Apaches host Wildcats, Braves; Roughriders host Bobcats, Eagles this week
By Raymundo Frasquillo
THATCHER – The 3A South Region Thatcher Eagles (1-1 seeding) hosts 3A Metro Region Payson (1-0), the 2A East Region Pima Roughriders host the 2A South Region Benson Bobcats (2-0), and the 1A East Region Fort Thomas Apaches (1-0) hosts the 1A North Region Dishchii’bikoh Wildcats (1-1) on Tuesday, Dec. 2. The Apaches host the 2A East Region San Carlos Braves (2-0) on Wednesday, Dec. 3; Morenci visits 3A South Region Empire on Thursday, Dec. 4; the Eagles host the 2A South Region Willcox Cowgirls (2-0) and the Apaches visit the 1A South Region Sells Baboquivari Warriors (2-1) on Friday, Dec. 5; and the Roughriders host the 2A Central Region Scottsdale Christian Eagles () on Saturday, Dec. 6.
PAIRINGS THIS WEEK (Dec. 2-6):
This week (Dec. 1-6) for 3A South Region members, Thatcher hosts 3A Metro Region Payson and Empire visits Tucson’s The Gregory School on Tuesday, Dec. 2; Tanque Verde hosts 3A Central Region Coolidge, Palo Verde Magnet visits Tucson San Miguel, and Sabino visits 4A Gila Region Douglas on Wednesday, Dec. 3; Pusch Ridge visits 4A Gila Region Amphitheater, Safford hosts 3A Metro Region Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin, Thatcher visits 3A East Region Lakeside Blue Ridge, Palo Verde Magnet visits Tucson’s The Gregory School, Empire hosts 2A South Region Morenci on Thursday, Dec. 4. Pusch Ridge hosts 3A Metro Region Gilbert Christian, Thatcher hosts 2A South Region Willcox, Tanque Verde hosts 2A South Region Desert Christian, and Sabino hosts 2A South Region Tucson Santa Rita on Friday, Dec. 5.
In the 2A South Region this week, Tucson Santa Rita visits Saint Augustine, Benson visits 2A East Region Pima, San Miguel hosts Bisbee, and Desert Christian hosts 2A Independent Wittman Mountainside on Dec. 2; San Miguel hosts 3A South Region Palo Verde Magnet on Dec. 3; Benson visits 2A East Region Chandler Lincoln Prep, Morenci visits 3A South Region Empire, and Tombstone hosts 1A South Region Elfrida Valley Union on Dec. 4; Santa Rita visits 3A South Region Tucson Sabino, Willcox visits 3A South Region Thatcher, Desert Christian visits 3A South Region Tanque Verde, and Saint Augustine visits 2A West Region Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic on Dec. 5; and San Miguel hosts Tombstone on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Pairings for the 2A East Region members are
Gilbert Classical visiting 2A West Region Glendale Trivium Prep, Lincoln Prep hosting San Tan Charter, and Pima hosting 2A South Region Benson on Dec. 2; Leading Edge visiting 1A South Region Scottsdale Cicero Prep, San Carlos visiting 1A South Region Fort Thomas, and San Tan Charter visiting Gilbert North American Leadership on Dec. 3; Lincoln Prep hosting 2A South Region Benson and Chandler Prep visiting 2A Central Region Scottsdale Christian on Dec. 4; Gilbert Classical hosting 2A Valley Region Laveen Heritage, Chandler Prep visiting 2A Central Region Phoenix Veritas Prep, and Miami hosting 3A Central Region Apache Junction on Dec. 5; and Pima hosting 2A Central Region Scottsdale Christian on Dec. 6.
The 1A East Region has Duncan visiting the Arizona Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Ray hosting 1A South Region Valley Union, and San Manuel visiting Hayden on Dec. 2; Scottsdale Cicero Prep hosting 2A East Region Gilbert Leading Edge, Duncan hosting 1A South Region Saint David, Valley Lutheran visiting Superior, and Hayden hosting Dishchii’bikoh on Dec. 3; San Manuel visiting 2A Valley region Eloy Santa Cruz on Dec. 4; Duncan hosting Superior on Dec. 5; and Ray participating in the 3-day, 12-team Williams tourney on Dec. 4-6, and both Cicero Prep and Valley Lutheran participating in the 2-day, 12-team Phoenix Country Day school tourney on Dec. 5-6.
