Roughriders perched atop East Region standings
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Ruben Leonard-coached Morenci Wildcats open the week in Eagar against the 2A North Region Round Valley Elks on Monday, Jan. 13. The Wildcats return for a home region contest versus Benson on Wednesday, Jan. 15, a Tucson region trip against Saint Augustine on Thursday, Jan. 16, and a home game with 2A North Region Saint Johns on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Other region pairings for South Region members this week (Jan. 13-18) include Desert Christian visiting San Miguel on Jan. 15, Benson visiting Santa Rita, and Bisbee hosting Willcox on Jan. 16.

The non-region parings include Bisbee hosts Elfrida Valley Union and Willcox hosts Saint David on Jan. 13; Desert Christian hosts Saint Augustine, Benson hosts Sells Baboquivari, and Willcox visits Tombstone on Jan. 14; Santa Rita visits Baboquivari and Tombstone hosts Tucson Andrada Polytechnic on Jan. 16; Saint Augustine visits Nogales Lourdes Catholic on Friday, Jan. 17; and Desert Christian visits Saint David on Jan. 18.
Region pairing for the 2A East Region includes Pima hosting Gilbert Arete Prep, San Carlos hosting Gilbert San Tan Charter, Pima visiting Gilbert Classical visiting Chandler Lincoln Prep, and Miami visiting Chandler Prep on Jan. 13; and Pima hosting Gilbert Leading Edge, San Carlos visiting Gilbert Classical, Lincoln Prep visiting Miami, and San Tan Charter visiting Chandler Prep on Jan. 16.
The non-region parings include Pima visiting Thatcher and Leading Edge hosting Phoenix Arizona Lutheran on Jan. 15; San Carlos hosting Phoenix Horizon Honors on Jan. 17; and Pima hosting Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian and Miami hosting Phoenix NFL Yet on Jan. 18.
2A South Region Standings
Region standing through Jan. 12 were Tucson Desert Christian (7-1 seeding, 2-0 region) first, Morenci (6-1, 2-0) second, Benson (4-5, 2-0) third, Tucson Santa Rita (5-5, 2-0) fourth, Bisbee (4-3, 1-1) fifth, Willcox (4-4, 1-1) sixth, Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (3-5, 0-2) seventh, Tucson San Miguel Catholic (3-8, 0-2) eight, and Tombstone (1-8, 0-4) ninth.
To date, region wins have been for Morenci over Tombstone (93-50, Dec. 16) and San Miguel (76-34, Jan. 7), Desert Christian over Bisbee (66-60, Dec. 19) and Tombstone (70-50, Jan. 7), Benson over Willcox (49-46, Jan, 7) and Tombstone (71-40, Jan. 10), Santa Rita over Saint Augustine (43-38 OT, Jan. 7), Bisbee over Tombstone (74-43, Jan. 7), Willcox over Saint Augustine (51-49, Jan. 9).
2A East Region Standings
Region standing through Jan. 12 were Pima (6-1 seeding, 1-0 region) first, San Carlos (7-2, 1-0) second, Gilbert Classical (7-3, 1-0) third, Chandler Lincoln Prep (2-5, 1-0) fourth, San Tan Charter (6-4, 0-0) fifth, Arete Prep (5-4, 0-1) sixth, Miami (4-4, 0-1) seventh, Gilbert Leading Edge (3-4, 0-1) eight, and Chandler Prep (1-8, 0-1) ninth.
Thus far, region wins have been for Morenci over Tombstone (93-50, Dec. 16) and San Miguel (76-34, Jan. 7), Desert Christian over Bisbee (66-60, Dec. 19) and Tombstone (70-50, Jan. 7), Benson over Willcox (49-46, Jan, 7) and Tombstone (71-40, Jan. 10), Santa Rita over Saint Augustine (43-38 OT, Jan. 7), Bisbee over Tombstone (74-43, Jan. 7), Willcox over Saint Augustine (51-49, Jan. 9).
2A North Region Standings
Region standing through Jan. 12 were Pinon (8-4 seeding, 1-0 region) first, Saint Johns (4-4, 1-0) second, Flagstaff Northland Prep (5-3, 1-0) third, Many Farms (5-5, 1-0) fourth, Eagar Round Valley (2-7, 1-1) fifth, Keams Canyon Hopi (4-5, 0-1) sixth, Tuba City Greyhills (0-7, 0-1) seventh, and Sanders Valley (5-7, 0-1) eight.
