Fort Thomas slips past Sabino for third place
By Raymundo Frasquillo
THATCHER – Thatcher turned in a 28-16 effort in the final 9:12 to pull away from Pima for a 72-58 win on Dec. 20. It was for the 62nd Eastern Arizona Holiday Tourney championship, the Eagles’ 23rd title, and the 38th time as a finalist. Pima is 9-10 as a finalist. The teams have been 17 of 20 finalists in the most recent decade. In addition, the 2A East Region Roughriders can boast a 19-9 state tourney record with the 2023 title in hand, while the 3A South Region Eagles are 3-5 with a lone 2019 semifinal berth to their name in the same span.
A pair of free throws by senior Keegan Corona pulled the Roughriders within 42-44 with 1:51 left in the third quarter, but no closer. Thatcher freshman Jay Way drilled 2-2 free throws 39 seconds later and 1-2 with a second left for a 50-44 three-quarters home team advantage. Thatcher led 33-27 at halftime, and Pima led 21-16 following the first quarter.
On the evening, the Kyle Hull-coached Eagles connected on 28 field goals (eight 3-pointers) plus 8-15 free throws while the Cliff Thompson-coached Roughriders made 21 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 14-20 free throws. Thatcher and Pima both had three players score in double digits.
Senior Isaac Palmer paced the Eagles with 20 points on seven field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 3-7 free throws, Way 15 on five field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 3-4 free throws, and senior Chad Johnson 10 on five field goals. Senior Bronson Stringfellow and junior Wade Hull added nine points apiece, senior Braden Bryce six, junior Jay Carter two, and sophomore Kase Palmer one.
For Pima, Corona had 20 points on four field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 11-12 free throws, junior Tanner Smith 13 on six field goals, and senior Charles Richardson 12 on five field goals plus 2-5 free throws. Junior Joel Mattice added six points, junior Stratton McRae four, and senior Isaac Thompson three.
Thatcher (11-1 overall, 5-1 seeding, 1-0 region) is competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with Tucson Tanque Verde (6-7, 4-3, 1-0), Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (8-4, 5-1, 0-0), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (8-2, 5-1, 0-0), Safford (6-9, 2-3, 0-0), Tucson Empire (4-8, 3-4, 0-0), Tucson Sabino (8-6, 3-2, 0-0), Tucson Catalina (0-11, 0-7, 0-0), and Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (1-12, 0-9, 02).
The Kyle Hull-coached Eagles head to the 3-day Show Low tourney on Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 1-3, host Tucson Amphitheater on Monday, Jan. 5, and Douglas on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Pima (14-2 overall, 4-0 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 9-member 2A East Region with the Gilbert San Tan Charter Roadrunners (10-3, 7-0, 1-0), the San Carlos Braves (10-2, 6-2, 0-0), the Gilbert Classical Saprtans (9-2, 7-1, 0-0), the Miami Vandals (7-8, 2-3, 0-0), the Gilbert Arete Prep Chargers (6-5, 3-4, 0-0), the Chandler Lincoln Prep Lightning (4-7, 3-4, 0-1), the Gilbert Leading Edge Spartans (2-6, 2-5, 0-0), and the Chandler Prep Titans (0-6, 0-6, 0-0).
The Cliff Thompson-coached Roughriders host Eagar Round Valley on Tuesday, Jan. 6, visit Morenci on Jan. 8, and host Chandler Prep on Friday, Jan. 9.
Thatcher is averaging a 63-51 (1,066-867) score per game or a 12-point margin through 17 games, while Pima is averaging a 64-50 (1,021-796) score per game or a 14-point margin through 16 games.
62nd Eastern Arizona Holiday All-Tourney Team
A 15-member all-tournament team had players from 11 of the dozen participants.
Meet champion Thatcher and runner-up Pima, who landed three players each on the 2025 honor team. Thatcher had senior Chad Johnson (30), freshman Jay Way (10), and the tourney Most Valuable Player, senior Isaac Palmer (33). In contrast, Pima had seniors Keegan Corona (14) and Charles Richardson (32) along with junior Joel Mattice (30).
Third place Fort Thomas had senior Demarae Dosela (31), fourth place Sabino had senior Isaiah Stevens (2), fifth place Safford had senior Mason Hatch (3), sixth place Hayden had junior Tyler Garner (55), seventh place Saint Johns had senior Treharn Platt (1), and eighth place Morenci had senior Adrian McCabe (25).
