Apaches meet Warriors; Riders draw Falcons for quarters
By Raymundo Frasquillo
DUNCAN – The No. 6 Eldon Merrell-coached Duncan Wildkats (16-4 seeding, 5.0538 rating) face the No. 3 Heber Mogollon Mustangs (14-4, 9.4899) on the El Mirage Dysart campus, 11425 North Dysart Rd. on Friday, Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. It is for the quarterfinal round of the 1A state tourney.
The 1A No. 2 Lee Haws-coached Fort Thomas Apaches (15-3, 12.8723) meet the No. 7 Sells Baboquivari Warriors (16-3, 5.0538) on the Surprise Shadow Ridge campus, 10909 North Perryville Road; and the 2A No. 6 Pima Roughriders (13-5, 11.9814) travel to the No. 3 Fountain Hills Falcons (15-2, 13.8920), both for 7 p.m. starts.
In prior pairings this season, Duncan has a 23-point loss to the Mustangs (21-44, Dec. 20) and Fort Thomas a 30-point (65-35, Jan. 8) triumph over the Warriors. Pima and Fountain Hills have not met.
Duncan – 26, San Simon – 24
Duncan had averaged a score of 35-12 (141-48) per game during four previous pairings with San Simon this season, 40-8 (Dec. 17) in a Duncan seeding game, 33-17 (Dec. 19), and 35-14 (Dec. 20) in the Mogollon tourney, and 33-9 (Jan. 23) in a San Simon seeding game.
Coaches will tell you it is difficult to beat an opponent three times during the same season. It proved to be so a fifth time during a first-round state tourney pairing on Feb. 17.
The visiting No. 11 San Simon Longhorns outscored the No. 6 Wildkats 14-6 during the fourth quarter. San Simon added three field goals plus 8-17 free throws compared to two field goals plus 2-9 free throws by Duncan. But, it was not enough to off-set a 10-point three-quarters deficit, resulting in the guests walking off the court with a season-ending 2-point loss and the Wildkats with a quarterfinal berth.
Duncan led 5-1 following the first quarter, 16-7 at halftime, and 20-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
On the evening, Duncan connected on 10 field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 5-16 free throws versus seven field goals plus 10-23 free throws by San Simon. There were no players contributing double-digit scoring.
Sophomore Paisley Patton had eight points, senior Emily Kempton six, senior Camille Miller and sophomore Sofia Harris five apiece, and freshman Elvalie Vigil two.
For San Simon, seniors Betsabe Castellanos, Hollie Keil, and freshman Bryleigh Sloan had six points apiece, freshman Alexa Newell three, junior Evelyn Lopez two, and sophomore Alyzon Corrales one.
1A State Tourney Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals of the 1A state tourney has No. 1 Joseph City (18-1 seeding, 15.7871 rating) versus No. 9 Salome (10-3, 0.5309) on the Avondale Agua Fria campus, 530 East Riley Drive at 5 p.m.; No. 4 Saint David (12-4, 8.9446) versus No. 5 Rock Point (13-3, 6.6347) on the Goodyear Desert Edge campus, 15778 West Yuma Road at 5 p.m.; No. 3 Mogollon (14-4, 9.4899) versus No. 6 Duncan (16-4, 5.0538) on the Dysart campus at 5 p.m.; and No. 2 Fort Thomas Apaches (15-3, 12.8723) versus No. 7 Sells Baboquivari (16-3, 5.0538) on the Shadow Ridge campus at 5 p.m.
1A State Tourney Round One
Round One of the 1A state tourney had eliminations for No. 8 Ash Fork (14-4, 4.4860) 38-22 by No. 9 Salome (10-3, 0.5309), No. 12 California Winterhaven San Pasqual (9 -4, minus 0.5907) 64-35 by No. 5 Rock Point (13-3, 6.6347), No. 13 Dishchii’bikoh (10-7, minus 1.6904) 66-32 by No. 4 Saint David (12-4, 8.9446), No. 11 San Simon (14-4, minus 0.5547) 26-24 by No. 6 Duncan (16-4, 5.0538), and No. 10 Cicero Prep (12-6, 0.4828) 42-32 by No. 7 Sells Baboquivari (16-3, 5.0538).
The top three teams, No. 1 Joseph City, No. 2 Fort Thomas, and No. 3 Mogollon, had a bye until the quarterfinals.