To date, region wins have been for Pinon over Round Valley (50-47, Jan. 11), Saint Johns over Hopi (54-47, Jan. 11), Northland Prep over Sanders Valley (73-57, Jan, 11), Many Farms over Greyhills (55-28, Jan. 11), and Round Valley over Greyhills (51-13, Jan. 1).
Round Valley Elks (2-7)

Round Valley (4-14 overall, 2-7 seeding, 1-1 2A North Region) is averaging a score of 41-46 (366-414) per seeding game or a 5-point deficit. The Adam Poston-coached Elks have seeding wins over Greyhills (51-13, Nov. 22) and Northland Prep (65-59, Dec. 18), along with losses to Heber Mogollon (43-52, Dec. 3), Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (49-52, Dec. 5), Pima (39-59, Dec. 7), Saint Johns (50-57, Dec. 17), Holbrook (23-59, Jan. 7), Phoenix Horizon Honors (46-63, Jan. 9), and Pinon (47-50, Jan. 11).
Additionally, the Elks went 0-4 in the 2-day Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney and 2-3 during their own tourney. The wins were over Duncan (66-22, Dec. 12) and Mogollon (55-40, Dec. 13) while the losses were to Fountain Hills (19-62, Nov. 29), Phoenix Veritas Prep (23-59, Nov. 29), Leading Edge (37-43, Nov. 30), Glendale Prep (40-65, Nov. 30), Alchesay (45-65, Dec. 12), Fort Thomas (33-61, Dec. 13), and Alchesay (36-53, Dec. 14). Round Valley averaging an overall score of 40-49 (722-884) per game or a 9-point deficit.
Round Valley has an 11-member team of three seniors, six juniors, and two sophomores.
The roster includes seniors Kade Latham (1), Wyatt Reed (4), and Cole Tom (5); juniors Geron Baylish (14), Brennan Brown (10), Robert Galdean (30), Keec Hitman (15), Ryan Rodriguez (23), and Ettore Rossi (55); and sophomores Joah Brown (22) and Davin Gillespie (12).
The Elks are competing in the 8-member 2A North Region with Flagstaff Northland Prep, Keams Canyon Hopi, Many Farms, Pinon, Saint Johns, Sanders Valley, and Tuba City Greyhills.
Benson Bobcats (4-5)
Benson (6-13 overall, 4-5 seeding, 1-0 2A South Region) averages a score of 47-55 (423-493) per seeding game or an 8-point deficit. The Alex Montijo-coached Bobcats have seeding wins over Lincoln Prep (52-43, Dec. 5), Willcox (49-46, Jan. 7), Saint David (56-55, Jan. 9), and Tombstone (71-40, Jan. 10). The losses are to Pima (28-59, Dec. 3), Thatcher (42-71, Dec. 6), Tucson’s The Gregory School (50-53, Dec. 11), Tucson Tanque Verde (43-69, Dec. 17), and Globe (32-57, Dec. 21).

In addition, the Bobcats went 1-5 during their 3-day tourney and 1-3 during the 2-day Payson tourney. Benson defeated Tombstone (53-41, Dec. 13) and San Luis (68-24, Jan. 3) plus fell to Sahuarita (64-79, Dec. 12), Douglas (50-72, Dec. 12), Sells Baboquivari (37-45, Dec. 13), Desert Christian (51-63), Saint David (37-49, Dec. 14), San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (41-70), Scottsdale Christian (23-57), and Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain (44-53). The Bobcats are averaging an overall score of 45-54 (846-1,026) per game or a 9-point deficit.
Benson has an 11-member team of five seniors, three juniors, and three sophomores. The roster includes seniors Andrew Cordova (23), David Harris (22), Mason McIntyre (10), Harley Vanwormer (11), and Domonik Villa (4); juniors Kellen Deskins (14), Dawson Judd (12), and Ruben Navarro (1); and sophomores Luke Chapman (3), Takeo Montijo (33), and Jason Santo (13).
The Bobcats are competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with Bisbee, Morenci, Tombstone, Willcox, and Tucson schools Desert Christian, Saint Augustine Catholic, San Miguel Catholic, and Santa Rita.
