Raymundo Frasquillo Photo/Gila Herald: Abraham Cortez (0) passes the ball to a teammate. The Morenci freshman contributed six points against Tombstone, an 82-24 region win on Jan. 12. Morenci heads to No. 26 Willcox on Jan. 16 and hosts No. 37 Santa Rita on Jan. 19, as No. 5.
Morenci drops two to No. 6 after Pima loss
By Raymundo Frasquillo
MORENCI – The Tuscon Santa Rita Eagles enter Wildcat Memorial Gymnasium on Friday, Jan. 19. Three days prior, the Willcox Cowboys host Morenci on Tuesday, Jan. 16, both for region contests.
In other region pairings this week (Jan. 15-20), Santa Rita hosts Benson and Tombstone hosts Bisbee on Jan. 16; Benson hosts Bisbee and Pima hosts Tombstone on Jan. 19.
The non-region pairings have Pima visiting Lakeside Blue Ridge on Wednesday, Jan. 17; and Tombstone hosting Duncan on Saturday, Jan. 20.
Tucson Desert Christian defeated Benson 53-39 as part of the 8-game 20th Martin Luther King Day Classic at the McHale Center in Tucson and Pima defeated Safford 61-46 on Jan. 15.
No. 27 Willcox Cowboys (7-13 overall)
The Paul McInnes-coached Willcox Cowboys (7-13 overall, 5-6 seeding, 2-4 East Region for sixth of eight) are averaging a 49-54 (974-1,070) score per game or a 5-point deficit.
Willcox has seeding wins over Globe (56-45, Nov. 17), Patagonia (68-39, Dec. 4), Duncan (73-50, Dec. 18), Tombstone (58-50, Dec. 19), and Santa Rita (62-32, Jan. 11). The losses are to San Carlos (54-57, Nov. 28), Pima (31-65, Dec. 15), Morenci (40-52, Dec. 6), Phoenix Madison Highland Prep (36-68, Dec. 13), Bisbee (53-69, Jan. 2), and Benson (43-64, Jan. 8).
In addition, the Cowboys went a combined 2-7 during two 3-day tourneys attended. They went 1-3 during the Amphitheater tourney on Nov. 20-22 and 1-4 during the Show Low tourney on Jan. 4-6. The wins were over Tucson Catalina (61-24, Nov. 20) and Peach Springs Music Mountain (71-36, Jan. 5) while losses were to Joseph City (37-45, Nov. 20), Winkelman Hayden (31-49, Nov. 21), Tucson Saint Augustine (41-50, Nov. 22), Show Low (32-71, Jan. 4), Lakeside Blue Ridge (4\9-71, Jan. 4), Thatcher (41-68, Jan. 5), and Chandler Seton Catholic (37-65, Jan. 6).
The Cowboys list seniors Alec Fuentes (13), Jacob Kaufman (5), Nico Ramirez (21), and Lane Whetten (14), juniors Avery Edington (11), Caden Hooper (20), Jovani Rodriguez (10), Gabe Salas (12), Alan Solis (1) and Tj Ward (3); sophomores Ty Schull (2); and freshmen Emiliano Chavez (4) and J.D. Whetten (15) on their roster.
No. 37 Santa Rita Eagles (0-9)
The Jordan Hale-coached Santa Rita Eagles (0-9 overall, 0-9 seeding, 0-5 East Region for eighth of eight) are averaging a 33-69 (293-624) score per game or a 36-point deficit.
Santa Rita has seeding losses to Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic (36-65, Nov. 28), Gilbert San Tan Charter (21-113, Nov. 30), Avondale Saint John Paul II Catholic (44-68, Dec. 4), Benson (19-55, Dec. 7), Eloy Santa Cruz (45-63, Dec. 14), Bisbee (35-59, Jan. 5), Pima (9-60, Jan. 8), and Willcox (32-62, Jan. 11).