1A State Play-in Round
The Play-in Round teams ousted were No. 25 Colorado City El Capitan (5-9, minus 11.1776) 60-29 by No. 2 Fort Thomas (15-3, 12.8723), No. 24 Saint Michael (5-13, minus 10.4746) 70-10 by No. 3 Mogollon (14-4 seeding, 9.4899 rating), No. 23 Peach Springs Music Mountain (4-10, minus 10.4443) 51-10 by No. 4 Saint David (12-4, 8.9446), No. 22 Elfrida Valley Union (6-11, minus 9.8393) 55-31 by No. 5 Rock Point (13-3, 6.6347), No. 21 Winkelman Hayden (8-9, minus 7.4130) 41-14 by No. 6 Duncan (16-4, 5.0538), No. 20 North Phoenix Prep (11-7, minus 6.4564) 46-14 by No. 7 Baboquivari (16-3, 5.0538).
Also eliminated were No. 19 Grand Canyon (9-8, minus 6.1478) 54-14 by No. 8 Ash Fork (14-4, 4.4860), No. 18 Teec Nos Red Mesa (6-9, minus 5.3518) 59-52 by No. 9 Salome (10-3, 0.5309) as No. 9, No. 17 Williams (8-10, minus 3.8913) 42-39 by No. 10 Cicero Prep (12-6, 0.4828), No. 16 Fredonia (8-5, minus 3.7442) 36-22 by No. 11 San Simon (14-4, minus 0.5547), No. 15 Valley Lutheran (10-7, minus 3.2687) 39-28 by No. 12 California Winterhaven San Pasqual (9-4, minus 0.5907), and No. 13 Phoenix Maryvale Prep (15-3, minus 0.6956) 48-22 by No. 14 Dishchii’bikoh (10-7, minus 1.6904).
1A No. 6 Duncan Wildkats (23-6)
The Eldon Merrell-coached Duncan Wildkats (23-6 overall, 16-4 seeding, 6-1 1A East Region) are averaging an overall score of 33-23 (936-654) per game or a 10-point margin through 29 games.
Duncan had seeding wins over Superior (45-7, Nov. 22), Scottsdale Cicero Prep (24-23, Nov. 23), San Manuel (42-7, Nov. 26), ASDB (48-15, Dec. 3), Dishchii’bikoh (37-34, Dec. 6), San Simon (40-8, Dec. 17), Elfrida Valley Union (34-28, Jan. 6), Superior (44-16, Jan. 7), Valley Lutheran (38-37, Jan. 10), Hayden (34-8, Jan. 16), San Manuel (46-10, Jan. 21), San Simon (33-9, Jan. 23), Hayden (33-12, Jan. 28), Santa Rita (42-23, Jan. 29), and Ray (41-19, Jan. 31).
The losses are to Saint David (13-44, Dec. 4), Fort Thomas (21-55, Dec. 10), Fort Thomas (27-60, Jan. 14), and Willcox (36-49, Feb. 3).
Additionally, the Wildkats went 5-1 during the 2-day Heber Mogollon tourney, 0-1 during the East Region tourney, 1-0 during the play-in round, and 1-0 during the state tourney first round. Duncan defeated 6A Desert Southwest Region San Luis (34-13, Dec. 19), San Simon (33-17, Dec. 19), 2A North Region Tuba City Greyhills (46-11, Dec. 20), San Luis (29-24, Dec. 20), San Simon (35-14, Dec. 20), Hayden (41-14, Feb. 13), and San Simon (26-24, Feb. 17). The losses were to 1A Central Region Mogollon (21-44, Dec. 20) and Cicero Prep (24-30, Feb. 7).
Duncan has a 10-member roster of two seniors, one junior, five sophomores, and two freshmen. The roster includes seniors Emily Kempton (14) and Camille Miller (11); junior Emily Evans (24); sophomores Lily Ford (20), Sophia Harris (15), Makenzie Jones (30), Heidi Miller (22), and Paisley Patton (23); and freshmen Haley Bigler (50) and Elvalie Vigil (12).
The Wildkats competed in the 8-member 1A East Region with the Cicero Prep Centurians, the Fort Thomas Apaches, the Hayden Lobos, the Ray Bearcats, the San Manuel Miners, the Superior Panthers, and the Valley Lutheran Flames.
1A No. 2 Fort Thomas Apaches (28-5)
The Lee Haws-coached Fort Thomas Apaches (28-5 overall, 15-3 seeding, 7-0 1A South Region) are averaging an overall score of 59-34 (1,953-1,138) per game or a 25-point margin through 33 games.
Fort Thomas had seeding wins over Duncan (55-21, Dec. 10), Superior (69-10, Dec. 17), Hayden (55-20, Jan. 7), Baboquivari (65-35, Jan. 8), Mogollon (48-36, Jan. 10), Rock Point (68-56, Jan. 11), Duncan (60-27, Jan. 14), Dishchii’bikoh (56-28, Jan. 16), Salome (55-41, Jan. 17), Saint David (62-27, Jan. 21), Cicero Prep (68-31, Jan. 22), Valley Lutheran (62-28, Jan. 24), Ray (86-23, Jan. 28), Saint Michael (78-23, Feb. 1), and San Manuel (61-48, Feb. 4). The losses were to Many Farms (44-50, Nov. 26), San Carlos (37-54, Dec. 4), and Joseph City (40-63, Jan. 31).