Saint Augustine Wolves (3-5)

Saint Augustine (4-9 overall, 3-5 seeding, 0-2 2A South Region) averages a score of 48-47 (385-374) per seeding game or a 1-point margin. The Joseph Payne-coached Wolves have seeding wins over San Manuel (53-33, Nov. 22), Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (58-34, Dec. 11), and Tucson Catalina (48-46, Dec. 16) along with losses to Santa Rita (50-64, Dec. 3), Avondale John Paul II Catholic (50-56, Dec. 6), Lincoln Prep (39-47, Dec. 13), Santa Rita (38-43 OT, Jan. 7), and Willcox (49-51, Jan. 9).
Additionally, the Wolves went 1-4 during their own 3-day tourney. The win was over San Simon (63-61, Nov. 26), while the losses were to Tombstone (43-48, Nov. 25), Nogales Lourdes Catholic (37-51, Nov. 25), Joseph City (37-75, Nov. 26), and Patagonia (46-53, Nov. 27). Saint Augustine is averaging an overall score of 47-47 (611-607) per game or a tie.
Saint Augustine has a 14-member team of two seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores, and three freshmen. The roster includes seniors Joseph Lalli (10) and Diego Perez (44); juniors Sam Lalli (13) and Mark Tims (12); sophomores Carlos Acuna (4), Jovanni Fernandez (3), Nico Martinez (11), Juan Murrieta (1), Jonathan Ochoa (2), Isaiah Ochoa-Gomez (31), and Micah Perez (5); and freshmen Kyle Nicado (32) and Diego Pedrego (21).
The Wolves are competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with Benson, Bisbee, Morenci, Tombstone, Willcox, and Tucson schools Desert Christian, San Miguel Catholic, and Santa Rita.
Saint Johns Redskins (4-4)
Saint Johns (7-10 overall, 4-4 seeding, 1-0 2A North Region) averages a score of 56-48 (448-387) per seeding game or an 8-point margin. The Casey Heap-coached Reskins have seeding wins over Sanders Valley (61-40, Nov. 26), Joseph City (75-50, Dec. 6), Round Valley (57-50, Dec. 17), and Keams Canyon Hopi (54-47, Jan. 11).
The losses were to Holbrook (55-65, Dec. 3), Flagstaff Northland Prep (43-51, Jan. 4), Winslow (45-78), and Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (58-76, Jan. 9).
In addition, the Redskins went 0-4 during the 3-day Round Valley tourney and 3-2 during the 3-day 61st Eastern Arizona Holiday Tournament. The wins were over Tucson Pueblo (49-46, Dec. 20), Saint David (67-47, Dec. 20), and Winkelman Hayden (72-56, Dec. 21).
The losses were to Whiteriver Alchesay (35-41, Dec. 12), Camp Verde (35-66, Dec. 12), Holbrook (40-65, Dec. 13), Alchesay (43-60), Fort Thomas (56-87, Dec. 19), and Tucson Tanque Verde (41-72, Dec. 20). The Redskins are averaging an overall score of 50-50 (845-855) per game or a tie.
Saint Johns has a 14-member team of four seniors, eight juniors, and two sophomores. The roster includes seniors Dane Avila (3), Brek Hall (2), Mckray Johnson (24), and Preston Lee (10); juniors Juan Calderon (33), John French (23), Colten Platt (4), T Platt (1), Jude Raban (5), Johan Stringham (11), Max Udall (20), and Malachi West (34); and sophomores Alan Tryon (15) and Kaden Waite (32).
The Redskins are competing in the 8-member 2A North Region with Eagar Round Valley, Flagstaff Northland Prep, Keams Canyon Hopi, Many Farms, Pinon, Sanders Valley, and Tuba City Greyhills.
Morenci Wildcats (6-1)

Morenci (15-3 overall, 6-1 seeding, 2-0 region) averages a 66-44 (461-309) score per game or a 22-point margin. The Ruben Leonard-coached Wildcats have seeding wins over Tucson Santa Rita (73-40, Dec. 2), Tucson Empire (75-43, Dec. 5), Tombstone (93-50, Dec. 16), San Carlos (50-47, Dec. 17), San Miguel (76-34, Jan. 7), and Willcox (57-43, Jan. 10). The loss was to Pima (37-52, Jan. 9).