An 11-member roster has seniors Jonathan Duran (23), Jaden Gulliver (4), Alonso Doxten Martinez (12), Fabian Noperi Jr. (13), and Traiden Taylor (10); juniors David Gonzales (15), James Green (3), Vernon Johnson (11), and Michael Ross (21); and sophomores Hery Luna Favela (5) and David Waldron (14).
No. 6 Morenci Wildcats (18-3)
The Ruben Leonard-coached Morenci Wildcats (18-3 overall, 10-1 seeding, 6-1 East Region for second of eight) are averaging a 66-44 (1,383-917) score per game or a 22-point margin through 21 games.
Morenci has seeding wins over San Carlos (75-42, Nov. 20), Saint David (74-28, Nov. 27), Elfrida Valley Union (96-21, Dec. 4), Willcox (52-40, Dec. 6), Tucson Santa Rita (79-52, Dec. 12), Benson (54-42, Dec. 18), Round Valley (67-55, Jan. 2), Tombstone (85-43, Jan. 5), Bisbee (77-63, Jan. 8), and Tombstone (82-24, Jan. 12). The loss was to Pima (41-52, Jan. 11).
Additionally, the Wildcats posted a combined 8-2 record in two 3-day tourneys. They went 6-1 during the Eagar Round Valley tourney on Dec. 7-9 and 2-1 during the EAC tourney on Dec. 27-29. The wins were over Saint Johns (56-35, Dec. 7), Heber Mogollon (68-43, Dec. 7), Whiteriver Alchesay (52-48, Dec. 8), Fort Thomas (53-42, Dec. 9), Lakeside Blue Ridge (65-40, Dec. 9), Round Valley (71-50, Dec. 9). The losses were to Round Valley (60-68, Dec. 8) and Thatcher (52-58, Dec. 29).
Morenci has made 47 (149-318) percent of its free throws compared to 55 (131-237) by the combined opponents.
Individually, sophomore Adrian McCallum (25) has made 65 (22-34) percent of his free throws, junior Christopher Lopez (23) 61 (22-36), sophomore Derick Lytle (3) 60 (24-40), senior Tristen Sanchez (22) 55 (61-111), freshmen Aymen Abdulqader (2) 50 (9-18), junior Noah Chavez (10) 36 (5-14), senior Joseph Seballos (5) 32 (7-22), junior Yedidia Laputa Kanyinda (13) 31 (12-39), and sophomore Abraham Cortez (0) 25 (1-4). Freshman Adrian McCabe (12) has not shot free throws.
2A East Region Standings
The 2A East Region standings after 21 games played through Jan. 15, are Pima (13-5 overall, 7-2 seeding, 6-0 region) first, Morenci (18-3, 10-1, 6-1) second, Bisbee (11-7, 7-3, 4-2) third, Benson (8-13, 5-6, 3-3) fourth, Willcox (7-13, 5-6, 2-4) sixth, Tombstone (5-12, 3-8, 0-6) seventh, and Tucson Santa Rita (0-9, 0-9, 0-5) eighth.
Pima (6-0) has region wins over Willcox (65-31, Dec. 1), Tombstone (71-26, Dec. 12), Bisbee (55-28, Dec. 15), Santa Rita (60-9, Jan. 8), Benson (59-48, Jan. 10), and Morenci (52-41, Jan. 11). Initially ranked No. 10, the No. 3 Roughriders are averaging a 54-41 (970-731) score per game or a 13-point margin through 18 games.
Morenci (6-1) has region wins over Willcox (52-40, Dec. 6), Santa Rita (79-52, Dec. 12), Benson (54-42, Dec. 18), Tombstone (87-43, Jan. 5), Bisbee (78-63, Jan. 8), and Tombstone (82-24, Jan. 12). Debuting at No. 4, the No. 5 Wildcats are averaging a 66-44 (1,383-917) score per game or a 22-point margin through 21 games.
Bisbee (4-2) has region wins over Tombstone (76-43, Dec. 7), Benson (56-55, Dec. 12), Willcox (69-52, Jan. 2), and Santa Rita (59-35, Jan. 5). Ranked No. 13 and staying there, the Pumas are averaging a 55-51 (998-918) score per game or a 4-point margin through 18 games.
