Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Aniyah Fallow (14) moves into position for a rebound against Bisbee sophomores Rosa Moreno (22) and Nicole Ceja (3). The free throw attempt dropped through the net. Morenci defeated Bisbee 51-33 on Jan. 8 and Tombstone 54-44 on Jan. 12, but fell 25-69 to Pima on Jan. 11. The No. 9 Wildcats visit No. 21 Willcox on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and host No. 36 Santa Rita on Friday, Jan. 19.
Wildcats ranked in the Top 10 statewide
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Wildcats visit Willcox on Tuesday, Jan. 16, and host Tuscon Santa Rita on Friday, Jan. 19, both for region contests.
In other region pairings this week (Jan. 15-20), Santa Rita hosts Benson and Tombstone hosts Bisbee on Jan. 16; Benson hosts Bisbee and Pima hosts Tombstone on Jan. 19.
The non-region pairings have Pima visiting Lakeside Blue Ridge on Wednesday, Jan. 17; and Tombstone hosting Duncan on Saturday, Jan. 20.
Pima defeated Safford 54-40 and Tombstone defeated Empire 62-6 on Jan. 15.
No. 21 Willcox Cowgirls (8-11 overall)
The Susie Pritchard-coached Willcox Cowgirls (8-11 overall, 6-5 seeding, 2-4 East Region for sixth of eight) are averaging a 41-43 (783-817) score per game or a 2-point deficit.
Willcox has seeding wins over Globe (56-45, Nov. 17), Patagonia (46-40 in OT, Dec. 4), Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (54-16, Dec. 13), Bisbee (49-25, Jan. 2), Benson (59-46, Jan. 8), and Santa Rita (57-19, Jan. 11). The losses are to San Carlos (41-73, Nov. 28), Pima (14-69, Dec. 15), Morenci (45-50, Dec. 6), Duncan (24-39, Dec. 18), and Tombstone (41-49, Dec. 19).
In addition, the Cowgirls went a combined 2-6 during two 3-day tourneys attended. They went 0-2 during the Amphitheater tourney on Nov. 20-22 and 2-4 during the Benson tourney on Dec. 14-16. The wins were over Tucson Empire (41-7, Dec. 15) and Empire (49-20, Dec. 16) while losses were to Joseph City (36-56, Nov. 20), Tucson Amphitheater (32-63, Nov. 22), Amphitheater (30-59, Dec. 14), Tombstone (32-44, Dec. 14), Douglas (36-60, Dec. 15), and Amphitheater (26-39, Dec. 16).
An 11-member roster includes senior Mia Mungarro (4); juniors Maddie Bennett (14), Darlene Cecena (1), Jesmin Ceballos (2), Layla Donahue (10), and Gabriela Galaz (15); sophomore Addison Burright (11), Kennedy Ebert (12), Evelyn Galaz (21), and Darelyis Ruiz (3); and freshman Paislee Adams (13).
No. 36 Santa Rita Eagles (1-13)
The Joseph Economides-coached Santa Rita Eagles (1-13 overall, 1-8 seeding, 0-5 East Region for eighth) are averaging a 22-56 (307-784) score per game or a 34-point deficit.
Santa Rita has a seeding win over Eloy Santa Cruz (61-25, Dec. 14). The losses are to Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (31-56, Nov. 28), Gilbert San Tan Charter (36-50, Nov. 30), Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (14-58, Dec. 4), Benson (8-56, Dec. 7), Morenci (23-57, Dec. 12), Bisbee (16-58, Jan. 5), Pima (4-59, Jan. 8), and Willcox (19-59, Jan. 11).
Five other losses occurred during the 2-day Phoenix Country Day School tourney on Dec. 1-3. They were to Salome (12-54, Dec. 1), Camp Verde (22-76, Dec. 1), Saint Johns (22-76, Dec. 1), Tucson Desert Christian (8-37, Dec. 2), and Camp Verde (31-65, Dec. 2).
A 13-member roster has seniors Jayla Braham (11), Karlie Hrobsky (5), Amaris Shay (13), and Trinity Vasquez; juniors Naima Gomez (4), Delijah Reyes (10), Kayiden Taylor (3); sophomores Destiny Cota (15), Zaniya Jackson (20), Lyric Purdie-Stevenson, and Maile Robello (14); and freshmen Proud Chananam (22) and Alizandra Jimenez-Varela (23).
No. 9 Morenci Wildcats (9-9)
The Albert Ortega-coached Morenci Wildcats (9-9 overall, 7-4 seeding, 6-1 East Region) are averaging a 40-44 (725-787) score per game or a 4-point deficit.
Morenci has seeding wins over Elfrida Valley Union (39-22, Dec. 4), Willcox (50-45, Dec. 6), Tucson Santa Rita (57-23, Dec. 12), Benson (53-41, Dec. 18), Tombstone (53-40, Jan. 5), Bisbee (51-33, Jan. 8), and Tombstone (54-44, Jan. 12). The losses are to San Carlos (28-61, Nov. 20), Saint David (27-46, Nov. 27), Eagar Round Valley (28-54, Jan. 2), and Pima (25-69, Jan. 11).