3A THATCHER Eagles (1-1 seeding)
The Brandon Lunt-coached Eagles (1-1 seeding, 0-0 3A South Region) have played two seeding games, defeating Morenci (40-22, Nov. 24) and falling to Amphitheater (36-48, Nov. 19).
The Eagles host 3A Metro Region Payson (Dec. 2), visit 3A East Region Lakeside Blue Ridge (Dec. 4), host 2A South Region Willcox (Dec. 5), visit 3A East Region Show Low (Dec. 10), will participate in the Payson tourney (Dec. 11-12), host 3A Central Region Coolidge (Dec. 16), and will participate in the 49th Eastern Arizona Holiday tourney (Dec. 18-20).
Thatcher lists a 13-member team of eight seniors, three juniors, and two sophomores. The roster includes seniors Clara Barron (5), Leah Bryce (13), Ragan Buhr (23), Indiana Jones (3), Makenzi Lunt (11), Emry Nelson (2), Claire Palmer (1), and Kate Rapier (30); juniors Taylor Henrie (33), Sarah Sampson (4), and Jaiden Wakefield (12); and sophomores Jocelyn Lunt (14) and Brinlee Skousen (10).
Thatcher is competing in the 7-member 3A South Region with the Safford Bulldogs and Tucson schools, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Sabino Sabercats, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.
3A SAFFORD Bulldogs (1-2)
The Mia Carter-coached Bulldogs (1-2 seeding, 0-0 3A South Region) have played three seeding games, averaging a 29-45 (88-134) score per game or a 16-point deficit. The win was over Globe (44-41, Dec. 1), and the losses were to 4A Gila Region Douglas (21-40, Nov. 19) and 3A Metro Region Payson (23-53, Nov. 21).
Safford lists a 13-member team of five seniors, four juniors, two sophomores, and two freshmen. The roster includes seniors Savannah Dominguez (10), Mika Durazo (2), Jazzlyn Mortensen (3), Cambree Reynolds (0), and Alexis Rope (20); juniors Makenna Macario (23), Leticia Ogas (1), Andrea Todd (5), and Lily Vise (4); sophomores Kailana Beck (12) and Sophia Vise (11); and freshmen Milee Carter (21) and Khloe Clark (25).
Safford is competing in the 7-member 3A South Region with the Thatcher Eagles and Tucson schools, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Sabino Sabercats, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.
3A South Region Standings
The region standings as of Dec. 1 were Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (2-0 seeding, 0-0 region), Safford (1-2, 0-0), Thatcher (1-1, 0-0), Tucson Tanque Verde (0-2, 0-0). Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (0-3, 0-0), Tucson Empire (1-2, 0-0), and Tucson Sabino (0-2, 0-0).
2A MORENCI Wildcats (0-2)
The Albert Ortega-coached Wildcats (0-1 seeding, 0-0 2A South Region) have played a lone seeding game, averaging a 54-66 (108-131) score per game or a 12-point deficit. The losses were to Thatcher (58-69, Nov. 24) and Fort Thomas (50-62, Nov. 25).
In December, the Wildcats visit 3A South Region Empire (Dec. 4), will participate in the Eagar Round Valley tourney (Dec. 11-13), host Tombstone (Dec. 15), visit 2A East Region San Carlos (Dec. 16), and will participate in the 49th Eastern Arizona Holiday Tourney (Dec. 18-20).
Morenci lists a 12-member team of four seniors, three juniors, and four sophomores. The roster includes seniors Adriana Carbajal (12), Jaliyah Hernandez (44), Rozlyn Funari (10), and Jamie Turner (2); juniors Tiara Jones (20), Mayeli Salazar (5), and Kaylee Wiggins (13); and sophomores Arwa Abdulqader (11), Jaylianna Guzzo (1), Khloee Kouts (4), Aiyanna Merino (3), and Arisela Salazar (14).
Morenci is competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, the Willcox Cowgirls, and Tucson schools the Desert Christian Eagles, the Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
2A PIMA Roughriders (0-0)
The Roy Corona-coached Roughriders (0-0 seeding, 0-0 2A East Region) open the season at home this week.