Benson (3-3) has region wins over Santa Rita (55-19, Dec. 7), Willcox (64-43, Jan. 8), and Tombstone (48-43, Jan. 11). At No. 19 to start and remaining in the same slot, the Bobcats are averaging a 49-38 (1,033-806) score per game or an 11-point margin through 21 games.
Willcox (2-4) has region wins over Tombstone (58-50, Dec. 19) and Santa Rita (62-32, Jan. 11). Beginning at No. 29, the No. 26 Cowboys are averaging a 49-54 (974-1,070) score per game or a 5-point deficit through 20 games.
Tombstone (0-6) is averaging a 47-61 (791-1,044) score per game or a 14-point deficit through 17 games and Santa Rita (0-5) a 33-69 (293-624) score per game or a 36-point deficit through nine games. The Yellow Jackets dropped from No. 31 to No. 32 while the Eagles went up from No. 38 to No. 37.
2A State Rankings
The Top 24 2A teams coming out of the weekend, with no one dropping out, were Phoenix Arizona Lutheran No. 1 (9-0 seeding, 21.4280 rating), Gilbert San Tan Charter No. 2 (12-1, 19.1871), Scottsdale Rancho Salano Prep No. 3 (9-3, 13.4767), Gilbert Leading Edge No. 4 (11-2, 13.3256), Morenci No. 5 (10-1, 12.4334), Pima No. 6 (7-2, 12.4334), Phoenix Horizon Honors No. 7 (7-2, 10.1991), Phoenix Christian No. 8 (5-1, 9.9216), Laveen Heritage No. 9 (8-3, 9.8824), and Surprise Highland Prep No. 10 (5-2, 8.5871).
Phoenix Veritas Prep was No. 11 (6-4, 8.8163), Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated No. 12 (7-2, 8.1403), Bisbee No. 13 (7-3, 7.3100), Keams Canyon Hopi was No. 14 (10-1, 5.9330), Eagar Round Valley No. 15 (9-3, 4.4751), Gilbert Arete Prep No. 16 (6-5, 4.1358), Tucson Saint Augustine Catholic No. 17 (8-2, 3.3402), Glendale Prep No. 18 (5-3, 2.9127), Benson No. 19 (5-6, 2.3357), and Kingman Academy No. 20 (5-4, 1.1783).
San Carlos was No. 21 (6-5, 0.9932), Gilbert Classical No. 22 (6-6, 0.7976), Chandler Prep No. 23 (6-5, 0.0457), and Phoenix Country Day School No. 24 (3-3, minus 1.0971).
The initial 2A rankings on Jan. 9 were Arizona Lutheran No. 1 (8-0 seeding, 21.1434 rating), San Tan Charter No. 2 (11-1, 19.7417), Rancho Salano Prep No. 3 (9-2, 15.8746), Morenci No. 4 (9-0, 15.0549), Gilbert Leading Edge No. 5 (9-2, 13.1242), Highland Prep No. 6 (5-2, 10.0871), Laveen Heritage No. 7 (8-3, 9.9574), Horizon Honors No. 8 (5-2, 9.1871), Veritas Prep No. 9 (6-4, 8.8163), and Pima No. 10 (4-2, 8.4111).
Hopi was No. 11 (10-0, 8.2281), Mohave Accelerated No. 12 (7-2, 7.5426), Bisbee No. 13 (6-3, 6.8199), Phoenix Christian No. 14 (3-1, 5.4890), Arete Prep No. 15 (6-4, 5.2680), Glendale Prep No. 16 (4-2, 4.4106), Round Valley No. 17 (8-3, 4.2919), Saint Augustine No. 18 (7-2, 3.9683), Benson No. 19 (4-4, 2.9936), and Kingman Academy No. 20 (4-4, 1.7432).
Chandler Prep was No. 21 (5-4, 1.4387), Gilbert Classical No. 22 (6-6, 1.0302), Phoenix Country Day School No. 23 (3-2, 0.9232), and San Carlos No. 24 (6-5, 0.4118).
