By Jon Johnson
MORENCI – Days before the Wildcats are set to take on the No., 2-ranked Arizona Lutheran Coyotes in the second round of the 2A State Championship Tournament, Morenci’s team has been recognized for its excellence in the 2A South Region with coach Ruben Leonard named Region Coach of the Year and Noah Chavez as Region Defensive Player of the Year.
2A South Region Coach of the Year
Rueben Leonard led the Morenci Wildcats to an unbeaten 9-0 2A South Region record and 24-3 overall, including a 58-42 opening-round home playoff victory over Horizon Honors on Tuesday. He is the 2A South Region Coach of the Year.
If the Wildcats want to advance to the semifinals at Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, they will have to get past the No. 2 ranked Arizona Lutheran Coyotes at their own den on Saturday, Feb. 22, starting at 6 p.m.
2A South Region Defensive Player of the Year
Noah Chavez
2A South All-Region 1st Team
Aymen Abduqader, Christopher Lopez – Morenci
Caden Hooper – Willcox
2A South All-Region 2nd Team
Abraham Cortez – Morenci
J.D. Whetten – Willcox
2A South All-Region Honorable Mention
Yedidia Laputa, Adrian McCabe, Adrian McCallum – Morenci
Emiliano Chavez, Jahir Reyes, Jovani Rodriguez, Ty Shull – Willcox
2A East All-Region 1st Team
Keegan Corona – Pima
Deray Mathis – Miami
Leandro Simbolo – San Carlos – Leandro was also named the 2A East Offensive Player of the Year
2A East All-Region 2nd Team
Preston Russell – Pima
Keshawn Browning – San Carlos
2A East All-Region Honorable Mention
Rhett Hughes, Joel Mattice, Charlie Richardson – Pima
Raejon Way – Miami
Herschel Thompson – San Carlos
