Thatcher hosts Andrada Polytechnic on Friday
By Raymundo Frasquillo
DUNCAN – The 1A South Region Duncan Wildkats (3-1 seeding) hosts the 1A South Region Fort Thomas Apaches (4-0) on Tuesday, Dec. 9 and 1A North Region Dishchii’bikoh (2-2) on Thursday, Dec. 11. The two non-region contests have 7 p.m. tip-offs.
The 3A South Region Safford Bulldogs (1-2) visit 2A South Region Willcox (1-2) on Dec. 9 while the Thatcher Eagles (3-0) visit the 3A East Region Show Low Cougars (2-1) on Wednesday, Dec. 10 and host The Tucson Andrada Polytechnic Mavericks on Friday, Dec. 12. The Bulldogs also will be participating in the 11-team, 3-day Flagstaff tourney on Dec. 11-13.
PAIRINGS THIS WEEK (Dec. 8-13):
This week (Dec. 8-13) for the 1A East Region has Duncan (3-1) hosting Fort Thomas (4-0), Hayden (2-0) visiting Superior (1-3), Valley Lutheran (2-0) hosting Cicero Prep (1-1), and San Manuel (0-4) visiting 1A South Region Sells Baboquivari (2-2) on Dec. 9; Ray (3-0) hosting 1A South Region San Simon (1-2) and Superior visiting San Manuel on Dec. 10; Duncan (2-1) hosting 1A North Region Dishchii’bikoh (2-2), Hayden visiting 1A South Region Patagonia (0-1), Valley Lutheran visiting 2A West Region Bullhead City Mohave Accelerated (1-2), and San Manuel hosting the 1A South Region Arizona Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (0-4) on Dec. 11; Ray visiting Valley Lutheran on Dec. 12; Ray hosting 1A Central Region Mayer (0-4) on Dec. 13; Fort Thomas participating in the 15-team, 3-day Eagar Round Valley tourney while San Manuel will be participating in the 8-team, 3-day tourney Benson tourney on Dec. 11-13; and both Superior and San Manuel will be participating in the 6-team, 2-day Globe tourney on Dec. 12-13.
In the 3A South Region members, Palo Verde Magnet (3-1) visits 3A Central Region Apache Junction (0-3), Tanque Verde (2-2) hosts 3A Metro Region San Tan Valley San Tan Foothills (2-2), Safford (1-2) visits 2A South Region Willcox (1-2), and Catalina (0-4) visits 3A Central Region Globe (2-4) on Dec. 9; Thatcher visits 3A East Region Show Low (2-1), Sabino (2-0) visits 2A Metro Region Gilbert Christian (1-2), and Andrada Polytechnic visits Tombstone (0-2) on Dec. 10; Tanque Verde (2-2) hosts 4A Gila Region Rio Rico (0-5) and Empire (2-2) visits 3A Central Region Coolidge (2-0) on Dec. 11; Pusch Ridge (3-0) visits 3A Metro Region Queen Creek American Leadership – Ironwood (3-1), Thatcher hosts Andrada Polytechnic (0-4), Palo Verde Magnet visits 3A Metro Region Phoenix Bourgade Catholic (3-0), and Sabino (2-0) visits 3A Central Region Coolidge on Dec.12; and Safford will be participating in the 11-team, 3-day Flagstaff tourney on Dec. 11-13.
Results of Dec. 8 pairings were 3A Central Region Chandler Seton Catholic (5-0) over Pusch Ridge (4-1) 64-54, Thatcher (3-0) over 2A South Region Benson (2-2) 58-35, Tanque Verde (3-2) over 2A South Region San Miguel Catholic (2-1) 82-22, Sabino (3-0) over 4A Kino Region Sahuarita Walden Grove (4-1) 73-65, and 2A South Region Saint Augustine Catholic (3-0) over Andrada Polytechnic (0-5) 75-54.
DUNCAN Wildkats (2-2 seeding)
The Brandon Lunt-coached Wildkats (3-2 overall, 3-1 seeding, 0-0 1A East Region) has played four seeding games, averaging a 44-34 (177-135) score per game or a 10-point margin. The wins are over San Manuel (44-25, Nov. 25), the Arizona Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (58-23, Dec. 2), Superior (47-41, Dec. 5) while the loss is to Saint David (28-46, Dec. 3).
Duncan opened the season in Tucson during the 3-day Boyd Baker tourney, ending 2-2. The wins were over Nogales Lourdes Catholic (49-20, Nov. 20) and (Patagonia (50-38, Nov. 22) while the losses were to Joseph City (44-70, Nov. 20) and Bisbee (33-40, Nov. 21).
