Steve Carter File Photos/Special to the Gila Herald: Thatcher boys basketball coach Kyle Hull has been named the 3A South Region Coach of the Year, and Bradley Curtis is the 3A South Region Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
By Jon Johnson
THATCHER – After sweeping the 3A South Region and going 13-1 in the conference during the regular season, Thatcher’s head coach and court leader have been awarded some recognitions.
Kyle Hull has been chosen as the 3A South Region Coach of the Year, and Bradley Curtis has been chosen as both the 3A South Region Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
3A South Region Coach of the Year
Hull guided the Eagles to the playoffs again in his third season after finishing going unbeaten (9-0) in the region and capturing the 3A South title.
Hull started as Thatcher’s head coach just as the team made the move into the 3A Conference from 2A for the 2020/21 season and are now region champions.
Thatcher defeated Chinle in the opening round of the 3A State Boys Basketball Championship playoffs 83-64 but fell in the next round to eventual 3A State Champion Valley Christian, 36-79.
3A South Region Player of the Year/Defensive Player of the Year
Thatcher’s Bradley Curtis has been chosen as both the 3A South Region Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
Curtis averaged a double/double with 21.7 points per game on 62% shooting and 12.1 rebounds per game. According to stats on MaxPreps, Curtis finished with 628 points and 351 rebounds this season, along with 27 blocks.
3A South Region Offensive Player of the Year
Weston Haebig of Sabino was chosen as the region’s Offensive Player of the Year. Haebig averaged 28.7 points per game while shooting 72% from the field.
3A South All-Region 1st Team:
Brandon Napier, Thatcher; Jojo Ruelas, Safford; Ryan Robinson, Pusch Ridge; Roy Martin, Palo Verde Magnet; Kameron Pippen, Palo Verde Magnet; Caden Watkins, Tanque Verde.
3A South All-Region 2nd Team:
Christian Carter, Thatcher; Jeramiah Garcia, Safford; Korbin Jessup, Sabino; Julian Blackburne, Palo Verde Magnet; Chris Herndon, Tanque Verde; Mason Hoke, Pusch Ridge.
Local 3A South Region Honorable Mention:
Brayden Bowman, Safford; Nathaniel Quintero, Safford; Cody Jones, Thatcher; Duncan Landon, Thatcher; Bryce Larson, Thatcher.