Pima lists a 12-member team of three seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, and two freshmen. The roster includes seniors Macy Allred (22), Alana Apodaca (25), and Maddi Dwyer (13); juniors Cheyanne Alder (5), Hanna Ashby (14), Page Ashby (30), Shante Butler (43), and Morgan Russell (42); sophomores Kera Clifford (15) and Jailey Tilley (10); and freshmen Taylor Ashby (14) and Jacey Tilley (11).
The Roughriders are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, the Willcox Cowgirls, and Tucson schools the Desert Christian Eagles, the Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
2A WILLCOX Cowgirls (2-0)
The Susie Prichard-coached Cowgirls (2-0 seeding, 0-0 2A South Region) have played two seeding games, averaging a 58-31 (115-61) score per game or a 27-point margin. The wins were over Palo Verde Magnet (55-33 on Nov. 19) and Tanque Verde (60-28 on Nov. 24).
Willcox lists a 12-member team of three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, and two freshmen. The roster includes seniors Addison Burright (11), Evelyn Galaz (23), and Darielys Ruiz (3); juniors Paislee Adams (13), Leslie Barraza (21), Ruby Figueroa (4), and Brissa Salcido (22); sophomores Annel Arredando (2), Clariz Gomez (20), and Jackie Ramirez (10); and freshmen Lauren Bennett (14) and Grace Flanders (1).
The Cowgirls are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Morenci Wildcats, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, and Tucson schools the Desert Christian Eagles, the Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
2A South Region Standings
Standings for the 2A South Region as of Dec. 1 were Tucson Santa Rita (2-0 seeding, 0-0 region), Benson (2-0, 0-0), Willcox (2-0, 0-0), Morenci (0-2, 0-0), Tucson San Miguel Catholic (0-2, 0-0), Tucson Desert Christian (0-0, 0-0), Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (0-0, 0-0), Tombstone (0-0, 0-0), and Bisbee (0-0, 0-0).
2A East Region Standings
Standings for the 2A East Region as of Dec. 1 were Gilbert Classical (3-0 seeding, 0-0 region), Chandler Lincoln Prep (3-0, 0-0), Gilbert Leading Edge (2-0, 0-0), Chandler Prep (1-0, 0-0), San Carlos (2-0, 0-0), Gilbert San Tan Charter (0-1, 0-0), Miami (0-0, 0-0), and Pima (0-0, 0-0).
1A FORT THOMAS Apaches (1-0)
The Lee Haws-coached Apaches (1A East Region) open the season in Wildcat Memorial Gymnasium against host Morenci.
In December, the Apaches host 2A East Region San Carlos (Dec. 3), visit 1A South Region Sells Baboquivari (Dec. 5), visit Duncan (Dec. 9), will participate in the Eagar Round Valley tourney (Dec. 11-12), host Superior (Dec. 16), and will participate in the 49th Eastern Arizona Holiday tourney (Dec. 18-20).
Fort Thomas has a 12-member roster of five seniors, four juniors, and three sophomores. The roster includes seniors Kaylee Benally (33), Makayla Chapman (25), Leia Begay (5), Raeleigh Hawkins (15), and Kirah Moses (44); juniors Kynnedee Bryce (45), Corey Cody (10), Jamie Johnson (14), and Alycia Sanchez (30); and sophomores Carmen Antonio (34), Tyshara Garland (50), and Leilynn Wesley (3).
Fort Thomas is competing in the 8-member 1A East Region with the Duncan Wildkats, the Kearny Ray Bearcats, the Phoenix Valley Lutheran Flames, the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.
1A DUNCAN Wildkats (1-0)
The Eldon Merrell-coached Wildkats (1-0 overall, 0-0 seeding, 0-0 1A East Region) have played one seeding game, defeating San Manuel (57-10, Nov. 25).
Duncan went 2-2 during the 3-day Boyd Baker tourney. The Wildkats defeated The Gregory School (21-13, Nov. 20) and Saint David (35-33, Nov. 22), but succumbed to Desert Christian (19-20, Nov. 20) and Desert View (27-34, Nov. 21).
