By Raymundo Frasquillo
TRI-COUNTIES – A variety of styles, both offensive and defensive, will be on display locally as several area teams hold home games throughout the week.
Tenth ranked 3A Thatcher (7-1 seeding, 12.0795 rating) hosts 3A No. 43 Catalina (0-9, minus 20.3890), 3A No. 24 Safford (4-4, 2.8350) hosts 3A No. 1 Palo Verde Magnet (7-1, 18.7288), 2A No. 27 Morenci (3-4, minus 0.4944) hosts 2A No. 18 North Region Eagar Round Valley (5-4, 3.5165), and 1A No. 1 Fort Thomas (9-0, 17.8884) hosts No. 15 Duncan (6-4, minus 1.5029) on Tuesday, Jan. 13; 2A No. 2 Pima (8-0, 16.8335) hosts Thatcher on Wednesday, Jan. 14; Morenci hosts 2A No. 23 Saint Augustine Catholic (6-1, 1.3856), Duncan hosts 1a No. 7 Hayden (7-2, 5.1812), and 2A No. 29 Willcox (5-4, minus 0.9621) hosts 2A No. 28 Bisbee (4-1, minus 0.9063) on Thursday, Jan. 15; and Duncan hosts 1A No. 18 Cicero Prep (2-6, minus 2.7310) on Saturday, Jan. 17.
Games this week (Jan. 13-17)
This week in the 3A South Region, Thatcher hosts Catalina, Safford hosts Palo Verde Magnet, Tanque Verde hosts Empire, Pusch Ridge hosts Sabino, and Andrada Polytechnic visits 1A South Region Patagonia on Jan. 13; Thatcher visits 2A East Region Pima, Sabino hosts 2A South Region Desert Christian, Andrada Polytechnic hosts 1A East Region Ray, and Catalina visits 4A Gila Region Douglas on Jan. 14; Thatcher hosts 3A Central Chandler Valley Christian, Safford visits 2A North Region Eagar Round Valley, Tanque Verde hosts Andrada Polytechnic, Palo Verde hosts Pusch Ridge, and Sabino visits Empire on Jan. 16; and Palo Verde visits 3A Metro Region Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin and Pusch Ridge hosts 2A East Region Pima on Jan. 17.
Scheduled in the 2A South Region, Bisbee visits 1A South Region Elfrida Valley Union, Benson visits 1A South Region Sells Baboquivari, Morenci hosts 2A North Region Eagar Round Valley, and Saint Augustine hosts 1A South Region Nogales Lourdes Catholic on Jan. 13; Desert Christian visits 3A South Region Sabino, Benson hosts Morenci, and Tombstone hosts 1A South Region Saint David on Jan. 14; and Bisbee visits Willcox, Desert Christian visits San Miguel, Benson hosts Santa Rita, and Morenci hosts Saint Augustine Catholic on Jan. 15.
For the 2A East Region members, Miami hosts Dishchii’bikoh on Jan. 13; Pima hosts 3A South Region Thatcher and Leading Edge visits 2A Valley Region Phoenix Arizona Lutheran on Jan. 14; Lincoln Prep hosts Miami, Pima visits Leading Edge, San Carlos visits Gilbert Classical, and Chandler Prep visits San Tan Charter on Jan. 15; San Carlos visits 2A Valley Region Phoenix Horizon Honors on Jan. 16; and Pima visits 3A South Region Pusch Ridge Christian and Miami visits 2A Valley Region Phoenix Country Day School on Jan. 17.
The 1A East Region has Valley Lutheran hosting Hayden, Fort Thomas hosting Duncan, and Superior hosting San Manuel on Jan. 13; Fort Thomas visiting Dishchii’bikoh and Ray visiting 3A South Region Tucson Andrada Polytechnic on Jan. 14; Hayden visiting Duncan and Cicero Prep visiting Tucson’s The Gregory School on Jan. 15; Valley Lutheran hosting San Manuel, Fort Thomas visiting 1A West Region Salome, and Hayden hosting Superior on Jan. 16; and Duncan hosting Cicero Prep on Jan. 17.
3A No. 10 Thatcher Eagles (7-1 seeding, 12.0795)
Thatcher is averaging a 63-51 (1,066-867) score per game or a 12-point margin through 17 games.
