Apaches oust Roughriders as finalists
By Raymundo Frasquillo
THATCHER – The Mike Brogan-coached Snowflake Lobos captured the girls 49th Eastern Arizona Holiday Tourney title, holding off the Lee Haws-coached Fort Thomas Apaches 56-32 in Guitteau Gymnasium on Dec. 20. The second-time participant ousted the Matt Brogan-coached 1A East Region Saint David Tigers 64-21 during the semifinals at Norma Bellamy Gymnasium and the Eddie Ortiz-coached 4A Gila Region Sahuarita Mustangs 43-34 during the quarterfinals at EAC, both on Dec. 19. The 3A East Region Lobos also defeated the 2A South Region Morenci Wildcats 73-15 and the 4A Black Canyon Region El Mirage Dysart Demons 67-11 during Pool D contests at EAC on Dec. 18.
The 1A East Region Apaches reached the finale with a 40-39 semifinal win over the Roy Corona-coached Pima Roughriders at EAC, and a 66-42 quarterfinal win over the Francisco Villa-coached Dysart Demons on day two. Fort Thomas defeated 3A South Region Safford 53-31 and Sahuarita 50-33, both during Pool C play at Safford on day one.
Snowflake jumped out to a 7-0 advantage before Fort Thomas junior Corey Cody connected on 2-2 free throws with 4:43 left in the opening quarter. The Apaches got within five (4-9) 1:32 later, but no closer for the remainder of the game.
Fort Thomas trailed by 20 points (9-29) before double figures were reached on the first of two sophomore Leilynn Wesley free throws with 5:12 elapsed in the second quarter. The Lobos led 19-8 after the first quarter, 31-13 at halftime, and 46-23 heading into the fourth quarter.
For the game, Snowflake totaled 24 field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 5-8 free throws, while Fort Thomas made seven field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 17-28 free throws.
Senior Ryah Denhalter tallied 17 points on seven field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 2-4 free throws, and senior Bryn Kupfer 15 on seven field goals plus 1-2 free throws. Senior Ranell West added eight points, senior Tayli Hancock and sophomore A.J. Yarn six apiece, and junior Mary Orr and sophomore Aubrie Denhalter two each.
The Apaches also had seven point contributors, but none in double figures. Junior Kynnedee Bryce had eight points, Cody seven, junior Alycia Sanchez five, senior Raeleigh Hawkins and Wesley both four apiece, and both Leia Begay and junior Jamie Johnson two each.
Snowflake (15-1 overall, 6-0 seeding, 1-0 region) is competing in the 6-member 3A East Region with Show Low (7-4, 4-2, 0-0), Lakeside Blue Ridge (8-8, 3-4, 0-0), Whiteriver Alchesay (13-5, 4-3, 0-0), Winslow (4-10, 3-5, 0-0), and Holbrook (5-8, 2-5, 0-1).
The Mike Brogan-coached Lobos visit Alchesay on Tuesday, Jan. 6, host Safford on Thursday, Jan. 8, and visit Holbrook on Friday, Jan. 9.
Fort Thomas (12-4 overall, 5-1 seeding, 1-0 region) is competing in the 8-member 1A East Region with Kearny Ray (6-8, 4-4, 1-0), Winkelman Hayden (3-8, 3-3, 1-0), Scottsdale Cicero Prep (8-3, 5-1, 0-0), Duncan (9-7, 5-2, 0-0), Superior (3-5, 3-5, 0-1), Phoenix Valley Lutheran (2-8, 2-5, 0-1), and San Manuel (5-8, 2-7, 0-1).
The Lee Haws-coached Apaches host Hayden on Jan. 6, and visit Heber Mogollon on Jan. 9 and Rock Point on Saturday, Jan. 10.
Snowflake is averaging a 59-26 (938-422) score per game or a 33-point margin, while Fort Thomas is averaging a 53-39 (843-620) score per game or a 14-point margin, both through 16 games.
49th Eastern Arizona Holiday All-Tourney Team
Meet champion Snowflake and runner-up Fort Thomas, both of which landed two players on the 2025 honor team. Snowflake had senior Ranell West (24) and sophomore A.J. Yarn (2), while Fort Thomas had senior Raeleigh Hawkins (15 and junior Jamie Johnson (14). Snowflake senior Ryah Denhalter received the most valuable player award.
Third place Pima had junior Hanna Ashby (14), fourth place Saint David junior Emma Hart (1), fifth place Thatcher junior Makenzi Lunt (11), sixth place Miami junior Tamia Pietita (5), seventh place Sahuarita junior Abby Silvester (3), eighth place Dysart junior Kayleigh Cloud (23).
