Wildkats face once-beaten Yetis in Flagstaff
By Raymundo Frasquillo
STATEWIDE – The No. 10 Fort Thomas Apaches (10-5 seeding, 6.0442 rating) meet No. 7 North Phoenix Prep (14-3, 15.5842) while No. 13 Duncan (12-6, 3.4823) faces No. 4 Flagstaff Basis (17-1, 17.1335) in the state tourney first round on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The pairings both have 6 p.m. starts.
Fort Thomas has been in the previous two state meets, exiting 0-3 (20-25, 12-25, 15-25) at the hands of No. 2 North Phoenix Prep as No. 10 in the 2025 quarterfinals and 2-3 (22-25, 25-22, 11-25, 25-17, 13-15) to No. 10 Phoenix Maryvale Prep in the 2024 first round.
The Class of 2027 Duncan team members participated in the 2023 meet, falling 0-3 (15-25, 13-25, 8-25) to No. 5 Williams as No. 12.
1A State Tourney First Round (Nov. 3)
The 1A State Tourney begins on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with the First Round at the higher seeds, all with 6 p.m. starts.
Top ranked Scottsdale Cicero Prep (16-1 seeding, 28.6720 rating) host No. 16 Ash Fork (10-5, 1.2137), No. 8 Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (11-2, 8.2363) hosts No. 9 Saint Michael (13-3, 7.1825), No. 5 Heber Mogollon (13-4, 13.8885) hosts No. 12 Tucson’s The Gregory School (13-5, 3.5311), and No. 4 Flagstaff Basis (17-1, 17.1335) hosts No. 13 Duncan (12-6, 3.4823) in the upper bracket.
The lower bracket has No. 3 Rock Point (17-0, 22.9023) hosting No. 14 Williams (11-6, 2.7842), No. 6 Patagonia (14-3, 11.7499) hosts No. 11 Joseph City (10-7, 3.9918), No. 7 North Phoenix Prep (14-3, 15.5842) hosts No. 10 Fort Thomas (11-7, 4.2527), and No. 2 Saint David (16-1, 24.8914) hosts No. 15 Glendale Desert Heights Prep (12-5, 2.2681).
Second-round and quarterfinal pairings match the winners at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, and semifinals at 3 and 5 p.m. on the Scottsdale Coronado campus, 7501 East Virginia Avenue. The 2 p.m. final, also at Coronado, is on Saturday, Nov. 7.
No. 7 North Phoenix Prep Gladiators (14-3 seeding, 11.5864 rating)
The Anghelica Nelson-coached Gladiator (16-4 overall, 14-3 seeding, 8-0 West Region for first of nine) had 14 seeding wins of 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-18) over 1A East Region Kearny Ray on Aug. 31, of 3-0 (25-7, 25-13, 25-7) over California Winterhaven San Pasqual on Sept. 2, of 3-0 (25-10, 25-17, 26-24) over Glendale Desert Heights Prep on Sept. 9, of 3-0 (25-1, 25-10, 25-5) over Phoenix Day School for the Deaf on Sept. 11, of 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-19) over 1A Central Region Ash Fork on Sept. 14, of 3-0 (25-9, 25-22, 25-9) over Phoenix Maryvale Prep on Sept. 16, of 3-0 (25-5, 25-10, 25-10) over Phoenix Valley Lutheran on Sept.296, of 3-0 over Maryvale Prep on Oct. 1, of 3-0 over 2A Valley Region Phoenix NFL Yet on Oct. 2, of 3-0 (25-15, 25-14, 25-21) over Salome on Oct. 14, of 3-1 (25-17, 18-25, 25-12, 25-20) over Desert Heights Prep on Oct. 20, of 3-0 (25-11, 25-17, 25-15) over Wellton Antelope on Oct. 22, of 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-11) over Bagdad on Oct. 26, of and 3-0 (25-10, 25-3, 25-12) over Valley Lutheran on Oct. 27.
The three seeding losses were 0-3 (18-25, 27-29, 25-14) to 1A East Region Scottsdale Cicero Prep on Sept. 18, 0-3 (6-25, 12-25, 12-25) to 1A Central Region Chandler Prep on Sept. 23, and 0-3 to Anthem Prep on Oct. 23.