In addition, the Apaches went 6-1 during the 3-day Round Valley tourney, 4-1 during the 3-day Eastern Arizona Holiday tourney, 2-0 during the East Region tourney, and 1-0 during the play-in round. The wins were over Safford (69-42, Dec. 12), Sanders Valley (60-44, Dec. 12), Lakeside Blue Ridge (57-23, Dec. 13), Eagar Round Valley (53-36, Dec. 14), Whiteriver Alchesay (56-49, Dec. 14), San Carlos (49-44, Dec. 14), Tucson Empire (78-13, Dec. 19), Morenci (66-16, Dec. 19), Peoria Centennial (59-22, Dec. 20), Saint David (60-27, Dec. 21), Valley Lutheran (65-37, Feb. 7), Cicero Prep (53-19, Feb. 8), and Colorado City El Capitan (60-29, Feb. 13) as well as losses to Holbrook (54-63, Dec. 13) and Snowflake (45-53, Dec. 20).
Fort Thomas has a 13-member team of one senior, five juniors, four sophomores, and three freshmen. The roster includes senior Adaia Lorenzo (23); juniors Leia Begay (5), Kaylee Benally (33), Makayla Chapman (25), Raeleigh Hawkins (15), and Kirah Moses (44); sophomores Kynnedee Bryce (45), Corey Cody (10), Jamie Johnson (14), and Alycia Sanchez (30); and freshmen Carmen Antonio (34), Tyshara Garland (50), and Leilynn Wesley (3).
The Apaches competed in the 8-member 1A East Region with the Cicero Prep Centurions, the Duncan Wildkats, the Hayden Lobos, the Ray Bearcats, the San Manuel Miners, the Superior Panthers, and the Valley Lutheran Flames.
2A State Tourney Quarterfinals
The 2A state tourney quarterfinals will all start at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21. The upper bracket features top seed Miami (18-0 seeding, 20.1981 rating) hosting No. 8 Tombstone (15-2, 10.2399) and No. 4 Saint Johns (15-3) hosting No. 5 Glendale Prep (14-4, 12.6478).
The lower bracket has No. 3 Fountain Hills (15-2, 13.8920) hosting No. 6 Pima (13-5, 11.9814) and No. 2 San Carlos (16-2, 17.1392) hosting No. 7 Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (13-5, 11.8636).
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum hosts the semifinals on Thursday, Feb. 27, and the final on Saturday, March 1.
2A State Tourney Round One
Round One of the 2A state tourney on Feb. 17 resulted in eliminating No. 9 Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (13-4, 8. 0679) 75-43 by No. 8 Tombstone, No. 12 Eagar Round Valley (12-6, 6.6386) 40-29 by No. 5 Glendale Prep, and No. 13 Benson (11-6, 4.1839) 49-29 by No. 4 Saint Johns in the upper bracket.
The lower bracket had losses of 50-31 by No. 14 Sanders Valley (10-8, 4.0074), to No. 3 Fountain Hills, 58-26 by No. 11 Phoenix Horizon Honors (11-8, 6.7411) to No. 6 Pima, and 59-34 by No. 10 Willcox (14-4, 7.3013) to No. 7 Arizona Lutheran.
Top seed Miami (18-0) and No. 2 San Carlos (16-2) had a bye through the quarterfinals.
2A State Play-in Round
The Feb. 13 Play-in Round at the higher seed had eliminations for No. 25 Phoenix Christian (16-2, 21.3309) 55-31 by No. 6 Glendale Prep, No. 24 Chandler Lincoln Prep (9-9, 1.1588) 72-22 by No. 7 Pima (13-5, 11.9814), No. 23 Phoenix North Valley Christian (10-7, 1.2728) 57-19 by No. 8 Arizona Lutheran (13-5, 11.8636), and No. 22 Morenci (9-8, 1.3641) 75-68 by No. 9 Tombstone.
Additionally, teams ousted were No. 21 Gilbert Classical (11-7, 1.6207) 58-29 by No. 10 Mohave Accelerated, No. 11 Kingman Academy (14-3, 8.7726) 42-41 by No. 20 Valley (10-8, 4.0074), No. 12 Scottsdale Prep (14-3, 8.6750) 27-25 by No. 19 Benson (11-6, 4.1839), No. 18 Gilbert Leading Edge (5-3, 6.3091) 50-39 by No. 13 Willcox (14-4, 7.3013), No. 17 Scottsdale Rancho Solano Prep (10-7, 4.7126) 57-52 by No. 14 Horizon Honors (11-8, 6.7411), and No. 16 Many Farms (11-6, 4.9875) 41-40 by No. 15 Round Valley (12-6, 6.6386).