The rest of the honor team members were Round Robin participants: Duncan junior Sofia Harris (15), Morenci junior Tiara Jones (20), Safford senior Alexis Rope (10), and Hayden junior Maria Sanchez (1).
Ryah Denhalter was also the MVP and Ashby on the 2024 team, and Pietila on the 2023 team.
3rd Place: Pima – 57, Saint David – 30
A 25-7 third-quarter effort yielded the Roy Corona-coached Roughriders a 57- 30 third-place finish. The 1A East Region Saint David Tigers led 14-7 after the opening quarter, but 2A East Region Pima’s 13-4 second quarter outing allowed a 20-18 halftime advantage.
Pima connected on 22 field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 12-19 free throws, while Saint David made 11 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 4-11 free throws.
Junior Hanna Ashby paced the Roughriders with 17 points on six field goals plus 5-5 free throws, and junior Morgan Russell had 11 on three field goals plus 5-6 free throws. Senior Alana Apodaca and freshman Jacey Tilley added seven points apiece, senior Macey Allred six, junior Shante Butler four, freshman Taylor Ashby three, and Page Ashby two.
Saint David got 11 points apiece from juniors Paige Evans and Emma Hart, on four field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 1-2 free throws and three field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 3-8 free throws, respectively. Junior Camber Jacquez added four points, and both freshmen Mira Judd and Payton McWhorter scored two each.
Pima (9-4 overall, 4-0 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 8-member 2A East Region with Chandler Lincoln Prep (11-1, 7-0, 1-0), San Carlos (8-3, 6-0, 0-0), Gilbert Classical (8-5, 6-1, 0-0), Gilbert Leading Edge (2-3, 2-3, 0-0), Chandler Prep (1-3, 1-3, 0-0), Miami (3-5, 1-2, 0-0), and Gilbert San Tan Charter (1-6, 1-6, 0-1).
The Roy Corona-coached Roughriders went 2-2 during the 2-day Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney on Jan. 2-3, host Eagar Round Valley on Jan. 6, visit Morenci on Jan. 8, and host Chandler Prep on Jan. 9.
Saint David (8-6 overall, 5-0 seeding, 3-0 region) is competing in the 8-member 1A South Region with Tucson’s The Gregory School (6-3, 5-0, 2-0), San Simon (6-4, 4-2, 2-1), Sells Baboquivari (6-11, 5-2, 2-1), Tucson Arizona Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (1-6, 1-6, 1-2), Elfrida Valley Union (7-5, 5-1, 0-1), Patagonia (4-7, 1-3, 0-1), and Nogales Lourdes Catholic (0-4, 0-4, 0-4).
The Matt Brogan-coached Tigers host Safford on Jan. 6 and ASDB on Jan. 7, and visit Benson on Jan. 8 and Rock Point on Jan. 9.
Pima is averaging a 50-25 (645-331) score per game or a 25-point margin through 13 games, while Saint David is averaging a 41-35 (574-488) score per game or a 6-point margin through 14 games.
5th Place: Thatcher – 52, Miami – 49
After Miami junior Tamia Pietila’s 3-pointer knotted the score at 47-47 with 2:52 left, Thatcher sophomore Jocelyn Lunt and senior Makenzi Lunt added a lay-up and 3-pointer, respectively, for a 5-point advantage during the next 1:14. Pietila’s field goal with 12 seconds remaining was not enough to tie or retake the lead.
The 3A South Region Thatcher Eagles slipped past the 2A East Region Miami Vandals 52-49 for fifth place. Thatcher led 12-10 after the first quarter, 24-21 at halftime, and 35-34 heading into the fourth quarter.
A previous Pietila field 3-pointer 1:29 into the fourth quarter tied the score at 37-37, and a brief pause occurred to recognize the moment. Pietila had contributed 1,500 points while playing in 71 varsity games, or 60 percent (234-393) of the Vandals’ points through eight games thus far.
For the game, Thatcher connected on 21 field goals (six 3-pointers) plus 4-9 free throws compared to 19 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 3-6 free throws by Miami.
Makenzi Lunt contributed 20 points on seven field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 3-5 free throws, and Jocelyn Lunt contributed 16 points on eight field goals. Senior Clara Barron added six points, senior Emry Nelson four, and both junior Sarah Sampson and sophomore Brinlee Skousen three apiece.