Additionally, the Gladiators went 0-1* during the 2-day Benjamin Franklin on Sept. 25-26 and 2-0 during the 1A West tourney on Oct. 30. The tourney wins were 3-0 over Valley Lutheran and 3-0 over Desert Heights on Oct. 30, while the loss was 0-2 (16-25, 23-25) to Phoenix Deer Valley on Sept. 26.
North Phoenix Prep lists a 12-member roster of nine seniors, two juniors, and a freshman. The
seniors are Alexandra Cullins (4), Kyanna Delgadillo (16), Kiera Gudenau (6/18), Zoe Ellison (8), Madison Nicholson (3/17), Nora Oliver (8), Maya Pesheva (15), Alexandra Price (10), and Luciana Woelzlein (2); juniors Gwyneth Lofredo (1) and Aria Treat (7); and freshman Lily Bahbah (5).
The Gladiators competed in the 9-member 1A West Region with the Bagdad Sultans, the Glendale Desert Heights Prep Coyotes, the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf Roadrunners, the Phoenix Maryvale Prep Matadors, the Phoenix Valley Lutheran Flames, the Salome Frogs, the Wellton Antelope Rams, and the California Winterhaven San Pasqual Warriors.
No. 10 Fort Thomas Apaches (11-7 seeding, 4.2527 rating)
The Darcy Barney-coached Apaches (13-9 overall, 11-7 seeding, 5-1 East Region for second of seven) had 11 seeding wins of 2-1 (25-23, 25-27, 25-9) over Winkelman Hayden on Sept. 1, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-17) over San Carlos on Sept. 2, of 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 25-15, 22-25, 15-5) over Elfrida Valley Union on Sept. 9, of 3-2 over Willcox on Sept. 15, of 3-1 (21-25, 25-12, 25-13, 25-19) over Grand Canyon on Sept. 18, of 3-0 (26-24, 25-18, 25-21) over San Simon on Sept. 29, of 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-9) over Duncan on Oct. 6, of 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-17) over Superior on Oct. 8, of 3-0 over Dishchii’Bikoh on Oct. 15, of 3-0 over Ray on Oct. 20, and of 3-0 over San Manuel on Oct. 29.
The seven seeding losses were of 0-3 (18-25, 27-29, 25-14) to Pima on Aug. 26, of 1-3 (11-25, 13-25, 25-19, 19-25) to Heber Mogollon on Sept. 10, of 0-3 (11-25, 19-25, 21-25) to Joseph City on Sept. 19, of 1-3 (21-25, 25-22, 19-25, 22-25) to Patagonia on Sept. 23, of 0-3 (14-25, 13-25, 19-25) to Cicero Prep on Oct. 1, of 0-3 (16-25, 15-25, 13-25) to Saint David on Oct. 23, and of 2-3 (22-25, 25-18, 25-21, 21-25, 11-15) to Duncan on Oct. 29.
Additionally, the Apaches went 2-2 during the Second Cochise County Round-up on Aug. 29. Fort Thomas went 2-1 in pool play with wins of 37-33 over San Simon and 44-41 over Bisbee, along with a 36-37 loss to Patagonia. The Apaches finished fourth with a 2-set (25-27, 12-25) loss to host Willcox.
Fort Thomas lists a 10-member roster of four seniors, three juniors, and five sophomores. The seniors are Kynnedee Bryce (21), Kelcie Harvey (27), Jamie Johnson (8), and Tranessa Jones (19); juniors Carmen Antonio (10), Maliah Duncan (11), and Dreona Pike (13); and sophomores Carter Hawkins (4), Jalayah Johnson (6), Cadence Olivar (2), Kinlee Pearson (1), and Aaliyah Peter (16).
The Apaches competed in the 7-member 1A East Region with the Duncan Wildkats, the Kearny Ray Bearcats, the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.