The Wildkats are competing in the 8-member 1A East 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.
In December, the Wildkats host Superior (Dec. 5), Fort Thomas (Dec. 9), 1A North Region Dishchii’bikoh (Dec. 11), and 1A South Region San Simon (Dec. 16).
Duncan lists a 12-member team of four seniors, three juniors, and five sophomores. The roster includes seniors Tanner Giacoletti (32), Taygan Jensen (22), Pablo Ruiz (10), and Isaiah Sumner (24); juniors Connor Free (12), and Dayton Penry (4); and sophomores Mark Bejarano (34), Canyon Carver (42), Jared Kempton (44), Karsen Lacey (14), and Wyatt Lunt (40).
Giacoletti, Jensen, Ruiz, and Sumner are 3-year lettermen while Free, Carver, Kempton, and Lunt have earned one apiece.
Last season, the No. 25 Wildkats (9-11 seeding, minus 11.8449 rating) finished 9-15 overall and 2-5 in the 1A East Region for sixth of eight.
Sumner received East Region Honorable Mention last season and Tucson Southeast Region Second Team in 2024.
Class of 2025 member Isaiah Harris received East Region Honorable Mention last season.
1A FORT THOMAS Apaches (4-0)
The Matthew Dona-coached Apaches (1A East Region) have played four seeding games thus far, averaging a 74-50 (295-199) score per game or a 24-point margin. The wins are over Morenci (69-58, Nov. 25), 1A North Region Dishchii’bikoh (81-41, Dec. 2), 2A East Region San Carlos (72-58, Dec. 3), and 1A South Region Sells Baboquivari (73-42, Dec. 5).
Fort Thomas is 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.
In December, the Apaches visit Duncan (Dec. 9), will participate in the 11-team, 3-day Eagar Round Valley tourney (Dec. 11-12), host Superior (Dec. 16), and will participate in the 12-tean, 3-day 62nd Eastern Arizona Holiday Tourney (Dec. 18-20).
Fort Thomas has a 14-member roster of seven seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, and a freshman. The roster includes seniors
Damare 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).
Dosela, Justin Olivar, Michael Olivar, and Wilson each have three varsity seasons under their belts; Hunter two, and Sign, Anderson, Ethelbah, and Johnson one apiece.
Michael Olivar was selected to the 1A All-Conference (All-State) First Team, Wilson Second Team, and Dosela Honorable Mention.
At the Region level, Olivar was voted East Region Offensive Player-of-the-Year, Dosela and Wilson on the First Team, Justin Olivar Second Team, and Hunter Honorable Mention.
Dosela and Wilson were on the 2024 All-Conference Second Team, and Justin Olivar Honorable Mention. Justin Olivar and Wilson were tabbed Copper Region First Team, Michael OlivarSecond Team, Dosela Offensive Player-of-the-Year, and Dona Region Coach-of-the-Year.
Class of 2025 members Allen Gilbert was named to the Region Second Tean, and both Justin Kitcheyan and Runyon Kinney received Honorable Mention.
Last season, the No. 2 Apaches (22-12 overall, 15-3 seeding, 6.1183 rating, 6-1 East Region for second of eight) finished as a 1A state semifinalist, being edged 51-54 by No. 6 Tucson’s The Gregory School.
The Apaches are 129-87 overall, 100-45 seeding, 50-10 in the region, 65-24 at home, 2-0 in the Play-in Round, and 11-6 in the state meet during eight seasons (2018-25) under Dona.
1A East Region Standings
Region standings as of Dec. 6 were Kearny Ray (3-0 seeding, 0-0 region), Fort Thomas (4-0, 0-0), Winkelman Hayden (2-0, 0-0), Phoenix Valley Lutheran (2-0, 0-0), Duncan (3-1, 0-0), Scottsdale Cicero Prep (1-1, 0-0), Superior (1-3, 0-0), and San Manuel (0-4, 0-0).
3A THATCHER Eagles (3-0)
The Kyle Hull-coached Eagles (3-0 seeding, 0-0 3A South Region) has played three seeding games, averaging a 55-44 (165-133) score per game or an 11-point margin. The wins are over 3A Metro Region Payson (44-42 OT, Dec. 2), 3A East Region Lakeside Blue Ridge (63-56, Dec. 4), and 2A South Region Benson (58-35, Dec. 8).
Thatcher is competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Safford Bulldogs and Tucson schools, the Andrada Polytechnic Mavericks, the Catalina Trojans, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.