Miami got 21 points from Pietila on seven field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 3-6 free throws and 16 from Thompson on six field goals (four 3-pointers). Sophomore Tessa Roberts added six points, sophomore Adisynne Davis four, and sophomore Liliana Light two.
Thatcher (7-9 overall, 3-4 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 7-member 3A South Region with Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (2-9, 2-5, 0-0), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (7-3, 5-1, 0-0), Safford (5-10, 2-4, 0-0), Tucson Empire (3-11, 1-6, 0-0), Tucson Sabino (6-10, 2-5, 0-0), and Tucson Tanque Verde (1-7, 1-7, 0-0).
The Brandon Lunt-coached Eagles visit Douglas on Jan. 8.
Miami (6-6 overall, 1-2 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 8-member 2A East Region with Chandler Lincoln Prep (11-1, 7-0, 1-0), San Carlos (8-3, 6-0, 0-0), Pima (7-2, 4-0, 0-0), Gilbert Classical (8-5, 6-1, 0-0), Gilbert Leading Edge (2-3, 2-3, 0-0), Chandler Prep (1-3, 1-3, 0-0), and Gilbert San Tan Charter (1-6, 1-6, 0-1).
The Crystal Pietila-coached Vandals went 3-1 during the 2-day Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney on Jan. 2-3, host Fountain Hills on Monday, Jan. 5, visit Arizona Lutheran on Wednesday, Jan. 7, and Gilbert Classical on Jan. 9.
Thatcher is averaging a 38-45 (608-681) score per game or a 7-point deficit through 15 games, while Miami is averaging a 50-47 (595-568) score per game or a 3-point margin through 12 games.
7th Place: Sahuarita – 62, Dysart – 31
The 4A Gila Region Sahuarita Mustangs doubled the score on the 4A Black Canyon Region Dysart Demons, 62-31, to finish seventh.
A 16-4 first-quarter outing gave Sahuarita the lead it would not relinquish for the rest of the game. Five different Mustangs scored, with none having more than six points, while limiting the Demons to a single field goal plus 2-6 free throws. Sahuarita went on to lead 36-17 at halftime and 45-26 heading into the fourth quarter.
For the game, Sahuarita connected on 23 field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 13-18 free throws compared to 13 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 3-12 free throws by Dysart.
Junior Abby Silvester netted a game-high 15 points on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 6-9 free throws, sophomore Karsen Montgomery 13 on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 4-4 free throws, junior Addison Elam 12 on five field goals (one 3-pointer) plus \1-1 free throws, and sophomore Yaya Ortega 10 on four field goals plus 2-4 free throws. Junior Erika Pena added eight points, and senior Ashlee Will four.
Dysart junior Kayleigh Cloud and freshman Otylia Cwik both had 10 points, on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 1-1 free throws and four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 1-6 free throws, respectively. Senior Yen Doan added eight points, freshman Andreea Coste two, and senior Delilah Martinez one.
Sahuarita (7-9 overall, 1-5 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 5-member 4A Gila Region with Rio Rico (7-7, 4-2, 0-0), Douglas (8-3, 3-2, 0-0), Tucson Amphitheater (6-10, 2-5, 0-0), and Tucson Cholla (0-5, 0-5, 0-0).
The Eddie Ortiz-coached Mustangs host Cienega on Jan. 7.
Dysart (9-8 overall, 5-3 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 6-member 4A Black Canyon Region with Maricopa Desert Sunrise (2-5, 2-5, 1-0), Scottsdale Coronado (0-6, 3-3, 0-0), Tempe (1-6, 1-6, 0-0), Yuma (0-7, 0-7, 0-1), and Phoenix Cortez (0-8, 0-5, 0-0).
The Francisco Villa-coached Demons visit Tempe on Jan. 6 and Desert Sunrise on Jan. 8.
Sahuarita is averaging a 45-48 (712-769) score per game or a 3-point deficit through 16 games, while Dysart is averaging a 44-47 (755-800) score per game or a 3-point deficit through 17 games.
Round Robin Results (days two to three)
The Round Robin participants were the four teams that succumbed twice during pool play.
Morenci defeated Safford 50-38 in Norma Bellamy Gymnasium and Duncan 39-28 in Guitteau Gymnasium. Duncan ran past Hayden at EAC, and Safford bested Hayden 24-13 at Thatcher on day two.
The Albert Ortega-coached Wildcats (3-2) downed Hayden (0-5) 43-14 at Thatcher, and the Eldon Merrell-coached Wildkats (2-3) slipped past Safford (1-4) 16-13 at Thatcher on day three.
