Buena high school finished 0-26 in 2016. There was only one senior on that team and no player scored more than six points a game. Then came 2017.
Three of the top four scorers were freshmen and then team finished 10-16 and the Colts jumped from a No. 53 ranking to No. 27. The progress was there but the team dropped the last 10 games of the season after starting out 10-6. That would change. The Colts finished 19-4 in 2019 with a No. 5 ranking and the team followed that up with a 20-5 season last year with the first win in the state playoffs since 2012.
Through it all, Lydia Griffith and Jaslyn Booker were the constants, from talented freshmen to dominating seniors. Griffith and Booker signed to play for Todd Holthaus at Pima on Tuesday.
2020 SOUTHERN ARIZONA BASKETBALL ALL-STARS
Booker (6-0) was a Second Team All-Southern Arizona and a First Team 4A-5A selection while averaging 10.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
“Jaslyn is a force in the paint. Her strength and power make her formidable around the basket,” Pima head coach Holthaus said in a release. “Jaslyn’s presence will definitely be a welcome addition to our inside play. She’s a great teammate and will fit in our winning culture.”
Griffith (5-7) was a First Team 4A-5A selection, averaging 11.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
“Lydia is a tremendous 3-point shooter with a high basketball IQ that will help us next year,” Holthaus added. “Her ability to stretch the floor and be in the right spot will give us great depth. Lydia is used to winning and that will help us continue our tradition as well.”
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014, he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017, a 2019 AZ Education News award winner and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. He was the first in Arizona to write about high school beach volleyball and high school girls wrestling. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy is the Southern Arizona voting member of the Ed Doherty Award, recognizing the top football player in Arizona, and he was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Andy was named an Honorary Flowing Wells Caballero in 2019. Contact Andy Morales at amoralesmytucson@yahoo.com
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