Additionally, the Wildcats posted a combined 2-5 record in two 3-day tourneys. They went 1-3 during the Round Valley tourney on Dec. 7-9 and 1-2 during the EAC tourney on Dec. 27-29. The wins were over Heber Mogollon (37-28, Dec. 7) and Valley Union (60-40, Dec. 29) while the losses were to Saint Johns (29-55, Dec. 7), Whiteriver Alchesay (17-59, Dec. 8), Holbrook (46-47, Dec. 8), Saint David (33-35, Dec. 27) and Safford (38-45, Dec. 28).
Seniors Ciantae Dosela (24), Aniyah Fallow (14), Anita Gonzalez (11), and Elena Leonard (5); juniors Talia McCabe (1), Tayah Wilkes (4), and Jayla Wilson (3); sophomores Adriana Carbajal (12), Rozlyn Funari (10), and Jaliyah Hernandez (44); and freshmen Tiara Jones (20) and Mayeli Salazar (13) are on the squad.
2A East Region Standings
The 2A East Region standings following 21 games through Jan. 15 are Pima (14-3 overall, 8-1 seeding, 6-0 region), Morenci (9-9, 7-4, 6-1), Willcox (8-11*, 6-5, 3-3), Benson (12-8, 6-4, 3-3), Tombstone (11-10, 5-6, 2-4), Bisbee (4-10, 2-8, 1-5), and Tucson Santa Rita (1-13, 1-8, 0-5).
Pima (6-0) has region wins over Willcox (69-14, Dec. 1), Tombstone (56-33, Dec. 12), Bisbee (67-24, Dec. 15), Santa Rita (57-4, Jan. 8), Benson (72-9, Jan. 19), and Morenci (69-25, Jan. 11). Beginning at No. 6, the No. 2 Roughriders are averaging a 53-30 (898-505) score per game or a 23-point margin through 17 games.
Morenci (6-1) has region wins over Willcox (50-45, Dec. 6), Santa Rita (57-43, Dec. 12), Benson (53-41, Dec. 18), Tombstone (53-40, Jan. 5), Bisbee (51-33, Jan. 8), and Tombstone (54-44, Jan. 12). The No. 9 Wildcats are averaging a 40-44 (725-787) score per game or a 4-point deficit through 18 games.
Willcox (3-3) has region wins over Tombstone (58-50, Dec. 19), Benson (59-46, Jan. 8), and Santa Rita (57-19, Jan. 11). Remaining at No. 21, the Cowgirls are averaging a 41-43 (783-817) score per game or a 2-point deficit through 19 games.
Benson (3-3) has region wins over Santa Rita (56-8, Dec. 7), Bisbee (49-41, Dec. 12), and Tombstone (82-35, Jan. 11). Starting at No. 20, the No. 18 Bobcats are averaging a 48-39 (961-773) score per game or a 9-point margin through 20 games.
Tombstone (2-4) has region wins over Bisbee (63-31, Dec. 7) and Willcox (49-41, Dec. 19). Initially at No. 18, the No. 20 Yellow Jackets are averaging a 42-32 (872-678) score per game or a 10-point margin through 21 games.
Bisbee (1-5) has a region win over Santa Rita (58-16, Jan. 5). The No. 31 Pumas are averaging a 35-45 (484-631) score per game or a 10-point deficit through 14 games.
The No. 36, up from No. 37, Santa Rita Eagles (0-5) are averaging a 22-56 (307-784) score per game or a 34-point deficit through 14 games.
2A State Rankings
The 2A state rankings coming out of the weekend had 5-7 teams from the East Region in the Top 24, 4-6 from both the Metro and Valley Regions, 4-7 from the North Region, 3-6 from the West Region, 2-5 from the Central Region, and 2-6 from the South Region.
San Carlos was No. 1 (10-1 seeding, 16.4753 rating), Pima No. 2 (8-1, 15.6415), Miami No. 3 (11-1, 14.9394), Phoenix Country Day School No. 4 (5-1, 14.3757), Saint Johns No. 5 (9-2, 13.2911), Phoenix Horizon Honors No. 6 (8-1, 13.0574), Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated No. 7 (8-0, 12.3733), Glendale Prep No. 8 (8-1, 6.8571), Morenci No. 9 (6-4, 6.8571), and Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic No. 10 (8-1, 6.5791).
Scottsdale Prep was No. 11 (8-2, 6.2660), Phoenix Arizona Lutheran No. 12 (6-2, 6.2260), Gilbert Leading Edge No. 13 (9-4, 5.8289), Scottsdale Rancho Solano Prep No. 14 (7-2, 5.4141), Eagar Round Valley No. 15 (6-5, 5.2721), Sanders Valley No. 16 (6-4, 4.4120), Gilbert Classical No. 17 (8-4, 4.3686), Benson No. 18 (6-3, 4.1888), Kingman Academy No. 19 (7-1, 3.9059), and Tombstone No. 20 (5-5, 2.6722).