Morenci (6-9 overall, 2-3 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with Bisbee (5-4, 3-0, 1-0), Tucson Desert Christian (6-3, 4-1, 0-0), Tucson Santa Rita (5-4, 5-4, 0-0), Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (3-4, 2-1, 0-0), Tombstone (3-14, 1-6, 0-1), Willcox (8-6, 3-2, 0-0), Benson (13-2, 2-2, 0-0), and Tucson San Miguel (0-8, 0-8, 0-0).
The Albert Ortega-coached Wildcats visit San Miguel on Jan. 6, host Pima on Jan. 8, and visit Willcox on Jan. 9.
Duncan (9-7 overall, 5-2 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 8-member 1A East Region with Kearny Ray (6-8, 4-4, 1-0), Fort Thomas (12-4, 5-1, 1-0), Winkelman Hayden (3-8, 3-3, 1-0), Scottsdale Cicero Prep (8-3, 5-1, 0-0), Superior (3-5, 3-5, 0-1), Phoenix Valley Lutheran (2-8, 2-5, 0-1), and San Manuel (5-8, 2-7, 0-1).
The Eldon Merrell-coached Wildkats host Hayden on Jan. 6, and visit Heber Mogollon on Jan. 9 and Rock Point on Saturday, Jan. 10.
Safford (5-10 overall, 2-4 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 7-member 3A South Region with Thatcher (7-9, 3-4, 0-0), Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (2-9, 2-5, 0-0), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (7-3, 5-1, 0-0), Tucson Empire (3-11, 1-6, 0-0), Tucson Sabino (6-10, 2-5, 0-0), and Tucson Tanque Verde (1-7, 1-7, 0-0).
The Mia Carter-coached Bulldogs visit Saint David on Jan. 6 and Snowflake on Jan. 8.
Winkelman Hayden (3-8 overall, 3-3 seeding, 1-0 region) is competing in the 8-member 1A East Region with Kearny Ray (6-8, 4-4, 1-0), Fort Thomas (12-4, 5-1, 1-0), Scottsdale Cicero Prep (8-3, 5-1, 0-0), Duncan (9-7, 5-2, 0-0), Superior (3-5, 3-5, 0-1), Phoenix Valley Lutheran (2-8, 2-5, 0-1), and San Manuel (5-8, 2-7, 0-1).
The Jacqueline Pool-coached Lobos visit Fort Thomas on Jan. 6, Tucson’s The Gregory School on Jan. 9, and San Simon on Jan. 10.
Morenci is averaging a 37-46 (549-684) score per game or a 9-point deficit through 15 games, Duncan is averaging a 35-26 (557-421) score per game or a 9-point margin through 16 games, Safford is averaging a 31-44 (471-660) score per game or a 13-point deficit through 15 games, and Hayden is averaging a 24-38 (259-415) score per game or a 14-point deficit through 11 games.
Pool Play Results (day one)
Pima (2-0) was first, Saint David (1-1) second, and Hayden (0-2) third for Pool A on the Pima campus. The Roughriders defeated Hayden 51-7, and Saint David 59-13, and Saint David defeated Hayden 52-20.
Miami (1-1) was first, Thatcher (1-1) second, and Duncan (1-1) third for Pool B on the Thatcher campus. Duncan defeated Thatcher 43-37 in overtime, Miami defeated Duncan 52-37, and Thatcher edged Miami 46-44. The tie-breaker used was the margin of victory: Miami was plus 13, Thatcher was minus 4, and Duncan was minus 9.
Fort Thomas (2-0) was first, Sahuarita (1-1) second, and Safford (0-2) third for Pool C in Norma Bellamy Gymnasium. Fort Thomas defeated Safford 53-31 and Sahuarita 50-33; Sahuarita defeated Safford 53-43.
Snowflake (2-0) was first, Dysart (1-1) second, and Morenci (0-2) third for Pool D in Guitteau Gymnasium. Snowflake defeated Morenci 73-15 and Dysart 67-11. Dysart defeated Morenci 59-40.
Girls Eastern Arizona Holiday Tourney History
This tourney marks the second time with 12 teams playing two games during the first two days on four different sites. The fourth time the boys and girls meet occurs on the same days and dates, the 10th time the boys meet has been held before Christmas, and the 45th year the girls’ tourney is held before Christmas.