A 12-member roster has six seniors, four juniors, a sophomore, and a freshman. The seniors are Braden Bryce (13), Chad Johnson (30), Brigham Palmer (3), Isaac Palmer (33), Dylan Riney (31), and Bronson Stringfellow (24), juniors Jay Carter (12), Brant Duncan (2), Wade Hull (11), and Hudson Lopeman (1); sophomore Kase Palmer (23); and freshman JayLeon Way (10).
The Kyle Hull-coached Eagles are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region, along with the Safford Bulldogs, the Tucson schools Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, Catalina Trojans, Empire Ravens, Palo Verde Magnet Titans, Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, Sabino Sabercats, and Tanque Verde Hawks.
3A No. 24 Safford Bulldogs (4-4 seeding, 2.8350 rating)
Safford (8-10 overall, 4-4 seeding, 1-0 region) is averaging a 60-63 (1,085-1,132) score per game or a 3-point deficit through 18 games.
A 12-member roster includes four seniors, four juniors, and four sophomores. The seniors are Fernando Felix (5), Mason Hatch (3), Grady Lackner (4), and Royal Smith (15); juniors Aaron Barnes (11), Jacob Gomez (22), Dane Jacobson (10), and Cade Kenehan (25); and sophomores Kaybian Chavez (12), Lamar Ellis (20), Trae Gaines (24), and Hayden Larson (14).
The Danny Smith-coached Bulldogs are competing in the 9-member 3A South Region, along with the Thatcher Eagles, the Tucson schools Andrada Polytechnic Mustangs, Catalina Trojans, Empire Ravens, Palo Verde Magnet Titans, Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, Sabino Sabercats, and Tanque Verde Hawks.
3A State Rankings
The initial rankings for the Top 24 of 45 statewide 3A schools at noon on Jan. 13 were Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (7-1 seeding, 18.7288 rating) No. 1, Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (9-1, 17.7772) No. 2, Coolidge (9-1, 17.6969) No. 3, Chandler Seton Catholic (8-2, 15.8116) No. 4, Winslow (9-1, 14.3763) No. 5, Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (6-1, 14.0269) No. 6, Chandler Valley Christian (6-2, 13.0307) No. 7, and Chinle (8-3, 12.9276) No. 8.
Gilbert Christian (5-3, 12.8406) was No. 9, Thatcher (7-1, 12.0795) No. 10, Payson (6-2, 11.9211) No. 11, Holbrook (7-3, 10.9576) No. 12, Mohave Valley River Valley (9-9, 10.9102) No. 13, Snowflake (4-4, 9.1921) No. 14, Whiteriver Alchesay (6-3, 9.0956) No. 15, and Tucson Sabino (5-2, 7.4476) No. 16.
Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (5-4, 7.3126) was No. 17, Yuma Catholic (5-5, 6.8990) No. 18, Waddell American Leadership – West Foothills (5-4, 6.0958) No. 19, Tuba City (7-4, 5.0739) No. 20, Florence (5-4, 4.5610) No. 21, Fort Defiance Window Rock (5-5, 4.0705) No. 22, Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (6-4, 3.6759) No. 23, and Safford (4-4, 2.8350) No. 24.
3A South Region Standings
Standings for the 3A South Region as of Jan. 12 were Thatcher (13-1 overall, 7-1 seeding, 1-0 region), Safford (8-10, 4-4, 1-0), Tucson Tanque Verde (6-7, 4-3, 1-0), Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (10-4, 7-1, 0-0), Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (9-2, 6-1, 0-0), Sabino (10-6, 5-2, 0-0), Tucson Empire (6-8, 5-4, 0-0), Tucson Andrada Polytechnic (0-12, 0-9, 0-2), and Tucson Catalina (0-13, 0-9, 0-1).
Region results are Thatcher over Andrada Polytechnic (84-17, Dec. 12), Safford over Catalina (64-33, Jan. 9), and Tanque Verde over Andrada Polytechnic (77-22, Nov. 19).
State rankings for the other four 3A South Region members were Empire (5-4 seeding, 2.3188 rating) No. 25, Tanque Verde (4-3 seeding, minus 0.6358) No. 29, Catalina (0-9 seeding, minus 20.3890) No. 43, and Andrada Polytechnic (0-9, minus 22.1502) No. 44.
2A No. 2 Pima Roughriders (8-0 seeding, 16.8335 rating)
Pima (18-2 overall, 8-0 seeding, 2-0 region) is averaging a 67-46 (1,336-914) score per game or a 21-point margin through 20 games.