Additionally, the Wildcats went 5-1 during the 3-day Eager Round Valley Tournament and 4-1 during the 61st Eastern Arizona Holiday Tournament. The wins were over Fort Thomas (69-54, Dec. 12), Lakeside Blue Ridge (59-42, Dec. 12), Duncan (64-54, Dec. 13), Whiteriver Alchesay (57-51, Dec. 13), Fort Thomas (60-49, Dec. 14), Tucson Pueblo (82-58, Dec. 19), (73-55, Safford Dec. 19), Fort Thomas (60-59, Dec. 20), and Thatcher (54-45, Dec. 20). The losses were to Holbrook (62-68, Dec. 14) and Pima (43-62). Morenci is averaging an overall score of 64-50 (1,144-906) per game or a 14-point margin.
The Wildcats have a 10-member team of four seniors, two juniors, three sophomores, and a freshman. The roster includes seniors Noah Chavez (10), Emilio Garcia (22), Yedidia Luputa Kanyinda (21), and Christopher Lopez (23); juniors Abraham Cortez (24) and Adrian McCallum (25); sophomores Aymen Abdulqadar (11), Damian Espino (35), and Adrian McCabe (12); and freshman Sebastian McCallum (32).
Morenci competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with Benson, Bisbee, Tombstone, Willcox, and Tucson schools Desert Christian, Saint Augustine Catholic, San Miguel Catholic, and Santa Rita.
Morenci – 57, Willcox – 43
An Aymen Abdulqadar field goal put the Wildcats ahead 28-27 with 4:56 left in the third quarter. The home team would not trail for the rest of the game, leading 38-32 heading into the fourth quarter. And a 19-11 final 8-minute effort by six different Wildcats assured the win.
Willcox led 16-12 following the opening quarter and 25-22 at halftime.
Morenci totaled 23 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 7-18 free throws compared to 13 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 13-21 free throws by Willcox.
Aymen Abdulqader tallied a team-high 15 points on six field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 2-4 free throws and Christopher Lopez 11 on five field goals (one 3-pointer). Adrian McCallum added eight points, Yedidia Luputa Kanyinda, Adrian McCabe, and Abraham Cortez six apiece, and Noah Chavez five.
For Willcox, senior Caden Hooper had 15 points on six field goals plus 3-6 free throws, and sophomore Jahir Reyes 11 on four field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 1-2 free throws. Sophomore Jovani Rodriguez added five points, junior Ty Shull three, senior Gabe Salas two, and both sophomores Emiliano Chavez and JD Whetten one each.
Pima – 52, Morenci – 37
The visiting Wildcats outscored their host 16-12 in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to overcome the 19-point three-quarters deficit.
Pima turned in outings of 14-2 (second quarter) and 20-12 (third quarter), on top of a 10-7 opening quarter advantage, to pull away from the Wildcats.
In all, Morenci netted 13 field goals (six 3-pointers) plus 5-8 free throws versus 19 field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 11-15 free throws by Pima.
Abdulqader led Morenci with 11 points on four field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 2-2 free throws, and Lopez 10 on four field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 0-2 free throws. Chavez added five eight points, Cortez four, and both Adrian McCallum and McCabe three apiece.
Pima got 14 points apiece from junior Keegan Corona on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 5-7 free throws and sophomore Joel Mattice on seven field goals. Senior Preston Russell added eight points, junior Charlie Richardson six, senior Rhett Hughes five, senior Daxton McRae three, and sophomore Tanner Smith two.
Morenci – 75, San Miguel – 34
The Vipers notched a 12-6 fourth-quarter advantage, but their host led 21-5 after the first quarter, 45-15 at halftime, and 69-22 heading into the fourth quarter.
Morenci connected on 33 field goals (five 3-pointers) plus 4-5 free throws, while San Miguel had 13 field goals (six 3-pointers) plus 2-3 free throws.
Chavez contributed 24 points on 10 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 2-2 free throws, Abdulqadar 14 on six field goals (two 3-pointers), and Kanyinda 10 on five field goals. Cortez added eight points, Emilio Garcia six, McCallum five, and Lopez and McCabe four.
Brandon Caranza had 17 points on six field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 2-3 free throws for the Viper. Andre Antone added five points, Santiago Badilla and Diego Quezada three each, and Homero Martinez, Andres Montiel, and Cesar Ramirez two apiece.