2A No. 6 Pima Roughriders (21-8)
The Roy Corona-coached Pima Roughriders (19-8 overall, 13-5 seeding, 6-2 2A East Region) are averaging an overall score of 53-29 (1,418-794) per game or a 24-point margin through 29 games.
Pima had seeding wins over Benson (59-28, Dec. 3), Eagar Round Valley (52-22, Dec. 7), Lakeside Blue Ridge (46-18, Dec. 9), Safford (61-15, Dec. 17), Scottsdale Christian (78-6, Jan. 7), Morenci (51-17, Jan. 9), Chandler Prep (46-16, Jan. 10), Arete Prep (64-6), Thatcher (50-26, Jan. 15), Leading Edge (62-32, Jan. 16), Gilbert Classical (47-30, Jan. 21), Lincoln Prep (62-33, Jan. 28), and San Tan Charter (72-11, Feb. 6) along with losses to Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (47-49, Jan. 18), Miami (42-61, Jan. 24), Arizona Lutheran (36-37, Jan. 25), San Carlos (40-49, Jan. 31), and New Mexico Silver (44-47, Feb. 1).
Additionally, the Roughriders went 4-1 during the 3-day 48th Eastern Arizona Holiday Tournament, 2-2 during the 3-day Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney, 1-0 during the play-in round, and 1-0 during the state tourney first round.
Pima topped Globe (87-7, Dec. 19), El Mirage Dysart (55-29, Dec. 19), Thatcher (55-33, Dec. 20), Saint David (80-20, Dec. 20), Chandler Arizona College Prep (39-31, Jan. 2), Glendale Deer Valley (54-47, Jan. 3), Lincoln Prep (72-22, Feb. 13), and Horizon Honors (58-26, Feb. 17). The losses were to Snowflake (27-32, Dec. 21), Queen Creek Casteel (29-41, Jan. 3), and Mesa Red Mountain (33-51, Jan. 4).
The Roughriders have an 11-member team of five seniors, two juniors, and four sophomores. The roster includes seniors Kashlee Alder (11), Kelsi Brimhall (23), Adyson Hoopes (43), Kennedy Minors (21), and Sadie Richardson (22); juniors Macy Allred (12) and Alana Apodaca (25); and sophomores Cheyanne Alder (5), Hanna Ashby (14), Page Ashby (30), and Morgan Russell (42).
Pima competed in the 9-member 2A East Region with the Miami Vandals, the San Carlos Braves, the Chandler Prep Titans, the Chandler Lincoln Prep Lightning, along with Gilbert schools Arete Prep Chargers, the Gilbert Classical Spartans, the Leading Edge Spartans, and the Gilbert San Tan Charter Roadrunners.
1A/3A State Copper (open) Tourney
Top-ranked 1A Joseph City (18-1, 15.7871) succumbed 33-41 to 3A No. 4 Show Low (14-5, 17.4455) on Feb. 11 as Copper (open) No. 11 to No. 4 during the first round.
Round One also had 2A No. 1 Phoenix Country Day School (16-2 seeding, 21.3309 rating) defeating No. 4 Fountain Hills (15-2, 13.8920) 57-32 as No. 2 versus No. 15, No. 2 Miami (18-0, 20.1981) defeating 3A No. 9 Chandler Valley Christian (15-3, 15.1069) 72-40 as No. 4 versus No. 13, No. 3 San Carlos (16-2, 17.1392) defeating 3A No. 7 Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (14-2, 16.1897) 58-52 as No. 7 versus No. 10, and 3A No. 1 Chinle (18-0, 26.8273) defeating No. 5 Saint Johns (15-3, 13.4835) 40-29 as No. 1 versus No. 16 on Feb. 11.
Surviving 2A entrants advanced to the quarterfinals, with Miami falling 27-66 to 3A No. 3 Page (11-6, 18.5260) as No. 4 versus No. 5 and Phoenix Country Day downing with San Carlos 55-34 as No. 2 versus No. 7 on Feb. 13.
The other Copper quarterfinalists, 3A No. 5 Tuba City (10-6, 17.0043), upset Chinle 48-39 as No. 8 versus No. 1 and No. 6 Show Low (14-5, 17.4455) upset No. 2 Snowflake (16-3, 21.2021) 53-45 as No. 6 versus No. 3.
The semifinals slated for Feb. 21 have Phoenix Country Day meeting Show Low as No. 2 versus No. 6 on the Phoenix Mountain Point campus, 42-1 East Knox Road, at 7 p.m. and Tuba City taking on Page as No. 8 versus No. 5 on the Kayenta Monument Valley campus at 7 p.m.
The championship game will be played at the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1826 West McDowell Rd., in Phoenix, on March 1 at 6 p.m.