A 12-member roster has four seniors, seven juniors, and a sophomore. The seniors are Keaton Bryce (2), Keegan Corona (14), Charles Richardson (32), Isaac Thompson (1); juniors Nash Bodily (13), Gilbert Bryce (0), Joel Mattice (23), Stratton McRae (12), Brendan Skiba (15), Tanner Smith (3), and Haydn Wilkins (5); and sophomore Van Papa (10).
The Cliff Thompson-coached Roughriders are competing in the 9-member 2A East Region 2A East Region with the Chandler Lincoln Prep Lightning, the Chandler Prep Titans, the Gilbert Leading Edge Spartans, the Gilbert Classical Spartans, the Gilbert San Tan Charter Roadrunners, the Miami Vandals, and the San Carlos Braves.
2A No. 27 Morenci Wildcats (3-4 seeding, minus 0.4944 rating)
Morenci (7-11, 3-4, 1-0) is averaging 41-52 (744-941) per game, or an 11-point deficit through 18 games.
A 12-member roster has three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, and a freshman. The seniors are Abraham Cortez (24), Derick Lytle (22), and Adrian McCallum (25); juniors Aymen Abdulqader (11), Damian Espino (21), Adrian McCabe (12), and Morgan Petross (35); sophomores Andress Aguilera (31), Brennen Burkhead (32), Alejandro LaPrada (10), Deegan Miller (23); and freshman Marcus Najar (33).
The Ruben Leonard-coached Wildcats are competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, the Willcox Cowboys, along with the Tucson schools Desert Christian Eagles, Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
2A No. 29 Willcox Cowboys (5-4 seeding, minus 0.9621 rating)
Willcox (12-5 overall, 5-4 seeding, 1-1 region) is averaging a 56-50 (960-847) score per game or a 6-point margin in 17 games.
An 11-member roster includes a senior, four juniors, five sophomores, and a freshman. The senior is Ty Shull (2); juniors Bryan Cuevas (4), Jahir Reyes (12), J.D. Whetten (10), and Carder Wyatt (13); sophomores Ryan Burchett (24), Saul Medina (3), Steele Romney (5), Tucker Stamback (11), and Asher Ward (1); and freshman Alex Shull (14).
The Farbod Safavi-coached Wildcats are competing in the 9-member 2A South Region with the Benson Bobcats, the Bisbee Pumas, the Morenci Wildcats, the Tombstone Yellow Jackets, along with the Tucson schools Desert Christian Eagles, Saint Augustine Catholic Wolves, the San Miguel Catholic Vipers, and the Santa Rita Eagles.
2A State Rankings
The initial rankings for the Top 24 of 52 statewide 2A schools at noon on Jan. 13 were Gilbert San Tan Charter (11-0 seeding, 24.9778 rating) No. 1, Pima (8-0, 16.8335) No. 2, Phoenix Country Day School (9-1, 15.9078) No. 3, Phoenix North Valley Christian (8-0, 15.5181) No. 4, Fountain Hills (9-3, 11.3513) No. 5, Phoenix Veritas Prep (8-1, 11.3150) No. 6, Flagstaff Northland Prep (5-1. 11.1366) No. 7, and Phoenix Arizona Lutheran (5-2, 11.0475) No. 8.
Scottsdale Christian (7-3, 10.9662) was No. 9, San Carlos (7-3, 9.8005) No. 9, Gilbert Classical (10-1, 8.7220) No. 10, Glendale Prep (4-3, 8.0583) No. 11, Scottsdale Rancho Solano Prep (8-5, 7.5638) No. 13, Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (7-3, 6.3992) No. 14, Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (6-4, 5.3961), No. 15, and Benson (4-3, 4.7031) No. 16.
Saint Johns (4-3, 4.6224) was No. 17, Eagar Round Valley (5-4, 3.5165) No. 18, Camp Verde (3-5, 2.5122) No. 19, Phoenix Horizon Honors (4-6, 2.3821) No. 20, Phoenix Christian (3-6, 1.6894) No. 21, Chandler Lincoln Prep (5-5, 1.517) No. 22, Tucson Saint Augustine (6-1, 1.3856) No. 23, and Glendale Trivium Prep (6-3, 0.8414) No. 24.