The remaining three honorees were from the Round Robin participants, Sahuarita junior Ruben Villalba (11), Show Low senior Halee Dazen (20), and Empire sophomore Isaac Buchanan (10).
Corona, Johnson, Palmer, and Richardson were also on the 2024 honor team, and Corona, Dosela, and Palmer were on the 2023 team.
3rd Place: Fort Thomas – 74, Sabino – 70
Fort Thomas turned in a 28-16 fourth-quarter effort to secure third place.
A free throw dropping through after being fouled on a made field goal by senior Damarae Dosela knotted the score at 65-65 with 3:01 left to play. A field goal 31 seconds later by senior Justin Olivar gave the Matthew Dona-coached Fort Thomas the lead for good. Sabino got within one, 70-71, with 48 seconds remaining on senior Isaiah Stevens’ field goal, but Sabino was unable to tie or retake the lead. The Marvin Beckwith-coached Sabercats led 12-10 after the first quarter, 29-26 at halftime, and 54-46 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth quarter scoring was 21 points on four field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 10-13 free throws by Dosela, three by senior Michael Olivar, and two apiece by both Justin Olivar and sophomore Malachi Johnson.
For the game, the 1A South Region Fort Thomas Apaches made 24 field goals (10 3-pointers) plus 16-25 free throws compared to 29 field goals (seven 3-pointers) plus 5-10 free throws by the 3A South Region Tucson Sabino Sabercats.
Dosela netted 37 points on nine field goals (five 3-pointers) plus 14-17 free throws, and senior Channing Wilson 10 on four field goals (two 3-pointers). Michael Olivar added nine points, Johnson six, senior Kobe Hunter four, Justin Olivar and sophomore Amare Ethelbah three apiece, and freshman Elijah Titla two.
For Sabino, Stevens tallied 26 points on 11 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 0-2 free throws, senior Roman Duarte 11 on five field goals plus 1-1 free throws, and M. Froo 10 on four field goals plus 2-2 free throws. Junior Nolan Hensen added seven points, senior Josh Curtis six, freshman Josiah Miller four, and both senior Wes McDonough and sophomore Isaac Mendele three each.
Fort Thomas (14-4 overall, 6-0 seeding, 1-0 region) is competing in the 8-member 1A East Region with Winkelman Hayden (8-3, 6-0, 1-0), Phoenix Valley Lutheran (9-2, 6-0, 1-0), Kearny Ray (9-4, 6-1, 0-1), Duncan (6-5, 4-3, 0-0), Superior (4-9, 2-6, 0-1), San Manuel (1-12, 1-8, 0-1), and Scottsdale Cicero Prep (1-4, 1-4, 0-0).
The Matthew Dona-coached Apaches host Hayden on Jan. 6, visit Heber Mogollon on Jan. 9, and Rock Point on Saturday, Jan. 10.
Sabino (8-6 overall, 3-2 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with Thatcher (11-1, 5-1, 1-0), Tucson Tanque Verde (6-7, 4-3, 1-0), Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (8-4, 5-1, 0-0), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (8-2, 5-1, 0-0), Safford (6-9, 2-3, 0-0), Tucson Empire (4-8, 3-4, 0-0), Tucson Catalina (0-11, 0-7, 0-0), and Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (1-12, 0-9, 02).
The Marvin Beckwith-coached Sabercats host Yuma Catholic on Jan. 6 and Amphitheater on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Fort Thomas is averaging a 69-54 (1,239-966) score per game or a 15-point margin through 18 games, while Sabino is averaging a 64-61 (894-853) score per game or a 3-point margin through 14 games.
5th Place: Safford – 65, Hayden – 52
The Danny Smith-coached Bulldogs pulled away from a 44-43 three-quarters edge with a 21-9 fourth quarter effort to claim fifth place. A 47-43 Safford advantage 27 seconds into the final eight minutes disappeared 59 seconds later with field goals by Hayden senior Tyler Garner and junior Lucas Gonzalez. The 47-47 tie was short-lived as Safford senior Mason Hatch drilled a 3-pointer five seconds later to give the Bulldogs the lead for good.
Safford got 13 fourth-quarter points from sophomore Trae Gaines, eight from senior Mason Hatch, and one from sophomore Lamar Ellis. The Ramon Gonzalez-coached Lobos had led 13-11 after the first quarter and 27-21 at halftime.
