler Prep (0-17, 0-17, 0-7).
Region results are San Tan Charter over Lincoln Prep (94-26, Dec. 2), San Carlos (89-64, Jan. 12), Chandler Prep (127-24, Jan. 15), Arete Prep (114-52, Jan. 20), Leading Edge (110-31, Jan. 23), Gilbert Classical (81-38, Jan. 27), and Miami (145-12, Jan. 30); Pima over Chandler Prep (98-16, Jan. 9), Arete Prep (78-36, Jan. 12), Leading Edge (94-23, Jan. 15, Gilbert Classical (63-36, Jan. 20), Miami (97-45, Jan. 23), Lincoln Prep (62-19, Jan. 27), and San Carlos (63-48, Jan. 30); San Carlos over Arete Prep (79-34, Jan. 9), Gilbert Classical (51-46, Jan. 15), Chandler Prep (109-32, Jan. 20), Lincoln Prep (63-22, Jan. 23), Leading Edge (1-0, Jan. 27), and Miami (92-50, Feb. 2); Gilbert Classical over Miami (82-36, Jan. 9), Lincoln Prep (65-30, Jan. 12), Arete Prep (62-61, Jan. 23), and Chandler Prep (70-25, Feb. 2); Lincoln Prep over Leading Edge (53-43, Jan. 9), Miami (69-29, Jan. 15), and Arete Prep (62-46, Jan. 30); and Miami over Chandler Prep (52-51, Jan. 12) and Leading Edge (83-53, Jan. 21); Arete Prep over Chandler Prep (72-40, Jan. 27); and Leading Edge over Chandler Prep (63-48, Jan. 30).
2A South Region Standings
Standings in the 2A South Region as of Feb. 4 were Willcox (1205 overall, 1235 seeding, 7-1 region), Morenci (12-16, 8-9, 6-1), Benson (14-9, 10-7, 5-2), Tucson Desert Christian (11-11, 10-7, 5-2), Bisbee (11-8, 8-6, 4-3), Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (14-9, 11-7, 4-4), Tucson Santa Rita (7-11, 7-11, 2-6), Tombstone (2-25, 2-15, 1-7), and Tucson San Miguel Catholic (3-15, 3-15, 0-8).
Region results are Willcox over Saint Augustine (60-36, Jan. 8), Bisbee (66-52, Jan. 15), Santa Rita (47-41, Jan. 19), Morenci (60-55, Jan. 22), Tombstone (59-26, Jan. 23), San Miguel (83-61, Jan. 27), and Desert Christian (75-52, Jan. 29); Morenci over San Miguel (74-38, Jan. 6), Saint Augustine (63-51, Jan. 15), Desert Christian (64-57, Jan. 20), Benson (67-55, Jan. 27), Tombstone (70-32, Jan. 29), and Santa Rita (66-37, Feb. 2); Benson over Willcox (51-50, Jan. 6), Santa Rita (67-38, Jan. 15), Bisbee (46-43, Jan. 22), San Miguel (84-30, Jan. 29), and Tombstone (64-23, Feb. 3); Desert Christian over Tombstone (57-25, Jan. 6), San Miguel (61-24, Jan. 15), Santa Rita (53-47, Jan. 22), Bisbee (48-31, Jan. 27), and Saint Augustine (67-31, Feb. 2); Bisbee over Tombstone (58-44, Dec. 8), Santa Rita (51-48, Jan. 20), Saint Augustine (54-42, Jan. 29), and San Miguel (69-50, Feb. 2); Saint Augustine over Santa Rita (58-47, Jan. 6), Benson (75-63, Jan. 20), San Miguel (47-44, Jan. 22), and Tombstone (44-32, Feb. 4); Santa Rita over San Miguel (64-32, Jan. 8) and Tombstone (39-25, Jan. 27); Tombstone over San Miguel (51-21, Jan. 20).
3A No. 7 Thatcher Eagles (13-3 seeding, 14.7318)
Thatcher (19-7 overall, 13-3 seeding, 6-1 region) is averaging a 66-54 (1,714-1,410) score per game or a 12-point margin through 26 games.
A 12-member roster has six seniors, four juniors, a sophomore, and a freshman. The seniors are Braden Bryce (13), Chad Johnson (30), Brigham Palmer (3), Isaac Palmer (33), Dylan Riney (31), and Bronson Stringfellow (24), juniors Jay Carter (12), Brant Duncan (2), Wade Hull (11), and Hudson Lopeman (1); sophomore Kase Palmer (23); and freshman JayLeon Way (10).
The Kyle Hull-coached Eagles are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region, along with the Safford Bulldogs, the Tucson schools Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, Catalina Trojans, Empire Ravens, Palo Verde Magnet Titans, Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, Sabino Sabercats, and Tanque Verde Hawks.
