Jon Johnson File Photo/Gila Herald: Ashlie Sherwood goes up for a bucket. Pima has been the consensus No.1 team in 2A all season.
By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX – Girls basketball in the Gila Valley owns the state in historic fashion right now, as the area has the number one-ranked teams in three separate conferences, 1A – 3A.
3A
With the move up from No. 2 to No. 1 following a loss by Winslow, the Thatcher Eagles have made their debut this season at the No. 1 spot in the state in 3A after Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) rankings were released Tuesday.
Thatcher (7-0 region, 13-1 conference, 17-5 overall) has won 11 in a row and is halfway through sweeping its region with blowouts. The Eagles last beat San Tan Foothills on Monday, 50-20. They will host the Coolidge Bears on Friday, Feb. 4.
With a strong inside/outside game featuring Olivia Lunt and Jade Griffin down low with Aubrey Pace, Ashlyn Thompson, and Haley Nicholas patrolling the perimeter, Thatcher head coach Dennis Griffin has his team poised to make a deep run into the playoffs in search of the gold basketball.
2A
Defending 2A State Champion Pima Roughriders have been ranked No. 1 in the state in 2A all season long and have bested both current No. 1-ranked teams in 3A and 1A (Thatcher and Fort Thomas, respectively).
The Roughriders’ (6-0 region, 9-0 conference, 20-1 overall) only blemish came via the 4A Flagstaff Eagles at the Pepsi Holiday Tournament in Flagstaff.
The Roughriders will next travel to face Bisbee on Tuesday, Feb. 1, starting at 5:30 p.m. With a returning core including perimeters players Saydee Allred and twins Ashlie and Aubrie Sherwood, and Ashlynn Chlarson in the paint, coupled with role players who step it up with a big play in a second’s notice, such as Jayci McClain, Ella Wiltbank, and Samantha Pippo, Pima is a strong favorite in the 2A conference. Pima head coach Roy Corona has kept his team centered and focused on their goal of repeating as champions.
Pima has blown most of its opponents out this season but could face stiff competition in the playoffs from last year’s runner-up Sedona Red Rock and other teams vying for the golden ball.
1A
Defending 1A State Champion Fort Thomas (5-0 region, 15-0 conference, 24-3 overall) has also sat long atop the 1A conference this season, with losses only to 3A Holbrook and Thatcher, and 2A Pima.
Fort Thomas is led by its all-everything Jasmine Olivar, with assistance from top-notch players such as Chasinee Stanley and Hailey Hinton.
Fort Thomas head coach Lee Haws has his team ready to repeat at 1A State Champions. The Fort will play its last regular-season game at home on Tuesday, Feb. 1, against the Dishchii’bikoh Wildcats, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The 1A South & Tucson Tournament will then run Feb. 3 – 5 in St. David.