2A East Region Standings
Standings for 2A East Region members as of Jan. 12 were Pima (18-2 overall, 8-0 seeding, 2-0 region), Gilbert San Tan Charter (14-3, 11-0, 2-0), Gilbert Classical (12-2*, 10-1, 2-0), San Carlos (11-4*, 7-3, 1-1), Miami (8-10, 3-5, 1-1), Chandler Lincoln Prep (8-10, 5-5, 1-2), Gilbert Arete Prep (8-11, 3-7, 0-2), Gilbert Leading Edge (2-13*, 2-8, 0-1), and Chandler Prep (0-8, 0-9, 0-2).
Region results are Pima over Chandler Prep (98-16, Jan. 9) and Arete Prep (78-36, Jan. 12); San Tan Charter over Lincoln Prep (94-26, Dec. 2) and San Carlos (89-64, Jan. 12); Gilbert Classical over Miami (82-36, Jan. 9) and Lincoln Prep (65-30); San Carlos over Arete Prep (79-34, Jan. 9); Miami over Chandler Prep (52-51, Jan. 12); and Lincoln Prep over Leading Edge (53-43, Jan. 9).
The state rankings for the other four 2A East Region members were Arete Prep (3-7 seeding, minus 5.2428) No. 34, Miami (3-5, minus 9.7400) No. 39, Leading Edge (2-8, minus 10.5566) No. 44, and Chandler Prep (0-9, minus 13.5648) No. 48.
2A South Region Standings
Standings in the 2A South Region as of Jan. 12 were Bisbee (7-3, 4-1, 1-0), Tucson Desert Christian (6-7, 5-3, 1-0), Benson (8-5, 4-3, 1-0), Morenci (7-11, 3-4, 1-0), Willcox (12-5, 5-4, 1-1), Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (9-3, 6-1, 1-1), Tucson Santa Rita (6-9, 6-6, 1-1), Tucson San Miguel Catholic (3-9, 3-9, 0-2), and Tombstone (1-17, 1-7, 0-2).
Region results are Bisbee over Tombstone (58-44, Dec. 8), Desert Christian over Tombstone (57-25, Jan. 6), Benson over Willcox (51-50, Jan. 6), Morenci over San Miguel (74-38, Jan. 6), Willcox over Saint Augustine (60-36, Jan. 8), Saint Augustine over Santa Rita (58-47, Jan. 6), and Santa Rita over San Miguel (64-32, Jan. 8).
The state rankings for the other eight 2A South Region members were Morenci (3-4, minus 0.4944) No. 27, Bisbee (4-1, minus 0.9063) No. 28, Willcox (5-4, minus 0.9621) No. 29, Desert Christian (5-3, minus 1.3380) No. 30, Santa Rita (6-6, minus 5.3654) No. 35, San Miguel (3-9, minus 16.4852) No. 50, and Tombstone (1-7, minus 19.1389) No. 51.
1A No. 1 Fort Thomas (9-0 seeding, 17.8884 rating)
Fort Thomas (17-4 overall, 9-0 seeding, 2-0 region) is averaging a 72-55 (1,509-1,154) score per game or a 17-point margin through 21 games.
A 14-member roster includes seven seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, and a freshman. The seniors are Damarae Dosela (31), Koby Hunter (23), Leondro Kenton (14), Justin Olivar (25), Michael Olivar (34), Kobe Pearson (20), and Channing Wilson (11); juniors Brian Sign (50), Tayshawn Stanley (45), and Keon Williams (44); sophomores Aaden Anderson (55), Amare Ethelbah (15), and Malachi Johnson (10); and freshman Elijah Titla (35).
The Matthew Dona-coached Apaches are 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 No. 15 Duncan (6-4 seeding, minus 1.5029 rating)
Duncan (8-6 overall, 6-4 seeding, 1-1 region) is averaging a 42-41 (592-853) score per game or a 1-point margin through 14 games.
A 12-member roster includes four seniors, three juniors, and five sophomores. The seniors are Taygen Jensen (22), Pablo Ruiz (10), and Isaiah Sumner (24); juniors Connor Free (12), Dayton Penry (4), and Aaron Zamora (30); and sophomores Mark Bejarano (34), Canyon Carver (42), Jared Kempton (44), Karsen Lacey (14), and Wyatt Lunt (40).
