The Pima Community College men’s basketball team has had one of its best seasons in program history and much of the success is due to sophomore standouts Deion James (Empire) and Emilio Acedo (Salpointe).
The Arizona Community College Athletic conference took notice and added James and Acedo to the All-ACCAC conference and All-Region, Division II teams released on Thursday, Mar. 2.
James was named ACCAC Co-Player of the Year along with Cochise College’s Dallas Polk-Hilliard. James was also selected first team All-ACCAC and first team All-Region, Division II. James produced 17 double-doubles in points and rebounds during the regular season and averaged 20.5 points (led the ACCAC) and 9.7 rebounds (second in the ACCAC) as he played and started in 28 games. He also averaged 3.6 assists and one block per game. James shot 46.2 percent from the field, 38.6 percent from three-point range and 75.1 percent from the free throw line.
Acedo was selected second team All-ACCAC and first team All-Region, Division II. He was second on the team in scoring averaging 17.4 points per game as he played and started in 29 games. He also averaged 5.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 block. Acedo shot 44.4 percent from the field, 40.9 percent from three-point range and was 84.3 percent from the foul line. He had nine games where he hit five 3-pointers or more.
This list was updated all year in an effort to recognize all former local prep stars who had gone on to achieve either academic and/or athletic awards at the next level. These are not high school awards but college and professional awards. NOT CHAMPIONSHIPS. If you are aware of anything I have missed along the way, please let me know.
Deion James/Basketball
Empire (2015)/Pima
ACCAC Co-Player of the Year (3/2)
ACCAC 1st Team (3/2)
First Team All-Region I, D-II (3/2)
Emilio Acedo/Basketball
Salpointe (2011)/Pima
ACCAC 2nd Team (3/2)
First Team All-Region I, D-II (3/2)
Sydni Stallworth/Basketball
Palo Verde (2015)/Pima
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (1/17)
National Player of the Week (1/20)
ACCAC 1st Team (3/1)
First Team All-Region I, D-II (3/1)
ACCAC D-II Player of the Year (3/1)
Denesia Smith/Basketball
Buena (2014)/Pima
ACCAC D-II Player of the Week (2/21)
ACCAC 2nd Team (3/1)
First Team All-Region I, D-II (3/1)
Brianna Aguilar-Beaucage/Softball
Salpointe (20160/Grand Canyon
WAC Pitcher of the Week (2/27)
Brooklyn Beardshear/Softball
Sahuaro (2013)/Dixie State
PacWest Pitcher of the Week (2/20)
PacWest Pitcher of the Week (2/27)
Franky Teran/Basketball
Pueblo (2011)/ Antelope Valley
Cal Pac Player of the Week (1/30)
Andrew Mike/Football
Sabino (2014)/Florida
2016 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll (2/8)
Dylan Greenberg/Football
Salpointe (2013)/Kentucky
2016 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll (2/8)
Madeline Bolin/Swimming
Ironwood Ridge (2014)/West Virginia
2017 Academic All-Big 12 First Team (2/21)
Nick Estrella/Baseball
Ironwood Ridge (2016)/Azusa Pacific
PacWest Freshman of the Week (2/14)
Kayla Green/Softball
Cienega (2015)/New Mexico State
Preseason All-WAC Team (2/1)
Trey Stine/Baseball
Ironwood Ridge (2013)/Pima/New Mexico State
Preseason All-WAC Team (2/8)
Zach Malis/Baseball
Desert Christian (2015)/Grand Canyon
Preseason All-WAC Team (2/8)
Kelsey Jenkins/Softball
Sabino (2014)/Wisconsin
Fastpitch News Preseason Top 50 College Hitters (1/23)
Fastpitch News Preseason All-American (1/25)
DI Softball News Preseason Top 50 Watch List (1/31)
Alex Verdugo/Baseball
Sahuaro (2014)/Oklahoma City Dodgers
Mlbpipeline.com Prospect Watch (1/29)
Tristan Peterson/Baseball
Canyon del Oro (2016)/Kansas State
Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (1/25)
Marc Matthews/Basketball
Buena (2012)/Montana State
GNAC Player of the Week (1/2)
D-II National Player of the Week (1/3)
Portions from news release.
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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. Andy was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com