In December, the Eagles visit 3A East Region Show Low (Dec. 10), host Andrada Polytechnic (Dec. 12) and 3A Central Region Coolidge (Dec. 16), and will participate in the 62nd Eastern Arizona Holiday Tourney (Dec. 18-20).
Thatcher lists a 10-member team of six seniors and four juniors. The roster includes seniors Braden Bryce (13), Chad Johnson (30), Brigham Palmer (3), Isaac Palmer (33), Dylan Riney (31), and Bronson Stringfellow (24); and juniors Brant Duncan (2), Jay Carter (12), Wade Hull (11), and Hudson Lopeman (1).
Bryce, Johnson, Isaac Palmer, Riney, and Stringfellow each have two varsity seasons to their credit while Carter, Duncan, Hull, and Lopeman one apiece.
Last season, the No. 16 Eagles (11-6 seeding, 6.9547 rating) finished 18-12 overall and 6-2 in the 3A South Region for third of nine.
Isaac Palmer was tabbed All-Region First Team, Johnson Second Team, and Carter, Hull, and Stringfellow received Honorable Mention.
Class of 2025 member Wyatt Nicholas was selected to the All-Region Second Team last season.
3A SAFFORD Bulldogs (1-2)
The Danny Smith-coached Bulldogs (1-2 seeding, 0-0 3A South Region) has played three seeding games, averaging a 61-74 (183-221) score per game or a 13-point deficit. The win is over 3A Central Region Globe (77-74, Dec. 1) while the losses are to 4A Gila Region Douglas (41-71, Nov. 19) and 3A Metro Region Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin (65-76, Dec. 4).
Safford is competing in the 9-member 3A South Region with the Thatcher Eagles and Tucson schools, the Andrada Polytechnic Mavericks, the Catalina Trojans, the Empire Ravens, the Palo Verde Magnet Titans, the Pusch Ridge Christian Lions, the Sabino Sabercats, and the Tanque Verde Hawks.
In December, the Bulldogs visit Willcox (Dec. 9), will participate in the Flagstaff tourney (Dec. 11-13), host 2A East Region Pima (Dec. 16), and will participate in the 62nd Eastern Arizona Holiday Tourney (Dec. 18-20).
Safford lists a 12-member team of four seniors, four juniors, and four sophomores. The roster includes seniors 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).
Lackner has three varsity seasons under his belt while Felix, Gaines, Hatch, Jacobson, and Kenehan one apiece.
Last season, the No. 35 Bulldogs (5-13 seeding, minus 6.2964 rating) finished 8-20 overall and 2-6 in the #A South Region for seventh of nine.
Gaines received All-Region Honorable Mention as did Class of 2025 member Nick Yentsch.
3A South Region Standings
The region standings as of Dec. 8 were Tucson Pusch Ridge Christian (4-1 seeding, 0-0 region), Thatcher (3-0, 0-0), Tucson Palo Verde Magnet (3-1, 0-0), Tucson Tanque Vere (3-2, 0-0), Safford (1-2, 0-0), Tucson Sabino (3-0, 0-0), Tucson Empire (2-2, 0-0), Tucson Catalina (0-4, 0-0), and Tucson Andrada Poltechnic (0-5, 0-0).
Duncan – 48, Superior – 41 (Dec. 5)
The visiting Panthers jumped out to a 12-9 opening quarter edge and led 23-20 at halftime, but the Wildkats bounced back with an 8-5 third quarter effort to tie 28-28 heading into the final quarter. A 20-13 fourth quarter outing allowed the Duncan to post a home win.
Duncan had two inside players contribute the initial quarter scoring, 6-3 senior Isaiah Sumner withseven points and 6-4 sophomore Jared Kempton two.
Thatcher – 44, Payson – 42 OT (Dec. 2)
Senior Chad Johnson scored with four seconds remaining to give the Eagles a 9-7 extra period advantage. Time ran out before the visitors could score and it allowed a home win over Payson on Dec. 2.
Five points were contributed by senior Isaac Palmer on 1-2 free throws (36-35) with 3:04, a field goal (38-35) with 2:54, and a field goal (40-39) with 1:01 left in overtime, and two by junior Bryden Bryce (42-41) with 38 seconds left. Payson senior Omar Fierro-Nava tied it at 42-42 on 1-2 free throws with 21 seconds left. The other six points were contributed by senior Marco Guereque (37-38) with 2:13, Fierro-Nava (39-38) with 1:25, and sophomore Dwayne Bartlett (41-40) with 49 seconds left.
Palmer made 2-2 free throws with 33 seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 35-35, the Eagle defense prevented further scoring, and an extra period ensued.
The low scoring game had Thatcher leading 19-12 at halftime and 28-26 heading into the fourth quarter.