The Brad Roof-coached Wildkats are competing in the 8-member 1A South 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 State Rankings
The initial rankings for the Top 24 of 42 statewide 3A schools at noon on Jan. 13 were Fort Thomas (9-0, 17.8884 rating), No. 1, Phoenix Valley Lutheran (9-0, 12.1416) No. 2, Tucson’s The Gregory School (7-3, 7.4854) No. 3, Bagdad (12-0, 6.8824) No. 4, Joseph City (7-3, 6.5627) No. 5, Phoenix Great Hearts Anthem (6-1, 5.9265) No. 6, Winkelman Hayden (7-2, 5.1812) No. 7, and Williams (7-1, 5.0124) No. 8.
Saint David (7-2, 5.0056) was No. 9, Heber Mogollon (7-3, 3.5764) No. 10, Rock Point (6-3, 1.2544) No. 11, Kearny Ray (8-2, 0.0999) No. 12, Dishchii’bikoh (5-4, minus 0.6044) No. 13, Flagstaff Basis (5-2, minus 0.6853) No. 14, Duncan (6-4, minus 1.5029) No. 15, and Wellton Antelope Union (6-2, minus 1.6141) No. 16.
Sells Baboquivari (6-3, minus 1.7406) was No. 17, Scottsdale Cicero Prep (3-6, minus 2.7310) No. 18, Seligman (6-3, minus 2.9010) No. 19, Teec Nos Pos Red Mesa (6-4, minus 5.9005) No. 20, Peach Springs Music Mountain (6-4, minus 5.9766) No. 21, Nogales Lourdes Catholic (3-3, minus 6.1852) No. 22, North Phoenix Prep (6-5, minus 6.5283) No. 23, and Elfrida Valley Union (4-4, minus 8.1429) No. 24.
1A South Region Standings
Standings for the 1A East Region as of Jan. 12 were Phoenix Valley Lutheran (13-5, 9-0, 3-0), Fort Thomas (17-4 overall, 9-0 seeding, 2-0 region), Winkelman Hayden (9-5, 7-2, 1-1), Duncan (8-6, 6-4, 1-1), Scottsdale Cicero Prep (2-6, 2-6, 1-1), Kearny Ray (11-5, 8-2, 0-2), Superior (4-11, 2-8, 0-2), and San Manuel (1-13, 1-9, 0-1).
Region results are Valley Lutheran over Ray (71-70, Dec. 12), Cicero Prep (56-45, Jan. 6), and Duncan (48-44, Jan. 10); Fort Thomas over Superior (87-34, Dec. 16) and Hayden (85-68, Jan. 6); Hayden over San Manuel (68-35, Dec. 16): Duncan over Superior (52-41, Jan. 6); and Cicero Prep over Ray (72-51, Jan. 9).
The state rankings for the other two 1A South Region members were Superior (2-9, minus 11.8500), No. 31, and San Manuel (1-9, minus 16.5787), No. 33.
Valley Lutheran – 48, Duncan – 44
Valley Lutheran junior Daniel Dadah scored a field goal with 3:29 left in the third quarter to give the visitors a 35-34 lead, one they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.
The host Wildkats came within one twice in the third quarter, 36-37 with 1:12 and 38-39 with 28 seconds left, but not closer. Duncan made 1-6 free throws during the initial 1:41 of the fourth quarter, a 41-43 deficit with 5:38 remaining still offered a chance for a tie or lead change.
However, over the ensuing 5:12, four points were scored, leaving Valley Lutheran with a 43-45 deficit with less than 22 seconds left, as Duncan made 1-2 free throws compared with 3-4 by Valley Lutheran. Senior Taygen Jensen hit 1-2 with eight seconds left, but Maricopa County senior Jonathan Sayegh drilled 2-2 line shots five seconds later to seal the win.
Duncan led 17-6 after the first quarter and 27-25 at halftime, while Valley Lutheran led 41-38 heading into the fourth quarter.
For the evening, Duncan totaled 17 field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 10-15 free throws compared to 16 field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 13-26 free throws by Valley Lutheran.
Senior Isaiah Sumner netted 20 points on 10 field goals plus 0-2 free throws, and Jensen 10 on one field goal plus 8-13 free throws. Sophomore Jared Kempton added four points, seniors Pablo Ruiz and Tanner Giacoletti three apiece, and sophomores Canyon Carver and Karsen Lacey both two each. For Valley Lutheran, Sayegh tallied a game-high 22 points on seven field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 6-8 free throws. Senior Anias Macias and Daniel Dadah both added eight points, senior Ian Parker five, junior David Dadah four, and sophomore Christopher Lovisetto one.