3A No. 21 Safford Bulldogs (9-8 seeding, 5.5388 rating)
Safford (13-14 overall, 9-8 seeding, 4-3 region) is averaging a 60-62 (1,618-1,679) score per game or a 2-point deficit through 27 games.
A 12-member roster includes four seniors, four juniors, and four sophomores. The seniors are Fernando Felix (5), Mason Hatch (3), Grady Lackner (4), and Royal Smith (15); juniors Aaron Barnes (11), Jacob Gomez (22), Dane Jacobson (10), and Cade Kenehan (25); and sophomores Kaybian Chavez (12), Lamar Ellis (20), Trae Gaines (24), and Hayden Larson (14).
The Danny Smith-coached Bulldogs are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region, along with the Thatcher Eagles, the Tucson schools Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, Catalina Trojans, Empire Ravens, Palo Verde Magnet Titans, Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, Sabino Sabercats, and Tanque Verde Hawks.
3A State Rankings
The state rankings for the Top 24 of 45 statewide 3A schools at noon on Feb. 5 were Chandler Valley Christian (15-2 seeding, 22.4898 rating) No. 2, Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (16-2, 20.8759) No. 3, Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (15-2, 19.6830) No. 3, Chandler Seton Catholic Prep (14-3, 16.6247) No. 4, Payson (14-5, 16.1620) No. 5, Coolidge (13-5, 14.9565) No. 6, Thatcher (13-3, 14.7318) No. 7, and Chinle (14-4, 13.9532) No. 8.
Gilbert Christian (10-7, 13.2066) was No. 9, Holbrook (13-4, 13.0483) No. 10, Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (13-4, 12.1347) No. 11, Yuma Catholic (11-6, 11.0531) No. 12, Snowflake (10-7, 10.8042) No. 13, Mohave Valley River Valley (16-1, 9.7233) No. 14, Florence (11-6, 9.0507) No. 15, and Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (12-6, 8.7885) No. 16.
Winslow (11-7, 8.2409) was No. 17, Whiteriver Alchesay (11-7, 8.2295) No. 18, Tucson Sabino (11-7, 5.7063) No. 19, Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (11-7, 5.6099) No. 20, Safford (9-8, 5.5388) No. 21, Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (7-10, 5.3706) No. 22, Tuba City (10-7, 4.4278) No. 23, and Phoenix Northwest Christian (6-11, 3.1075) No. 24.
The state rankings for the other four 3A South Region members were Tanque Verde (8-7, 0.6059) No. 27, Empire (8-9, minus 1.2084) No. 31, Catalina (1-16, minus 16.5366) No. 42, and Andrada Polytechnic (0-17, minus 21.6431) No. 44.
3A South Region Standings
Standings for the 3A South Region as of Feb. 3 were Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (18-5 overall, 15-2 seeding, 6-1 region), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (16-6, 13-4, 6-1), Thatcher (19-7, 13-3, 6-1), Safford (13-14, 9-8, 4-3), Sabino (16-11, 11-7, 4-3), Tucson Tanque Verde (10-11, 8-7, 3-4), Tucson Empire (9-13, 8-9, 2-5), Tucson Catalina (1-20, 1-16, 1-7), and Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (0-20, 0-17, 0-8).
Region results are Palo Verde Magnet over Safford (81-60, Jan. 13), Pusch Ridge (54-53, Jan. 16), Sabino (67-51, Jan. 20), Empire (77-43, Jan. 28), Catalina (59-26, Jan. 30), and Tanque Verde (73-39, Feb. 3); Pusch Ridge over Sabino (63-47, Jan. 13), Thatcher (49-46, Jan. 21), Tanque Verde (60-57, Jan. 26),Andrada Polytechnic (73-21, Jan. 28), Safford (85-70, Jan. 31), and Catalina (63-46, Feb. 3); Thatcher over Andrada Polytechnic (84-17, Dec. 12), Catalina (76-29, Jan. 13), Palo Verde Magnet 64-57, Jan. 26), Safford (63-48, Jan. 28), Tanque Verde (77-60, Jan. 30), and Empire (70-45, Feb. 3); Safford over Catalina (64-33, Jan. 9), Empire (51-48, Jan. 20), Andrada Polytechnic (53-48, Jan. 22), and over Sabino (75-70, Jan. 26); Sabino over Empire (76-58, Jan. 16), Tanque Verde (74-52, Jan. 21), Catalina (69-28), and Andrada Polytechnic (78-23, Feb. 3); Tanque Verde over Empire (79-71, Jan. 13), Andrada Polytechnic (70-38, Jan. 16), and Catalina (66-49, Jan. 20); Empire over Catalina (54-20, Jan. 21) and Andrada Polytechnic (51-24, Jan. 30); and Catalina over Andrada Polytechnic (44-37, Jan. 26).