Willcox was No. 21 (6-5, 2.3089), Phoenix Veritas Prep No. 22 (5-3, 2.1203), Many Farms No. 23 (8-5, 0.2172), and Phoenix Basis No. 24 (5-2, minus 1.0113).
Initial rankings on Jan. 9 had San Carlos No. 1 (10-1 seeding, 16.3606 rating), Miami No. 2 (9-1, 15.8087), Horizon Honors No. 3 (6-1, 14.3096), Phoenix Country Day No. 4 (4-1, 13.5137), Saint Johns No. 5 (8-2, 12.8585), Pima No. 6 (5-1, 12.6765), Mohave Accelerated No. 7 (8-0, 12.6258), Glendale Prep No. 8 (6-1, 11.0778), Morenci No. 9 (6-3, 7.9531), and Scottsdale Prep was No. 10 (8-1, 7.9307).
Saint Augustine was No. 11 (7-1, 6.7870), Round Valley No. 12 (6-4, 6.3857), Leading Edge No. 13 (8-4, 5.4945), Rancho Solano Prep No. 14 (6-2, 5.1160), Sanders Valley No. 15 (6-4, 4.6699), Gilbert Classical No. 16 (8-4, 4.6347), Tombstone No. 17 (4-4, 4.5384), Arizona Lutheran No. 18 (5-2, 4.4131), Kingman Academy No. 19 (6-1, 4.3404), and Benson No. 20 (5-2, 3.4714).
Willcox was No. 21 (5-5, 2.2527), Veritas Prep No. 22 (5-3, 1.7475), Many Farms No. 23 (7-5, 0.1825), and Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic No. 24 (5-4, minus 0.7785).
Morenci – 54, Tombstone – 44
Although the Wildcats scored in double figures in only two of the quarters, they did not allow a 15-8 Tombstone fourth-quarter outing to dampen their spirits. Morenci already had a 44-29 advantage before the final eight minutes got underway. They also led 28-18 at halftime and 23-10 after the first quarter.
Six different Wildcats contributed to their early advantage, paced by Leonard’s dozen points She was followed with three each from Dosela and Wilson, two from both Funari and Jones, and one from Cordova.
Morenci totaled 21 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 10-18 free throws versus 20 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 10-18 free throws by Tombstone.
Leonard tallied 26 points on 10 field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 5-5 free throws and Funari 10 on four field goals plus 2-3 free throws. Jones and Wilson added six points apiece, Dosela three, Salazar two, and Cordova one.
Jones hauled down seven of 19 rebounds, Funari six, and Fallow five; Leonard had seven of 27 steals, and both Funari and Wilson six apiece; and Funari made three of 10 assists.
Tombstone got 19 points from junior Rachel Thursby (3) on eight field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 0-1 free throws and 18 from junior Briella Schuller (21) on eight field goals plus 2-6 free throws. Junior Emma Rivera (5) added four points, junior Brooklynn Penrose (13) two, and both juniors Jessa Maldonado (30) and Ed’Jerrica Spencer (2) two apiece.
Pima – 69, Morenci – 25
Pima jumped out to a 10-4 first-quarter advantage, as the Wildcats could muster a lone 3-pointer and 1-6 free throws. Morenci was unable to get untracked, trailing 5-31 at halftime and 15-58 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats made eight field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 11-18 free throws versus 26 field goals (six 3-pointers) plus 11-21 free throws by the Roughriders.
Funari had nine points, Cordova six, Leonard and Salazar four apiece, and Carbajal two. Dosela came down with three of nine rebounds, Funari grabbed five of 15 steals, and Cordova made the lone assist.
For Pima, senior Lea Llamas netted 16 points on six field goals plus 4-4 free throws, senior Madison Gann 12 on four 3-pointers, junior Sadie Richardson 11 on four field goals plus 3-8 free throws, and junior Addison Hoopes 10 on five field goals. Senior Jessica Schmidt added five points, senior Ella Wiltbank and freshman Hanna Ashby four apiece, junior Kelsi Brimhall three, and junior Kennedy Minor and sophomore Macy Allred two each.
Morenci – 51, Bisbee – 33
Morenci expanded on a 15-13 first-quarter edge with a 16-2 second-quarter effort, leading 31-15 at halftime and 41-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
For the game, Morenci connected on 19 field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 12-20 free throws compared to 12 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 3-9 free throws by Bisbee.
Following the completion of her 73rd varsity game, Leonard walked off the court with a career, game, and team-high 28 points on 11 field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 5-5 free throws. Jones added eight points, Carbajal four, Funari and Salazar three apiece, Dosela and McCabe two each, and Wilson one.
Jones had 10 of 35 rebounds, Carbajal seven, and Wilkes five; Funari made two of five assists; and Wilson came away with six of 21 steals.
For Bisbee, sophomore Alyssa Lopez (11) 14 on six field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 1-3 free throws, and junior Yaslin Hernandez (15) 10 on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 1-2 free throws. Senior Janitzia Avechuco (4) added three points, senior Bella Banuett (10) and sophomores Nicole Ceja (3) and Rosa Moreno (22) two apiece.