The Wildkats visit 1A South Region Arizona Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (Dec. 2), host 1A South Region Saint David (Dec. 3), Superior (Dec. 5), Fort Thomas (Dec. 9), 1A North Region Dishchii’bikoh (Dec. 11), and 1A South Region San Simon (Dec. 16).
Duncan lists a 9-member team of a senior, four juniors, a sophomore, and three freshmen. The roster includes senior Karleigh Capel (14); juniors Lily Ford (20), Sofia Harris (15), Heidi Miller (22), and Paisley Patton (23); sophomore Haley Bigler (50); and freshmen Emma Harris (5), Dusty Rodriguez (11), and Josie Wright (4).
The Wildkats are competing in the 8-member 1A East Region with the Fort Thomas Apaches, the Kearny Ray Bearcats, the Phoenix Valley Lutheran Flames, the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.
1A East Region Standings
Region standings as of Dec. 1 were Scottsdale Cicero Prep (1-0 seeding, 0-0 region), Duncan (1-0, 0-0), Kearny Ray (1-1, 0-0), Phoenix Valley Lutheran (1-1, 0-0), Fort Thomas (1-0, 0-0), Superior (1-1, 0-0), San Manuel (0-2, 0-0), and Winkelman Hayden (0-0, 0-0).
Fort Thomas – 69, Morenci – 58 (Nov. 25)
Morenci had a 27-26 advantage with 1:02 elapsed in the third quarter on successive field goals by Tiara Jones and Carbajal, but it would be the Wildcats’ sole lead of the game. A Makayla Chapman field goal, plus Lynn Wesley’s 2-2 free throws, returned the lead to the visitors, who would not relinquish during the remainder of the game. A 29-19 Fort Thomas effort during the rest of the frame allowed the Apaches to leave Wildcat Memorial Gymnasium with a 69-58 win on Nov. 25.
Fort Thomas led 14-7 following the first quarter, 26-23 at halftime, and 40-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
Morenci connected on 20 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 8-15 free throws, while Fort Thomas made 24 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 10-23 free throws.
Jones ended with a game-high 21 points on seven field goals plus 7-11 free throws. Carbajal added eight points, Mayeli Salazar seven, Funari and Guzzo six apiece, and Abdulquder two.
Fort Thomas got scoring contributions from five different players. Jamie Johnson had 12 points on five field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 1-3 free throws, and Wesley had 11 on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 2-2 free throws. Kyra Moses added nine points, Alycia Sanchez six, Tawnee Jones five, Kynnedee Bryce, Chapman, Cory Cody, and Raeleigh Hawkins four apiece, and Lea Begay three.
Thatcher – 40, Morenci – 22 (Nov. 24)
The visiting Eagles left Wildcat Memorial Gymnasium with a 40-22 win on Nov. 24.
Thatcher never trailed, leading 14-4 after the opening quarter, 23-10 at halftime, and 28-15 heading into the fourth quarter. Thatcher senior Makenzi Lunt contributed 12 points during the first eight minutes of play, senior Ragan Buhr added the other field goal, and Morenci sophomore Jaylianna Guzzo had four points.
Morenci came within eight, 21-29 with 5:52 remaining, but no closer. The Eagles got Morenci inside player Tiara Jones to pick up a fifth foul, and Makenzi Lunt drilled a pair of free throws for a 31-21 advantage with 5:38 remaining.
Mayeli Salazar countered with 1-3 free throws to trail by nine, 22-31 with 4:00 remaining; Arisela Salazar picked up her fifth foul 19 seconds later, and a 9-0 Thatcher run by five different Eagles completed the scoring.
Morenci connected on 10 field goals plus 2-5 free throws compared to 13 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 12-23 free throws by Thatcher.
Mayeli Salazar had eight points for Morenci, Guzzo, Rozlyn Funari, and Jones four apiece, and Adriana Carbajal two.
For Thatcher, Makenzi Lunt paced all scorers with 18 points on six field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 4-5 free throws. Taylor Henrie added seven points, sophomore Jocelyn Lunt five, Brinlee Skousen three; Buhr, Indiana Jones, and Emry Nelson two apiece, and Claire Palmer one.
