Bree Olson (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.
PALO VERDE BOYS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Marsharne Flannigan
2015-16 record: 15-11
Top returners:
Soloman Fernander 6’6 F/G Jr
Taivionn Sandavol 5’10 G Jr
Devonte Bates 5’7 G Jr
Darius Rollins 6’5 F So
Top new player:
Jeffery Thomas 5’10 G So
“We graduated eight seniors last year, so I am excited to see how the young guys respond. I am also looking forward to seeing who is going to take over as the leader of the team on and off the court.”
SAN MANUEL WRESTLING
Head coach: Manny Yubeta
2015-16 finish: 24th
Top returners
Franky Renteria, 160, 36-5, 1st in region, 2nd at state, senior
Colbey Stratton, 182, 27-14, senior
Julian Rodriguez, 120, 15-13, sophomore
Daniel Garcia, sophomore
Yesenia Arciniega, junior
Top newcomers:
Kiah Blank, 10
Pablo Rodriguez, 12
Aaron Sims, 12
Victor Herrera, 10
Ezra Miller, 11
Ruben Hernandez, 10
Max Fischer, 11
Sean Strand, 10
David Butler, 10
Vince Butler, 9
Jesus Gonzalez, 10
Michael Mendibles, 11
Francisco Gonzalez, 10
“I was the head coach here from 1987-2012 and then I retired in that year. I have returned to teaching and coaching and hope to rebuild the program to its glory years.” 515 career wins.
MOUNTAIN VIEW WRESTLING
Head coach: PJ Ponce
2015-16 finish: 3rd place
Top returners:
Jr. – Javier Ortiz – 2x State placer – 2016 State Runner up at 106 lbs.
Jr. – Andrew Cota – 3rd in State in 2016 at 113 lbs.
Soph. – Marcus Castillo – USA Wrestling Folkstyle & Greco All-American in 2016. 3rd in State in 2016 at 126 lbs.
Soph. – Daivon Lee – 2016 state qualifier at 145 lbs.
Sr. – Frankie Lee – 2016 State Runner Up at 152 lbs.
Sr. – Colin Hall – 2016 State Qualifier at 160 lbs.
Sr. – Nick Garcia – 2016 State Qualifier at 170 lbs.
Sr. – Louis Aguilar – 2016 State Qualifier at 195 lbs.
Top New Wrestlers:
Soph. – Gabe Castillo – 2016 state qualifier at 106 lbs.
Sr. – Jace Cuhna – 2X State Placer – 4th in state in Div. I in 2016
Sr. Devin Easby
“We are returning a strong team from our third-place finish at state last season and we also
have some new additions that will make a big impact this season. The Mt. Lions have won three consecutive section titles and have placed in the top three in state the past three seasons. We had a strong off season competing in tournaments in Arizona., California and New Mexico. Mt. Lion, Marcus Castillo earned All-American honors this past year in Folkstyle and Greco-Roman at 126lbs.”
PUSCH RIDGE GIRLS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Lonnie Tvrdy
2015-16 record: 22-9
Finish: D-IV second round
Top returners:
Bree Olson, senior (Leading scorer)
Allison Bergendorff, senior
Rachel Hess, junior
Laura Randall, junior
Ava Addleman, sophomore
Cherish Gotcher, sophomore
Kacy Haynes, junior.
“We are expecting good things from Britta Sandelin a sophomore as well. A newcomer to the varsity will be Angel Addleman a freshman. That young lady is going to be a very good point guard to watch. Bree Olson is taking a great leadership role with this team and we feel we will have a strong team this year.”
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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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