The 3A South Region Safford Bulldogs connected on 21 field goals (nine 3-pointers) plus 14-26 free throws, while the 1A Winkelman Hayden Lobos made 20 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 10-16 free throws.
Nine Bulldogs contributed to the scoring total. Gaines totaled 21 points on five field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 9-13 free throws, and Hatch 18 on six field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 2-2 free throws. Junior Dane Jacobson and sophomore Hayden Larson added eight points apiece, senior Fernando Felix and junior Jacob Gomez three each, junior Cade Kenehan two, and both junior Aaron Barnes and sophomore Lamar Ellis one apiece.
Six of nine Lobos scored, with Gonzalez getting 12 points on four field goals plus 4-4 free throws and Tyler Garner 11 on five field goals plus 1-2 free throws. Junior Ryan Garner added nine points, senior Mario Hong and sophomore Marcos Hong seven apiece, and senior Kino Lorona six.
Safford (6-9 overall, 2-3 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with Thatcher (11-1, 5-1, 1-0), Tucson Tanque Verde (6-7, 4-3, 1-0), Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (8-4, 5-1, 0-0), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (8-2, 5-1, 0-0), Tucson Empire (4-8, 3-4, 0-0), Sabino (8-6, 3-2, 0-0), Tucson Catalina (0-11, 0-7, 0-0), and Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (1-12, 0-9, 02).
The Danny Smith-coached Bulldogs visit Saint David on Jan. 6 and Snowflake on Jan. 8, and host Catalina on Jan. 9.
Hayden (8-4 overall, 6-0 seeding, 1-0 region) is competing in the 8-member 1A East Region with Phoenix Valley Lutheran (9-2, 6-0, 1-0), Fort Thomas (14-4, 6-0, 1-0), Kearny Ray (9-4, 6-1, 0-1), Duncan (6-5, 4-3, 0-0), Superior (4-9, 2-6, 0-1), San Manuel (1-12, 1-8, 0-1), and Scottsdale Cicero Prep (1-4, 1-4, 0-0).
The Ramon Gonzalez-coached Lobos went 0-1 during the 2-day Arete Prep tourney on Jan. 2-3, visit Fort Thomas on Jan. 6, Tucson’s The Gregory School on Jan. 9, and San Simon on Jan. 10.
Safford is averaging a 61-65 (908-980) score per game or a 4-point deficit through 15 games, while Hayden is averaging a 54-49 (643-585) score per game or a 5-point margin through 12 games.
7th Place: Saint Johns – 44, Morenci – 41
Senior John French scored a field goal midway through the fourth quarter to give Saint Johns a 35-34 lead it would not relinquish for the rest of the game. The Casey Heap-coached Redskins outscored the Ruben Leonard-coached Wildcats 9-7 during the remaining 3:19, bolstered by making 6-6 free throws in the closing 1:29.
Numerous third-quarter shot-clock violations contributed to the 6-13 deficit, yet Morenci trailed 29-31 heading into the fourth quarter despite a 23-18 halftime advantage. However, the Wildcats were unable to make up for their fruitless third-quarter possessions with a 12-13 final quarter.
For the game, the 2A North Region Saint Johns Redskins tallied 13 field goals (six 3-pointers) plus 12-16 free throws compared to 14 field goals (five 3-pointers) plus 8-10 free throws by the 2A South Region Morenci Wildcats.
Senior Max Udall had a game-high 21 points on six field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 12-16 free throws. French added nine points, senior Treharn Platt seven, senior Colten Platt four, and junior Brody Waite three.
Five Wildcats scored, with junior Ayman Abdulquader netting 15 points on seven field goals (one 3-pointer) and senior Derick Lytle 11 on three field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 4-4 free throws. Senior Adrian McCallum added seven points, junior Adrian McCabe five, and junior Damian Espino three.
Saint Johns (7-8 overall, 1-3 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 9-member 2A North Region with the Pinon Eagles (8-4, 5-3, 1-0), the Eagar Round Valley Elks (7-5, 5-2, 1-0), the Many Farms Lobos 6-8(, 3-6, 1-1), the Flagstaff Northland Prep Spartans (8-5, 3-1, 0-0), the Keams Canyon Hopi Bruins (4-7, 2-5, 0-0), the Sanders Valley Pirates (3-9, 2-5, 0-0), the Tuba City Greyhills Knights (1-6, 1-5, 0-2), and the Colorado City El Capitan Eagles (0-0, 0-0).
