Becky Freeman (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.
SALPOINTE GIRLS SOCCER
Head coach: Becky Freeman
2015-16 record: 23-2
Finish: D-II Runner-up
Returning Players
Rachel Kinnison, Senior
Jiaying Brust, Senior
“Excited for the 2016-2017 season! Every year brings new challenges and opportunities, and the staff is excited to see the players compete.”
RINCON/UHS BOYS BASKETBALL
Head coach: Rich Utter
2015-16: 17-15
Finish: D-II First Round
Top Returners:
Estevan Sandoval Sr guard
Joey Cable Sr wing
Max Siath Sr wing
Christian Bahige Sr forward
Benoit Kitubure Sr forward
Players moving up:
Ryan Draper Sr guard
Malik Hunter Sr forward
Jon Mueller Sr forward
Tony Brunenkant Jr guard
Zach Giles Jr center
Japhon Harrison So guard
“This team is capable of getting up and down the floor quickly. We should be able to play 8-10 players interchangeably throughout the season.”
MARANA GIRLS SOCCER
Head coach: Dan Tarquin
2015-16 record: 8-64
Finish: D-II first round
Top returning players/athletes:
Victoria Gutierrez DE 12,
Hannah Green MF 12,
Tanna McLeod GK 12
Top new players:
Rebecca Quast DE 9
“After having the highest strength of schedule in the division and making the state tournament in 2016 was a huge source of pride for our program, our players and our staff. Our club team got back from San Diego, defending our 2015 championship for the La Jolla Classic after going undefeated taking the U19 2016 championship. This followed being the only Tucson (NW) team to be invited to compete in the inaugural APL (Arizona Premier League) offering the highest level of competition in the state.
Losing only two starters in 2016 and having a strong summer of participation, we look to be very deep for the upcoming season. All three of our returning seniors are not only looking at 4-year colleges and universities, but also continuing as student athletes.”
SUNNYSIDE GIRLS SOCCER
Head coach: Camilo Macias
2015-16 record
Finish:
Returning players:
Perla Blanco (Senior)
Nataly Lopez (Senior)
Felicity Villegas (Senior)
Seti Valencia (Soph)
Anay Garcia (Soph)
“This year we added a new assistant coach to our program which we are very excited about. Of all of my four years at Sunnyside Girls Soccer, this will probably be our strongest group of players. We are motivated and have been working on the basics to improve on our performance during our games. We have talented individuals and hope we can get their names out for colleges to see.”
FOLLOW @ANDYMORALES8 ON TWITTER!
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
Recommended for you