Snowflake (1-0) was the 48th (2024) champion; Safford is 16-9 as finalists, and won five consecutive titles (2014-18), three in a row once (1983-85), and back-to-back once (1990-91); Thatcher 12-11 with a record seven consecutive championships from 1997-2003, back-to-back titles twice (1981-82, 1986-87), and one in 2010; Pima 6-9 while thrice finishing first (2021-23) in the most recent four meets; Morenci 3-6; Fort Thomas 2-3 while earning back-to-back titles in 2005 and 2006; and Duncan 2-3.
Five previous participants were a combined 6-7 as finalists, Willcox was 3-2, Globe 1-1, San Carlos 1-1, New Mexico Cliff 1-0, Clifton 0-1, Miami 0-1, and Eagar Round Valley 0-1.
Beginning as a 4-team, 2-day meet with two games per day during the nation’s 1976 Bicentennial year, the subsequent 47 tourneys featured four games over three days, for a total of 12 games. Morenci defeated Clifton 55-42 for the title, after the Wildcats topped Thatcher 56-11 and the Trojans downed Safford 29-15 on the first day. Safford ended third with a 33-21 win over Thatcher.
The 2025 tourney marked the second time 12 teams played two games on the first day at four different sites, 12 teams played two games on the second day at three other sites, the fourth time the boys and girls meets occurred on the same days and dates, and the 45th year the girls tourney was held before Christmas. A total of 30 games were played during the 48th tourney.
There have been 11 players scoring 31 points or more, with Pima’s Shari Lunt totaling 35 on 13 field goals plus 9-14 free throws during the 59-44 first-round win over Clifton (Dec. 18, 1986). Two days later, Lunt had 33 points on 14 field goals plus 5-13 free throws during a 47-45 third-place win over Fort Thomas (Dec. 20, 1986). Her 3-game total is 90 points on 38 field goals, plus 14-for-27 free throws, with the game in between yielding 22 points against Thatcher (Dec. 19, 1986).
Clifton’s Roberta Lopez also turned in 35 points on 13 field goals plus 14-17 free throws two years later during a 61-50 consolation round win over Morenci (Dec. 21, 1988). Another Trojan, Toni Navarette, netted a record 34 points during the 43-61 third-place loss to Morenci (Dec. 23, 1977).
Jovita Titla of Fort Thomas tossed in 33 points on 10 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 11-12 free throws during a 57-49 first-round win over Willcox (Dec. 21, 1992).
Four players have reached 32 points, the first being Morenci’s Stephanie Upton during a 70-20 first-round win over Pima (Dec. 20, 1979). Lori Browning of Willcox matched it with 13 field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 3-4 free throws during a 71-49 first round win over Safford (Dec. 21, 1998), followed by Maryilita Moses of Fort Thomas with 12 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 4-4 free throws during a 59-68 overtime loss to Willcox (Dec. 20, 2000), and Tori Davis of Willcox with nine field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 11-18 free throws during a 60-67 fifth place loss to Fort Thomas (Dec. 22, 2001).
Clifton Class of 1990 member Roberta Lopez scored 31 points in back-to-back games, on 10 field goals plus 11-16 free throws during a 48-58 first-round loss to Morenci (Dec. 20, 1989) and on 12 field goals plus 7-10 free throws during a 49-44 consolation round win over Duncan (Dec. 21, 1989).
The most team points scored in a game is 91 by Thatcher during the 91-30 first round win over Clifton (Dec. 20, 2000), and the most team points scored in three games is 195 by Thatcher during the 25th tourney (Dec. 18-19-20, 2000).
The most individual free throws made in a game have been 13-18 by Melba Moses of Fort Thomas during a 59-51 consolation round win over Pima (Dec. 21, 1989) and the most individual free throws attempted in a game were 13-24 by Nakia Moses during a 56-65 overtime third place loss to Miami (Dec. 20, 2008).
The most team free throws made is 22-30 by Safford during a 61-66 first-round loss to Morenci (Dec. 19, 2013), and the most team free throws attempted is 18-48 by Duncan during the 44-54 first-place loss to Pima (Dec. 23, 1993).
The most individual field goals made beyond the arc in a game have been eight by Kimila Taylor of Pima during a 59-47 semifinal win over Thatcher (Dec. 21, 1991), and the individual most 3-pointers made for three games is 12 by Kelsey Smith of Thatcher during the 36th tourney (Dec. 21-22-23, 2011).
The most team 3-pointers made in a game is nine, achieved by four different teams beginning in 1991, and the most team 3-pointers in three games is 17, achieved by Fort Thomas during the 25th tourney (Dec. 18-19-20, 2000) and the 34th tourney (Dec. 21-22-23, 2009).