Thatcher – 70, Empire – 45 (Feb. 3)
Thatcher edged Empire 11-10 after the opening quarter, and a 20-6 second quarter gave the Eagles a 31-16 halftime advantage. Thatcher led 50-36 heading into the fourth quarter, and a 20-9 outing cemented the region win. The Eagles had double-digit scoring in all four quarters, while Empire did so in only two.
The home team connected on 31 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 4-9 free throws compared to 15 field goals (five 3-pointers) plus 10-20 free throws by the visitors.
Senior Bronson Stringfellow tallied 18 points on seven field goals (four 3-pointers), and seniors Chad Johnson and Isaac Palmer 13 each, both on six field goals plus 1-1 free throws. Junior Braden Bryce added seven points, junior Wade Hull six, senior Dylan Riney five, seniors Rhett Lunt and Brigham Palmer, junior Brant Duncan, and freshman JayLeon Way two apiece.
For Empire, junior Cameron Tanner had 16 points on five field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 4-5 free throws, and sophomore Isaac Buchanan had 13 on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 4-9 free throws. Junior Nathan Burton added nine points, junior Jayden Lopez four, junior Desmond Davidson two, and junior Christian Zuniga one.
Ray – 71, Duncan – 68 (Jan. 30)
Duncan outscored the visiting Ray Bearcats 21-17 in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to overcome the 7-point three-quarters deficit. The Bearcats led 21-17 after the first quarter, 41-29 at halftime, and 54-47 heading into the fourth quarter.
The score was tied four times during the first quarter: 2-2, 4-4, 14-14, and 17-17 with 1:21 left. Ray sophomore James Fuerstenberg broke the tie 31 seconds later, and the Bearcats never relinquished the lead thereafter. Senior Isaiah Sumners’ field goal with no time left provided the final 3-point deficit.
Ray sophomore Chase Chester and junior Seth Wade combined for all but 13 of the team points against Duncan during the 1A East Region pairing. Chester turned in a game-high 30 points, and Wade 28.
On the evening, Duncan netted 29 field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 7-16 free throws versus 27 field goals (nine 3-pointers) plus 8-16 free throws by Ray.
Sumner contributed 24 points on 10 field goals plus 4-7 free throws, junior Dayton Penry 13 on six field goals plus 1-2 free throws, and senior Taygen Jensen 11 on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 2-3 free throws. Senior Pablo Ruiz added eight points, senior Tanner Giacoletti six, sophomore Jared Kempton four, and Mark Bejarano two.
For Ray, Chester netted 30 points on11 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 6-10 free throws, and Wade 28 on 11 field goals (six 3-pointers) plus 0-2 free throws. Junior R.J. Nunez added five points, sophomore Jessie James four, and both junior Damien Lechuga and Fuerstenberg two each.
Morenci – 67, Benson – 55 (Jan. 27)
The South Region pairing between 5-1 teams Morenci and Benson would nearly assure second place, with both having one game remaining. There would be three lead changes before the host Wildcats took the lead for good.
Trailing 6-9, Luke Chapman drilled a 3-pointer 17 seconds out of a timeout to tie 9-9 with 2:56 left in the first quarter. The Benson junior added a field goal 17 seconds later to give the Bobcats a 2-point, 11-9 advantage. However, Morenci senior Adrian McCallum sank two of three free throws to tie 11-11, and junior Aymen Abdulqader made an inside jumper plus the And-1 to give the Wildcats a 14-11 advantage. Although Benson went 4-2 during the closing seconds, Morenci led 16-15 heading into the second quarter.
The Wildcats led 41-29 at halftime and 53-37 heading into the fourth quarter. An 18-12 outing was not enough to neutralize the 16-point three-quarters deficit.
For the game, Morenci made 26 field goals (eight 3-pointers) plus 7-15 free throws compared to 22 field goals (five 3-pointers) plus 6-8 free throws by Benson.
McCallum netted a game-high 28 points on 11 field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 3-7 free throws, freshman Marcus Najar 16 on six field goals (four 3-pointers), and Abdulqader 13 on five field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 2-4 free throws. Junior Adrian McCabe added six points and sophomore Deegan Miller four.
For Benson, senior Dawson Judd totaled 23 points on nine field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 2-2 free throws, Chapman 14 on six field goals (two 3-pointers), and junior Jason Santo12 on five field goals plus 2-2 free throws. Junior R.J. Montijo added two points, and both senior Kellen Deskins and sophomore Cohen Barney one each.