No. 4 Flagstaff Basis Yetis (17-1 seeding, 17.1335 rating)
The Andrew Guthrie-coached Flagstaff Basis Yetis (24-1 overall, 17-1 seeding, 8-1 Central Region for second of ten) had 17 seeding wins of 3-1 (25-20, 25-27, 25-20, 25-20) over 3A West Region Surprise Highland Prep on Aug. 28, of 3-0 (25-10, 25-10, 25-7) over 1A North Region Rough Rock on Sept. 4, of 3-0 (25-16, 25-6, 25-7) over Fort Mohave Desert Star on Sept. 8, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-18) over Peach Springs Music Mountain on Sept. 10, of 3-0 (25-21, 25-9, 25-12) over 2A Black Canyon Region Sedona Red Rock on Sept. 14, of 3-0 (25-11, 25-18, 25-12) over Seligman on Sept. 15, of 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-21) over Mayer on Sept. 17, of 3-1 (25-22, 17-25, 25-19, 25-21) over 2A Central Region Mesa North American Leadership on Sept. 21, of 3-0 (25-7, 25-12, 25-18) over 2A North Region Flagstaff Northland Prep on Sept. 24, of 3-1 (26-24, 25-23, 18-25, 25-22) over 3A North Region Page on Sept. 30, of 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-17) over Grand Canyon on Oct. 6, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-11) over 3A West Region Kingman on Oct. 14, of 3-1 (25-20, 25-14, 19-25, 25-14) over Williams on Oct. 20, of 3-1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 25-21) over Joseph City on Oct. 22, of 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-19) over 2A West Region Wickenburg on Oct. 23, of 3-1 (25-15, 25-23, 24-26, 25-23) over Ash Fork on Oct. 26, and of 3-0 (25-4, 25-15, 25-11) over Seligman on Oct. 28.
The lone seeding loss was 2-3 (11-25, 10-25, 18-25) to Heber Mogollon on Oct. 16.
Additionally, the Yetis went 4-0 during the Arete Prep tourney on Sept. 12 and 3-0 during the 1A Central Region tourney on Oct. 30. Flagstaff Basis had wins of 2-1 over 3A West Region Tonopah Valley, of 2-0 (26-24, 25-20) over 1A West Region Desert Heights Prep, of 2-0 (25-21, 25-21) over Desert Heights, and of 2-0 (25-14, 25-10) over 2A Black Canyon Region Phoenix Christian on Sept. 12; and of 2-0 over Mayer, of 2-0 (25-17, 25-22) over Williams, and of 3-2 (23-25, 26-24, 25-15, 23-25, 15-13) over Mogollon on Oct. 30.
Flagstaff Basis lists a 20-member roster of two juniors, nine sophomores, and nine freshmen. The juniors are Dyvonne Bautista (13) and Tristin Wilson (5); sophomores Cadence Bedoni (6), Lovely Gonzalez, Sophia Hayes (7), Brooke Palmer (2), Athena Smith (10), Ellie Suda, Nova Tan (1), Trisha Thompson, and Rienna Wang (12); and freshmen Ariane Huez, Clara Maring, Tessa Moebes, Olympia Parsons, Harper Peak, Jazzlyn Phillips, Haven Snyder, Atticus Tait, and Ilse Vargas.
The Yetis competed in the 10-member 1A Central Region with the Ash Fork Spartans, the Fort Mohave Desert Star Titan, the Grand Canyon Phantoms, the Heber Mogollon Mustangs, the Joseph City Wildcats, the Mayer Wildcats, the Peach Springs Music Mountain Warriors, the Seligman Antelopes, and the Williams Vikings.
No. 13 Duncan Wildkats (12-6 seeding, 3.4823 rating)
The Kassi Mortensen-coached Duncan Wildkats (19-9 overall, 12-6 seeding, 4-2 East Region for third of seven) had 12 seeding wins of 3-1 (25-23, 25-15, 17-25, 26-24) over 1A South Region Elfrida Valley Union on Aug. 27, of 3-0 (25-19,25- 17,25- 16) over 2A East Region Miami on Sept. 4, of 3-0 (25-9, 25-5, 25-6) over 2A Independent Tucson Catalina on Sept. 9, of 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-20) over Kearny Ray on Sept. 22, of 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-14) over 2A East Region San Carlos on Sept. 24, of 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-15) over Valley Union on Sept. 29, of 3-0 (25-20, 25-7, 25-17) over Winkelman Hayden on Oct. 1, of 3-0 (25-5, 25-7, 25-16) over 1A South Region San Simon on Oct. 8, of 3-1 (19-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-15) over New Mexico Animas on Oct. 12, of 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-14) over San Manuel on Oct. 14, of 3-2 (25-22, 18-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-11) over Fort Thomas on Oct. 27, and of 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-9) over Superior on Oct. 29.