The Casey Heap-coached Redskins visit Miami on Jan. 6 and host Keams Canyon Hopi on Jan. 10.
Morenci (6-9, 2-2, 0-0) is competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with the Bisbee Pumas (6-3, 3-1, 1-0), the Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves (7-2, 4-0, 0-0), the Tucson Desert Christian Eagles (4-6, 3-2, 0-0), the Benson Bobcats (6-4, 2-2, 0-0), the Tucson Santa Rita Eagles (5-8, 5-5, 0-0), the Tucson San Miguel Catholic Vipers (3-6, 3-6, 0-0), the Willcox Cowboys (10-4, 3-3, 0-0), and the Tombstone Yellow Jackets (1-16, 1-6, 0-1).
The Ruben Leonard-coached Wildcats visit the San Miguel Vipers on Jan. 6, host Pima on Jan. 8, and visit Willcox on Jan. 9.
Saint Johns is averaging a 52-66 (784-985) score per game or a 16-point deficit, while Morenci is averaging a 38-50 (565-747) score per game or a 12-point deficit, both through 15 games.
Round Robin Results, Day 2-3 (Dec. 19-20)
The Round Robin participants were the four teams that succumbed twice during pool play. The Daryl Jones-coached 4A Gila Region Sahuarita Mustangs (3-2) defeated the Chad Smith-coached 3A South Region Tucson Empire Ravens (1-4) 60-50 in Guitteau Gymnasium (Dec. 19), the Joshua Moore-coached 2A South Region Tucson Desert Christian Eagles (1-4) 58-47 in Norma Bellamy Gymnasium (Dec. 19), and the Darryl Suber-coached 3A East Region Show Low Cougars (2-3) 63-49 on the Thatcher High campus (Dec. 20).
Show Low defeated both Desert Christian 45-39 and Empire 60-50 at Thatcher (Dec. 19), and Empire defeated Desert Christian 55-49 at Thatcher (Dec. 20).
Sahuarita (6-9 overall, 2-4 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 5-member 4A Gila Region with the Tucson Cholla Chargers (9-1, 7-0, 0-0), the Douglas Bulldogs (11-4, 3-2, 0-0), the Tucson Amphitheater Panthers (0-7, 0-7, 0-0), and the Rio Rico Hawks (0-10, 0-7, 0-0).
The Daryl Jones-coached Mustangs visit Vail Cienega on Jan. 7 and host Sahuarita Walden Grove on Jan. 9.
Show Low (4-7, 2-4, 0-0) is competing in the 6-member 3A East Region with Snowflake (5-5, 3-2, 1-0), Winslow (9-3, 7-1, 0-0), Holbrook (10-6, 5-2, 0-1), Whiteriver Alchesay (7-6, 5-2, 0-0), and Lakeside Blue Ridge (2-8, 1-5, 0-0).
The Darryl Stuber-coached Cougars host a 3-day tourney on Jan. 1-3, host Blue Ridge on Tuesday, Jan. 6, and Winslow on Friday, Jan. 9.
Empire (4-8 overall, 3-4 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with Thatcher (11-1, 5-1, 1-0), Tucson Tanque Verde (6-7, 4-3, 1-0), Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (8-4, 5-1, 0-0), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (8-2, 5-1, 0-0), Safford (6-9, 2-3, 0-0), Sabino (8-6, 3-2, 0-0), Tucson Catalina (0-11, 0-7, 0-0), and Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (1-12, 0-9, 02).
The Chad Smith-coached Ravens went 2-3 during the 3-day Show Low tourney on Jan. 1-3 and visit Desert Christian on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Desert Christian (5-9 overall, 3-2 seeding, 0-0 region) is competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with the Bisbee Pumas (6-3, 3-1, 1-0), the Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves (7-2, 4-0, 0-0), the Benson Bobcats (6-4, 2-2, 0-0), the Morenci Wildcats (6-9, 2-2, 0-0), the Tucson Santa Rita Eagles (5-8, 5-5, 0-0), the Tucson San Miguel Catholic Vipers (3-6, 3-6, 0-0), the Willcox Cowboys (7-3, 3-3, 0-0), and the Tombstone Yellow Jackets (1-16, 1-6, 0-1).
The Troy Talmadge-coached Eagles went 1-3 during the 2-day Arete Prep tourney on Jan. 2-3, and will host Tombstone on Jan. 6 and Empire on Jan. 8, and visit Sells Baboquivari on Jan. 10.