Morenci – 82, Tombstone – 24 (Jan. 12)
Although outscoring their hosts 7-6 during the final eight minutes, Tombstone was unable to neutralize the Wildcats’ defensive efforts or overcome the previous three-quarters deficit. The Yellow Jackets could not score in double figures during any of the quarters while Morenci did so in all four. Morenci led 76-17 heading into the fourth quarter, 47-10 at halftime, and 22-6 following the first quarter.
Having controlled the opening tip, the Wildcats scored 13 seconds into the game, led 15-0 before the visiting Yellow Jackets would score, and 37-8 before double-digit scoring was reached by the boys from “the town too tough to die.” It was with 2:45 left in the first half. Morenci’s reserves logged considerable court time and outscored the starting five 45-37.
For the evening, Morenci connected on 24 field goals (12 3-pointers) plus 6-8 free throws compared to nine field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 4-10 free throws by Tombstone.
Chavez totaled 16 points on eight field goals, Seballos 15 on six field goals (three 3-pointers), McCabe 12 on four 3-pointers, and Abdulqader 11 on four field goals (three 3-pointers). Lopez and McCallum added eight points apiece, Cortez six, Sanchez three, Lytle two, and Kanyinda one.
Tombstone junior Hunter Griesemer (21) had nine points, freshman Talon Rodriguez (1) six, senior Alec De la Pena (00), and juniors Josh Givens (22) and Sebastian Jones (24) three apiece.
During the Jan. 5 pairing, Morenci connected on 37 field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 12-23 free throws compared to 17 field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 6-17 free throws by Tombstone for an 85-43 win.
Pima – 52, Morenci – 41 (Jan. 11)
Although Morenci outscored its host 22-19 during the fourth quarter, the battle of unbeaten region members did not end well for the visiting Wildcats. It was the second quarter before double-digit scoring was attained, four Wildcats were benched with five fouls, 11 free throws were missed and the final score was an 11-point difference. Pima led 15-6 after the first quarter, 24-15 at halftime, and 33-19 heading into the fourth quarter.
For the game, Morenci made 11 field goals (three 3-pointers) plus 16-27 free throws versus 18 field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 14-25 free throws by Pima.
Sanchez tallied 15 points on four field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 5-8 free throws, Lopez added eight points, McCallum seven, Lytle five, Seballos four, and Chavez two.
For Pima, sophomore Keegan Corona had a team and game-high 25 points on eight field goals (two 3-pointers) plus 7-9 free throws. Junior Preston Russell added nine points, junior Clark Ashby eight, senior Sam Ray four, senior Riley Alder and junior Rhett Hughes two apiece, and both sophomores Charlie Richardson and Isaac Thompson one each.
Morenci – 77, Bisbee – 63 (Jan. 8)
The Wildcats broke a 38-38 halftime deadlock with a 25-5 third-quarter outing as six contributed points. Sanchez tossed in nine, both Chavez and Seballos five each, and Kanyinda, Lytle, and McCallum two apiece.
Morenci led by as much as 25, 77-52, with 3:10 remaining, but Bisbee went on an 11-0 run in the final 2:57 to close out the scoring.
In all, Morenci totaled 27 field goals (10 3-pointers) plus 13-19 free throws compared to 26 field goals (six 3-pointers) plus 5-7 free throws by Bisbee.
Sanchez netted a team and game-high 26 points on nine field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 7-7 free throws and Chavez 23 on eight field goals (seven 3-pointers). Kanyinda added nine points, McCallum six, Seballos five, and Lopez and Lytle had four each.
For Bisbee, junior Sebastian Lopez (4) had 20 points on eight field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 3-4 free throws, senior Jose Mendez (3) 18 on seven field goals (four 3-pointers) plus 1-2 free throws, and senior Anthony Molina (2) 16 on seven field goals (one 3-pointer) plus 1-1 free throws. Senior Julian Fuentes Hernandez (5) added six points and senior Adolfo Luna (1) two.