The six seeding losses were of 0-3 (11-25, 10-25, 18-25) to Scottsdale Cicero Prep on Aug. 31, of 2-3 (18-25, 25-16, 25-22, 17-25, 10-15) to San Simon on Sept. 2, of 0-3 (15-25, 19-25, 15-25) to 1A South Region Patagonia on Sept. 10, of 0-3 (14-25, 13-25, 12-25) to 1A South Region Saint David on Sept. 15, of 1-3 (25-19, 16-25, 19-25, 20-25) to 2A Southeast Region Morenci on Oct. 5, and of 2-3 (25-18, 25-23, 23-25, 21-25, 9-15) to Fort Thomas on Oct. 6.
Additionally, the Wildcats went 3-2 during the Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin tourney on Sept. 25-26 and 4-1 during the San Simon tourney on Oct. 17. Duncan had wins of 2-0 (25-11, 25-13) over 2A Southeast Region Bisbee, of 2-0 (25-21, 25-13) over 2A East Region Miami, of 2-1 (15-25, 27-25, 15-9) over 5A Central Region Phoenix Metro Tech on Sept. 25, of 37-33 over Valley Union, of 33-28 over New Mexico Animas, of 36-32 over 1A South Region San Simon, and of 58-15 over 1A South Region ASDB on Oct. 17. The losses were of 1-2 (16-25, 25-23, 9-15) to 4A Kino Region Douglas and of 0-2 (16-25, 17-25) to 4A Black Canyon Region Phoenix Moon Valley on Sept. 26, and of 0-2 (3-25, 26-28) to San Simon on Oct. 17.
Duncan’s 13-member roster includes three seniors, a junior, four sophomores, and five freshmen. The seniors are Lily Ford (20), Sophia Harris (15), and McKenzie Jones (16); junior Haley Bigler (5); sophomores Emma Harris (7), Peyton Hoglan (14), Karli McKinley (10), and Josie Wright (4); and freshmen Kiyana Bruce (12), Mila Herrera (3), Allie Hughes (2), Ashlyn Jensen (6), and Elyana Whitmer (17).
The Wildkats competed in the 8-member 1A East Region with the Fort Thomas Apaches, the Kearny Ray Bearcats, the San Manuel Miners, the Scottsdale Cicero Prep Centurions, the Superior Panthers, and the Winkelman Hayden Lobos.
1A State Rankings
The 1A State Final Rankings as of 11 a.m. on Oct. 31 were Scottsdale Cicero Prep (16-1 seeding, 28.6720 rating) No. 1 of 40, Saint David (16-1, 24.8914) No. 2, Rock Point (17-0, 22.9023) No. 3, Flagstaff Basis (17-1, 17.1335) No. 4, Heber Mogollon (13-4, 13.8885) No. 5, Patagonia (14-3, 11.7499) No. 6, North Phoenix Prep (14-3, 15.5842) No. 7, and Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (11-2, 8.2363) No. 8.
Saint Michael (13-3, 7.1825) was No. 9, Fort Thomas (11-7, 4.2527) No. 10, Joseph City (10-7, 3.9918) No. 11, Tucson’s The Gregory School (13-5, 3.5311) No. 12, Duncan (12-6, 3.4823) No. 13, Williams (11-6, 2.7842) No. 14, Glendale Desert Heights Prep (12-5, 2.2681) No. 15, Ash Fork (10-5, 1.2137) No. 16.
The top 16 ranked teams are the state tourney field with the conclusion of the regular season and region tourneys.
Rankings for other East Region teams were Kearny Ray (8-10, minus 8.6114) No. 22, Superior (3-12, minus 19.0276) No. 31, Winkelman Hayden (4-13, minus 21.3858) No. 32, and San Manuel (1-16, minus 30.4820) No. 37.
The other South Region members were ranked Elfrida Valley Union (10-7, minus 0.2145) No. 18, San Simon (10-6, minus 0.6552) No. 20, Tucson ASDB (1-11, minus 31.4137) No. 38, and Nogales Lourdes Catholic (3-7, unrated) not ranked.