Sahuarita is averaging a 52-56 (778-841) score per game or a 4-point deficit through 15 games, Show Low is averaging a 55-61 (822-917) score per game or a 6-point deficit through 15 games, Empire is averaging a 56-57 (952-971) score per game or a 1-point deficit through 17 games, and Desert Christian is averaging a 52-56 (733-787) score per game or a 4-point deficit through 14 games,
Pool Play Results, Day 1 (Dec. 18)
Pima (2-0) was first, Hayden (1-1) second, and Sahaurita (0-2) third for Pool A on the Pima campus. The 2A East Region Roughriders defeated the 1A East Region Winkelman Hayden Lobos 70-32, and the 4A Gila Region Sahuarita Mustangs 73-51. Hayden defeated Sahuarita 51-45.
Thatcher (2-0) was first, Saint Johns (1-1) second, and Empire (0-2) third for Pool B on the Thatcher campus. The 3A South Region Thatcher Eagles defeated the 3A South Region Tucson Empire Ravens 69-58 and the 2A North Region Saint Johns Redskins 71-52. Saint Johns defeated Empire 56-42.
Fort Thomas (1-1) was first, Safford (1-1) second, and Tucson Desert Christian (1-1) third for Pool C in Norma Bellamy Gymnasium. The tie-breaker was the win margin (point differential). The 1A East Region Fort Thomas Apaches defeated the 2A South Region Desert Christian Eagles 70-50, or a plus 20; the 3A South Region Safford Bulldogs defeated Fort Thomas 70-60, or plus 10; and Desert Christian defeated Safford 52-45, or plus seven.
Sabino (2-0) was first, Morenci (1-1) second, and Show Low (0-2) third for Pool D in Guitteau Gymnasium. The 3A South Region Tucson Sabino Sabercats defeated the 2A South Region Morenci Wildcats 76-73 in overtime and the 3A East Region Show Low Cougars 62-37. Morenci defeated Show Low 66-50.
Eastern Arizona Holiday Tourney History
The meet was initially held in 1963 with six teams playing seven games over two days on the Eastern Arizona College campus. Sierra Vista Buena toppled Duncan 87-63 for first place, Clifton edged Fort Thomas 68-66 for third place, and Thatcher slipped past Pima 50-46 in overtime for fifth place.
It continued at EAC, with eight teams playing 12 games over three days, until the 2020-21 school year, except for last-minute cancellations. Non-state tournaments in any sport were not allowed by the state’s governing body, the Arizona Interscholastic Association.
The 2021-23 meets continued with eight teams playing 12 games over three days. The field expanded to 12 teams, each playing five games across four sites. A total of 30 games were held over the 3-day 2024 meet.
In the expanded 12-team field in 2024, Pima qualified for bracket play by defeating Tucson Empire 64-42 and Winkelman Hayden 65-26 during pool play on day one. Pima dispatched Apache Junction 59-30 during the first round, edged Tucson Tanque Verde 46-44 in the semifinals in Guitteau Gymnasium on day two, and prevailed 62-43 over Morenci for the title on day three. It was the Roughriders’ ninth title and 18th finalist appearance.
Morenci reached the finale via a 54-45 semifinal win over Thatcher at Thatcher and a 60-59 edge over Fort Thomas during the first round at Safford, along with pool wins of 82-58 over Tucson Pueblo and 73-55 over Safford in Norma Bellamy Gymnasium. The Wildcats ended 3-7 as finalists.
Tanque Verde dialed long distance to slip past Thatcher 75-72 for third place, Tucson Empire pulled away from Safford 71-45 for fifth place, and Fort Thomas defeated Apache Junction 56-40 for seventh place.
In the other first-round pairings, Thatcher defeated Empire 59-44, and Tanque Verde defeated Safford 61-42. In consolation-round results on the second day, Empire defeated Fort Thomas 72-71, and Safford defeated Apache Junction 79-76.
Thatcher (126-54), Pima (102-85), and Fort Thomas (87-102) have been in all 62 tourneys; Safford (102-53) in 51 (12th-62nd); Morenci (68-52) in 41 (4th-7th, 18th-37th, 45th-62nd); Hayden (7-12) in five (5th-7th, 61st-62nd); Saint Johns (6-7) in three (59th, 61st-62nd), and Tucson Sabino (3-2) in one (62nd).
