Pima Girls continue local basketball dominance with blowout win over Morenci

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima’s Ashlie Sherwood (11) makes her way down court against Morenci’s Zenaya Cortez (23). Pima prevailed 73-21.

By Jon Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

PIMA – The Pima Roughriders girls basketball team continued its march toward the postseason Tuesday night with a 73-21 shellacking of the visiting Morenci Wildcats.

“Defensively we’re working really hard,” said Pima head coach Roy Corona. “I tell them, ‘no matter what the score is, on defense and rebounds is where I want you to work really hard’ because we don’t let up. That way, that fourth-quarter comes in a tough game our intensity is still there.”

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima’s Jayci McClain, right, picks the pocket of Morenci’s Devanie Medina.

No. 1 Pima (2-0 region, 5-0 conference, 16-1 overall) is the defending 2A State Champion and has plowed through the competition this year so far, with its only loss being to host school 4A Flagstaff in the championship game of the Pepsi Holiday Tournament on Dec. 11, 2021. The Roughriders have only nine games left in the regular season, with only one (Scottsdale Christian on Feb. 5) not being a region game.     

It was the first game for the Wildcats (0-1 region, 1-2 conference, 9-4 overall) after missing three games following a COVID-19 postponement of their season. Pima guard Saydee Allred welcomed them with her first of three 3-pointers on the night to open the game. Allred finished with 15 points off of six field goals.

Julianna Aguilar made a tough shot to cut the score to 3-2 in Pima’s favor. However, that would be the only points the Wildcats would score in the opening quarter and the closest they would come for the rest of the game. The Roughriders’ guards began forcing turnover after turnover in their press defense and scored numerous fast-break layups to go up 21-2 after the first quarter. 

“We started off slow but started opening it up in the second quarter a little bit,” said Ashlynn Chlarson.

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima’s Ashlynn Chlarson (24) shoots for two.

The Roughriders poured in 24 more points in the second quarter to the Wildcats’ 6, and Pima went into halftime with the game well in hand, 45-8. 

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci’s Julianna Aguilar hangs and scores despite good defense from Pima’s Samantha Pippo (21).

Morenci had its best showing in the third quarter, as it hit for double digits (11 points) after Delicia Roybal nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Pima still won the quarter with 15 points, however, and the teams headed into the fourth under the mercy rule of a running clock as Pima was up 60-19. The Roughriders added another 13 points in the fourth to finish the game 73-21.

“It’s hard because my top six or seven haven’t played a fourth quarter together except for up there at the Flagstaff tournament,” Corona said.  

Ashlie Sherwood led Pima with 17 points, followed by Allred with 15; Ashlynn Chlarson with 13; Jayci McClain with 9, Aubrie Sherwood with 8; Ella Wiltbank with 5; Samantha Pippo with 4; and Kyli Mattice with 2 points. 

Morenci was led by Julianna Aguilar with 8 points; followed by Zenaya Cortez with 6; Delicia Roybal with 3; and Karyme Young and Keriah Chee with 2 points each. 

Pima will next host No. 23 Willcox on Wednesday, Jan. 19, starting at 5:30 p.m.

“They’re smiling and having fun out there,” Corona said. “They’re ready for state (playoffs). 

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Pima’s Ashlie Sherwood (11) steals the ball from Morenci’s Zenaya Cortez as Saydee Allred (22) prepares to assist.

Morenci will next host Benson on Friday, Jan. 21, starting at 5:30 p.m. 

Click here to view the Gila Herald’s photo album from the game.

In other girls local hoops action on Tuesday: 

Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Herald: Morenci’s Zenaya Cortez looks for an open teammate.

In 3A, No. 4 Thatcher (3-0 region, 8-1 conference, 12-5 overall) won its sixth game in a row with a 65-35 drubbing of Coolidge on the road. Thatcher will next visit Safford on Thursday, Jan. 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. 

In 1A, No. 1 Fort Thomas (2-0 region, 9-0 conference, 18-3 overall) blew out Valley Union 63-15. The Apaches will next play at St. David on Thursday, Jan. 20, starting at 4:30 p.m. 

No. 17 Duncan (1-0 region, 6-3 conference, 9-7 overall) defeated San Simon 26-22. Duncan’s game against Hayden has been canceled per AIA, so it will next host St. David on Friday, Jan. 21, starting at 5:30 p.m.