1A East Region
The region standings as of Oct. 31 were Scottsdale Cicero Prep (23-8 overall, 14-1 seeding, 5-0 region), Fort Thomas (12-8, 10-6, 4-1), Duncan (17-9, 10-6, 3-2), Winkelman Hayden (4-11, 4-11, 2-3), Kearny Ray (8-16, 7-10, 2-3), Superior (4-13, 3-10, 1-4), and San Manuel (0-14, 0-14, 0-5).
Region pairing results to date include Cicero Prep of 3-0 (25-11, 25-10, 25-18) over Duncan on Aug. 31, of 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-19) over Fort Thomas on Oct. 1, of 3-0 over Superior on Oct. 6, of 3-0 over Ray on Oct. 8, and of 3-0 over Hayden o Oct. 22; Fort Thomas of 3-0 over Hayden on Sept. 1, of 3-2 (18-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-9) over Duncan on Oct. 6, of 3-0 over Superior on Oct. 8, and of 3-0 over Ray on Oct. 20; Duncan of 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-20) over Ray on Sept. 22, of 3-0 (25-20, 25-7, 25-17) over Hayden on Oct. 1, and of 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-14) over San Manuel on Oct. 14; Hayden of 3-1 (18-25, 25-20, 25-11, 25-11) over San Manuel on Oct. 6 and of 3-1 (25-10, 25-21, 21-25, 25-19) over Superior on Oct. 13; Ray of 3-1 over San Manuel on Sept. 29 and of 3-2 (25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 24-26, 15-9) over Superior on Oct. 14; and Superior of 3-2 (16-25, 18-25, 28-26, 27-25, 15-7) over San Manuel on Oct. 1.
1A South Region
The region standings as of Oct. 31 were Saint David (30-8 overall, 16-1 seeding, 6-0 region), Elfrida Valley Union (13-12*, 10-7, 4-2), Patagonia (19-9, 14-3, 4-2), Tucson’s The Gregory School (18-13, 13-5, 3-3), San Simon (14-12, 10-6, 3-3), Nogales Lourdes Catholic (4-10, 3-7, 1-5), and Tucson ASDB (1-16, 1-11, 0-6).
South Region tourney results were of 3-0 (25-8, 25-13, 25-3) for Saint David over The Gregory School and of 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-18) over Patagonia, of 3-1 for Valley Union over Patagonia, of 2-0 (25-18, 25-13) for The Gregory School over San Simon, and of 2-0 for Patagonia over ASDB on Oct. 30
Region pairings resulted in wins for Saint David of 3-0 (25-5, 25-3, 25-7) over ASDB on Sept. 2, of 3-0 (25-3, 25-11, 25-9) over Lourdes Catholic on Sept. 4, of 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-9) over San Simon on Sept. 21, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-14) over The Gregory School on Oct. 6, of 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-23) over Valley Union on Oct. 14, of 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-21) over Patagonia on Oct. 19; Patagonia of 3-1 (19-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-11) over The Gregory School on Sept. 2, of 3-0 (25-7, 25-9, 25-13) over ASDB on Sept. 8, of 3-1 (25-10, 22-25, 25-5, 25-20) over San Simon on Oct. 2, and of 3-0 (25-20, 25-7, 25-19) over Lourdes Catholic on Oct. 6; The Gregory School of 3-0 (25-9, 25-8, 25-10) over ASDB on Sept. 3, of 3-1 (19-25, 25-12, 25-20, 25-20) over San Simon on Sept. 9, and of 3-1 (25-17, 22-25, 26-24, 25-17) over Lourdes Catholic on Oct. 22; Valley Union of 3-0 over Lourdes Catholic on Sept. 11, of 3-2 (20-25, 25-13, 23-25, 25-22, 18-16) over The Gregory School on Oct. 8, of 3-0 (28-26, 25-22, 25-18) over Patagonia on Oct. 13, and of 3-0 (25-14, 25-7, 25-12) over ASDB on Oct. 28; and San Simon of 3-2 (25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 11-25, 15-13) over Valley Union on Sept. 15 and of 3-0 (25-5, 25-14, 25-10) ASDB on Sept. 18.