Non-2025-placers Sahuarita (7-10) has been in five (8th-11th, 62nd) tourneys, Show Low (4-10) in four (12th-13th, 22nd, 62nd), Tucson Empire (4-6) in two (61st-62nd), and Tucson Desert Christian (2-3) in one (62nd).
There have been 17 finalists, 12 champions, and five runners-up. Thatcher is 23-15, Safford (9-12), Pima (9-10), Fort Thomas (9-4), Morenci (3-7), Kearny Ray (2-1), Holbrook (2-3), Sierra Vista Buena (1-0), Tombstone (1-0), Clifton (1-1), Eagar Round Valley (1-1), Willcox (1-1), Duncan (0-3), Hayden (0-1), Superior (0-1), Tanque Verde (0-1), and Mexico’s Academia Juarez (0-1).
Individually, Fort Thomas senior Damarae Dosela became the second player to finish a tourney game with 37 points, doing so during the 74-70 third-place win over Sabino on Dec. 20, 2025. He tied Daniel Corona of Duncan for sixth place, doing so during the 53-62 fifth-place loss to Pima (Dec. 31, 2014). Dosela connected on nine field goals (five 3-pointers) plus 14-17 free throws, while Corona totaled 11 field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 11-12 free throws.
Frank Campos of Superior holds the record for most points scored with 47 on 19 field goals plus 9-14 free throws during a 70-72 first-round loss to Ray (Dec. 28, 1966). Bobby Hancock of Safford is second, netting 43 points during the 65-70 title game loss to Tombstone (Dec. 30, 1976); Pima’s Ron and Rex Bryce both totaled 42 points, Ron on 18 field goals plus 6-7 free throws during the 77-60 title game win over Thatcher (Dec. 29, 1972) and Rex on 15 field goals plus 12-15 free throws during an 80-63 consolation win over Fort Thomas (Dec. 28, 1984); and in fifth place is Chris Morales of Clifton with 38 points on 16 field goals (six 3-pointers) during the 62-64 fifth place loss to Willcox (Dec. 30, 1987).
Forty-four players have scored 30 or more points, 13 with 30, the first by Bob Yniguez of Superior during an 89-48 consolation win over Thatcher (Dec. 29, 1966); nine with 31, the first by Martk McBride of Pima during a 60-49 first round win over Thatcher (Dec. 28, 1966); two with 32, the first by Scott Miller of Willcox during a 54-49 first round win over Duncan (Dec. 29, 1980); six with 33, the first by Henry Meza of Ray for the 75-45 title win over Clifton (Dec. 30, 1965); four with 34, the first by Robin Archer of Morenci during an 83-81 first round win over Clifton (Dec. 28, 1966); three with 35, the first by Leon Anderson of Fort Thomas during a 66-68 third place loss (Dec. 28, 1963); and seven with 36, the first by Rory Laney of Clifton during a 61-78 semifinal loss to Safford (Jan. 3, 1975).
The most individual points scored during a 3-game tourney (Dec. 29-31, 2014) have been 104 by Daniel Corona on 34 field goals (eight 3-pointers) plus 28-30 free throws; the most team points score in a game were 105 by Safford during a 105-33 first round win over Show Low (Dec. 31, 1975); the most team points scored during three games (Dec. 27-29, 2007) has been 229 by Safford versus Pima, Willcox, Holbrook; the most individual 3-pointers scored in a match has been eight by Carson Goodman of Thatcher during a 58-37 first round win over Fort Thomas (Dec. 29, 2014); the most individual 3-pointers scored in three games has been 14 by Cole Claridge of Safford versus Tanque Verde (4), Fort Thomas (5), Pima (5) during the 50th tourney (Dec. 27-29, 2012); the most free throws made per game has been 16-18 by Ron Williams of Duncan during a first round loss to Clifton (Dec. 28, 1970); the most free throws attempted have been 14-20 by Dustin Crockett of Pima during a 69-67 first round win over Safford (Dec. 28, 1981); the most team free throws made and attempted in a game were 48-67 by Pima during a 72-57 semifinal win over Clifton (Dec. 29, 1970); the most personal fouls committed by a team in a game 40 by Clifton during a 57-72 semifinal loss to Pima (Dec. 29, 1970); and most players fouled out in a match were five by Thatcher during a 62-75 seventh place loss to Duncan (Dec. 30, 1966) and Clifton during a 57-72 semifinal loss to Pima (Dec. 29, 1970).
