Santino Duarte is coming off a torn ACL. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
We will be previewing the winter sport season over the next couple of weeks or so and the responses you see below come directly from the coaches who returned a questionnaire. As you will see, the winter season is comprised of soccer, wrestling and basketball. All three sports deserve equal attention.
We are proud that our site is the only one in Southern Arizona that covered (and is still covering) cross country, swim and dive, small-school soccer, golf, volleyball and football during the fall season. We’ve been covering both boys and girls in programs from the 6A Conference to the 1A Conference.
CIENEGA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Deia Mack-Turner
2015-16 record: 20-3
Finish: D-II Second Round
Top returners:
NaKeva Mack G/F
Lauren Green F/C
Senida Sotelo PG/SG
Wednesday Lewis PG
“Nalin Martinez is out for season due to a torn ACL. Huge loss but we still have the same team from last year.”
PUEBLO GIRLS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Ismael Galindo
2015-16 record: 25-5
Finish: D-III Quarterfinals
Top returners:
SR Araceli Loya- 865 pts, 224 asst, 597 reb, 305 stls (57 wins)
JR Alicia Reyes- 864 pts, 113 asst, 222 reb, 208 stls (47 wins)
State Record holder for most 3-pointers in a game (17) also tied for National record
JR Ilyssa Galindo- 728pts, 345asst, 384reb, 262stls (47 wins)
Southern Arizona Division 3 Player of the Year
All three should join the 1,000 point club this season.
Top new players:
Freshman Sensations: Both add some height to our team.
Mariah Clark
Jasmine Belt
“The Warriors are looking to bring that State Championship trophy to Pueblo High School.”
SABINO GIRLS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Josh Mott
2015-16 record: 11-11
Top returning players:
Holly Duran
Cayla Samson
Cassie Brown
Lanae Finley
IMMACULATE HEART BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL
Boys 2015-16: 9-14
Girls 2015-16: 13-12
Boys:
Connor Pickett (2nd team all-conference last year) returns for his senior year. He will be the solid part of the team this year.
Gabe Bussari is a junior and had some awesome games last year.
A possible newcomer would be Peter Ethridge, a freshman.
Girls
Meredith Ethridge is a senior that has played every year and was captain the last two years. Look for her to hold the team up.
Emily Haynes, a sophomore this year was the leading scorer last year. Quick and gets many steals.
The team returns three starters and has many returners.
SUNNYSIDE BOYS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Jimmy Rosthenhausler
2015-16 record: 23-6
Finish: D-II Quarterfinals
Returners:
5’9″ point guard Mikey Silva.
6’7″ center Santino Duarte is coming off a torn ACL and did not play last year.
New players:
6’8″ junior Nikc Jackson
6’4″ senior Dwayne Eason
5’10” sophomore Adrian Canastillo
“If we can mesh as a team we could have a good season. We have some good sophomores and juniors playing their first varsity season that could help us. If Santino Duarte and Nikc Jackson can shore up our defense, and Mikey Silva leads us as a team, we should be very competitive.”
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Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. 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. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com
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